9 wt Intermediate Line

[JGH]

Well, I now have a reason to buy a new fly line . . . A good-sized bluefish took off on me yesterday morning while I had a tangle in the stripped line and I pulled the line tight to avoid the birds-nest from hitting the guides and, in the process, broke off the fish and created an an impenetrably tight knot out of the tangle. The line was a 9 wt. Scientific Anglers clear intermediate striper line, and was a well-used 4 years old, so I was due for a new line anyway.

I'm looking for another 9 wt intermediate line, to pair with a TFO TiCr 8 wt rod. (Overlining seems to work for me.) The SA line was okay, but the twists and tangling in the running line annoyed me. This could partly be my fault, but just the same I'm interested in trying something new. I've heard good things about Airflo lines. Any opinions on that line and any others would be appreciated. Many thanks.

-- JGH

(Note, I did search existing threads before posting this, and there's not much out there on this question recently.)

[bunker]

I'm using a Rio clear intermediate this year and love it. Very smooth casting and doesn't have a lot of memory.
They have a neat trick in their info about taking care of line twist. You hold the rod loosely in your left hand and spin it with your right hand several times. If the line seems to be more twisted reverse the spin until it straightens out. I've tried it and it works.

Mike D.

[Eddy Merckx]

I'll second Bunker's recommendation. I started using the Rio clear intermediate this year too, and am also very pleased. I overlined my 9 wt. rod with the 10 wt. line.

[formula1]

I like the new Sci Anglers lines so that's where I would vote but I've heard good things about the Rio as well. One thing that will help prevent twist is to cast the entire amount of line you have out - leaving large amounts at your feet or stripping basket invariably seems to cause twisting. If I get twist what I do is cast all the line I have out hard so that it takes it right up to the reel hard. Usually one cast is all I need to get the twist out - I typically try to clear the line on every cast and not leave a lot in reserve.

[peter mac]

JGH,
I have to vote for the Airflo clear Int line, I have fished it for 3 years now and feel it handles the varying conditions better than anything else on the market. I fish it on my 8, 9 & 10wts. I also over line by 1 on every wt.
Peter Mac

[tclprin]

We cast the Orvis Wonderline across Duxbury Bay! (almost). Smooth as silk. And we are no experts!

[Markymark]

I don't think there is a "perfect" line,All the years in the salt, I still get tangles here and there.From my observations,it seems like it will tangle more with a "clouser" type fly. I have tried the Cortland,Orvis and still tangled,now I use the Airflo clear intermediate,had it 3yrs. and also tangles once in awhile,but the line is still like the day I took it out of the box!

[SageBoy]

I was a SA fan until I tried Rio. Now all of my lines are Rio. I also had the same issues with the SA lines as you described. Could have also been user error as well.

[RogerStg]

Re: knotted line - been there, done that. You can probably save your line by spraying the knot with silicone, then using a blunt needle (darning needle I think) to pry the knot apart. Usually, just a little spit and working the edges of the knot with my thumbnail works for me.

Of course, I would never suggest that you should not buy a new line anyway. ;)

[ruge13]

All my lines are Rio. Love them.

[albacized]

what do you folks think about the courtland 555 tunny line (camo colored)? i bought this line 2 years ago and haven't spooled it on yet because my clear intermediate sci angler strper lines that are now discontinued (i have 2 of these) are still in good shape. if i recall correctly, sci angler still sells a version of that line but in blue color vs clear.

[teflon_jones]

what do you folks think about the courtland 555 tunny line (camo colored)? i bought this line 2 years ago and haven't spooled it on yet because my clear intermediate sci angler strper lines that are now discontinued (i have 2 of these) are still in good shape. if i recall correctly, sci angler still sells a version of that line but in blue color vs clear.

i just bought one of these little tunny lines too (WF8I), but i haven't tried it out yet. maybe i'll have a chance this weekend...