The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

anyone tried the "new" scientific anglers sharkskin line? care to share your feedback?

(and yes, i know it's super pricey - but am still interested in your impressions of the line if you have experience with it)

thanks in advance.

My son and I entered a little competition at the ISE show trying to cast into a cup. They had a sharkskin line on a Scott S4 rod. I did not get to do any real distance casting but you sure can feel the texture of the line while casting. I guess the idea is to have less surface area touching the guides. I'm beginning to wonder if this line will wear out the guides must faster than conventional lines. Sorry was not much help but it sure feels different and may take a little getting used to using it.

Jet

Dude, I had a client on the LS a few weeks ago, and he had a 'sharkskin' line.

By 1pm, he was bleeding at the crease in his stripping finger from stripping in to recast. Granted it was raining and his skin was softer, but it did some damage for sure.
Scales going one way = smooth. Going the other way = rough.

sd

dude - you had a client catch fish? now that's impressive. (just kidding obviously)
hope all is well up there - gonna try and get up to see you soon - if family and work life permits
off to chile (el saltamontes) in march - not sure if i'll be up before - but soon after definitely...
thanks for the sharkskin info - they're sure getting good press, but i figured someone out there might have the real skinny.
all the best to you and your lady...(and

btw - that at the end was supposed to say "and B" - i guess a B followed by a ) results in a

later

"And whistle while you work
Come on get smart, tune up and start
To whistle while you work"

I tried it out at the FAOL Idaho fish-in last fall. It *grated* through the guides, and for me, didn't cast any better than any other line. After about ten casts I handed the rod back to the guy who was espousing it as the next best thing to sliced bread, and got on with my life. I hear it will last longer than normal line, does NOT pick up grit, does NOT wear guides, and all that stuff, but then again if you paid a hunnerd bucks for a line, wouldn't you be trying to convince yourself it had been a good idea?

DG? Be that you?

'tis I. Lost my handle in the changeover to the new format, figured the blue fur would be a better disguise. Don't post much (obviously), either.

DG

Well, it's good to see you back around these parts. Let's hear more 1wt stories!

I have been using the Sharkskin line for about a month. What SD mentioned about the cutting of your finger is very true. The first time out after a couple of hours my finger started to sting and I looked and saw blood right in the crease of my finger where I had been stripping the line. I also talked with someone else who has had the same experience. With that said I just bought one those stripping finger guard the salt water fly fishers use and no more problem. I think the line does cast a little better but I am not the greatest caster in the world. Also the line makes a distinctive whistling sound when you strip it through the guides. I didn't have to pay for the line so I am not out anything but I am not sure if the line is worth the extra money.

I would have cast one at the San Mateo ISE but I can't cast right now. From the reviews I've heard elsewhere and those written here I believe that this line is destined to go the way of many other innovations after a year or two.