The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I bought my occasional fly fishing brother a 3 wt. rod and reel for his 50th birthday. He might use it 10 days a year, unless he gets bitten by the bug.

Cabelas offers a $30. WF line that sounds like it might do the job. I've found that usually, in life, you get what you pay for.

Q1: What's the difference between this line and a $60. line?

Q2: Has anyone used these Cabelas Prestige fly lines?

I've had Cortland 333 on my 3 wt for years and its been fine. I rarely use that rod, and only on small streams where I don't need 50' casts, so I went cheapo ($30)and it works great for me. Might be a little stiff but not a big deal. I also got a type 3 sink line for my 5 weight in the 333 and its been great as well.

Gotta say I do love my nice RIO lines for regular fishing, but I don't see any problems with cheap lines for occasional use.


Matt

Yeah, and the lucky bum will probably only be using it with me on the San Juan River, where he probably won't have to cast more than 20 feet. I figure an 18" bow on a 3 wt. might get him hooked.

I agree that I like my expensive lines for my everyday use..."everyday" being and inexact word for a steelheading desert dweller.

What's the difference between this line and a $60. line?

Bruce, don't get me wrong, but my fuzzy math skills says that the difference would be $30.

Bargain lines or even closeouts offer a real potential value. Have you cast that particular rod with the line? Its your brother for crying out loud, do you think he'll even notice the difference? What if he doesn't catch the bug? You initial investment on a shared passion will not break the bank if he decides it is not for him by going cheap on him. Gawd, let him upgrade if he enjoys the sport.

When my kid was excited about flyfishing, I went out and purchased a complete setup, waders, boots, float tube, etc. After a couple of week long trips, he decides it is not for him. When I asked him why, he explained flyfishing costs too much. What?!?!? He had not sunk a single dime into the sport and now he is telling me is costs too much? I suppose that I should have never tutored him in the fine art of fuzzy math when he was falling behind in his math studies, eh? I still fish with his unused gear and share it with friends that might be interested in taking up the sport. Ah, the joys of housing someone else's stuff.

When you're right, you're right! He really enjoys fishing the Juan with me, but I can't convince him to fish a small PBC poisoned creek near his home that is chock full of browns that glow in the dark.

It's a beautiful little stream in the Valley Forge National Park, where Gen. Washington wintered, and the fishing is open year-round since you can't eat the trout.

He's a slug. I know he'd have a great time if he only put out the effort.

I’m a big Cabalas fan but I did purchase the cheap line and was very disappointed. I couldn’t believe how quickly it started to sink. Bad drift after bad drift. I couldn’t mend at all. I tried cleaning it and reapplying floatant but that didn’t work so I ended up taking it off and putting my 8 year old line back on and it wasnt as bad.

I’m a big Cabalas fan but I did purchase the cheap line and was very disappointed. I couldn’t believe how quickly it started to sink. Bad drift after bad drift. I couldn’t mend at all. I tried cleaning it and reapplying floatant but that didn’t work so I ended up taking it off and putting my 8 year old line back on and it wasnt as bad.

Well, it's ordered so he'll just have to make due. Good thing about Cabelas is you can send almost anything back if it doesn't fit or work right. Thanks for the heads-up.

Ill be interested to see what your experience is with it. maybe I got a defect.

My inexpensive line of choice is the Hook & Hackle Hi-Floater:

http://www...departments.asp?dept=713

The lines are a nice olive green color and come in both DT and WF. They are very durable and cast well.

And at only $32, they are a good deal!


Buzz

I'll look into it, Buzz. Thanx

I picked up a Rio Classic WF line last Spring for my 4wt and liked it so much that I got another one for my 5 wt.

They retail for $45, but you can find them on close-out a lot of times on eBay for very cheap. I paid $30 for each of mine and that was at the beginning of the season!