I'm thinking about buying the 2007 model of this line. How does it compare to the newer tactical trout lines? Does it have any memory or durability
problems? Would I be better off buying one of the new models?
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Airflo Ridge Presentation Line?
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 bassackwards |
Airflo Ridge Presentation Line? |
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Master Guide
Posts: 416 (04/14/09 07:43:08) |
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wacokid54 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 536 (04/14/09 16:38:13) |
I have several of those. I am really pleased with the way they cast and handle. Not too pleased with the way the tips (first 5 feet) start sinking fairly
soon after cleaning and treating. I am gonna give Zipcast a try (see thread on cleaning lines) to see if that cures the problem.
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 4965 (04/14/09 16:57:55) Administrator |
I really like my Airflo Ridge Presentation Line.
I use braided-butt leaders for trout fishing, which totally solves any line-swamping issues with any line.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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Zenkoanhead.clarksclassicfl... |
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Guide
Posts: 57 (04/14/09 18:30:22) |
I reviewed the line over on the ultralight forum on April 1. Have not tried the tactical. Don
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scud dog |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1360 (04/14/09 18:32:12) |
I haven't had any "sink-tipping" on the floaters. I've treated both lines with the SA stuff. They're fine. Waco, if the lines sink right
after you clean and treat them...maybe you should try the Zip Cast! Not all cleaners/treatments are good for all lines... Let us know if/how it works. I did
have a little coiling when there was ice in the guides this past winter. Suppose that's to be expected when it's really cold. Airflo had a cold water
line. Wish they'd incorporate that into the Ridgeline... It's fine now that the temps are moderate. Overall, I like the line. It does cast great!
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wacokid54 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 537 (04/14/09 19:36:20) |
Ron, how does a braided butt leader solve line swamping?
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scud dog |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1361 (04/14/09 21:04:26) |
Wacokid's comment about the line sinking right after cleaning it reminds me of dormnant questions I've had. We know most lines are vinyl and the
commercial line cleaners/treatments are likely designed for them. Airflos are polyuerethane. It wears and handles differently than vinyl, so we should assume
it may respond to coatings differently. I'd really like to know how you cleaned the line and what you've coated it with Wacokid. So far, I wipe all the
lines off with water. The coatings I've used are SA and Mucilen green label (I read the silica in green label could harm guide wraps...true?). I
haven't had sinking issues. I do notice some of the lines coil a lot when they age over 5-6 years.
I'm also eager to read Ron's comments on "swamping" and braided leaders. Great phrase! Did anyone ever try that hollow-mono leader material? |
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bassackwards |
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Master Guide
Posts: 417 (04/15/09 07:17:39) |
Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the newer tactical trout line at full price. The shorter front taper should be better for casting Briminators and Llano
Bugs. The presentation lines are on sale for around $30 at the Bear's Den store on ebay, in case anyone is interested in those.
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 4967 (04/15/09 07:53:31) Administrator |
wacokid54 wrote:I rub the braided butt with mucilin and it keeps the fly line up - eventually the braided butt will start sinking from the far end up, but I wring it with a chamois and it's right back on top.
the rods are never obsolete - the marketing is.
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wacokid54 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 538 (04/15/09 09:07:21) |
Thanks, Ron. Sounds like a great way to keep dry flies dry! I like the way braided butt leaders seem to stretch and so protect light tippet and the hook bend
when fighting big fish on light tippet with small flies.
Scud Dog, I was disappointed the way it sank new right out of the box after a half day of fishing.. Do you guys do anything to new lines before you fish them? When I cleaned it, I used a mild solution of Ivory dish soap and water with a 30 minute soak, pulled it through a cloth, rinsed it in lukewarm water, pulled it through a cloth, dried overnight, then treated it with Agent X from Rio. I was still not happy. I guess I expect newer technology lines to stay afloat longer. I am headed out right now tot he Blue River in Silverthorne CO to fish the outlet mall area (Cameron went there last winter) hoping for a midge hatch, or big fish on egg flies. I have a brand new Airflow presentation spooled up on my 1495 to fish with my ProCrest. Good field test for sinking issues, and coiling in the cold. Slight chance of thunder snow this afternoon. wacokid54 |
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bassackwards |
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Master Guide
Posts: 418 (04/15/09 09:43:25) |
Waco,
Did your line have the welded loop on the tip? That should have kept it from soaking up water and sinking. |
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wacokid54 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 539 (04/15/09 17:49:54) |
Yup, welded loop on both ends. This line I fished today had been in my basement for about 7 months, and was new in box onto the 1495 this week. Never been
wet.. Started sinking after 1 hour of dry fly fishing in water as clear and clean as it gets. On the plus side, I landed a beautiful 17" rainbow on the
Procrest!.
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scud dog |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1363 (04/15/09 20:30:16) |
Wacokid,
I've never had an Airflo with a tip that sank. I did have one that coiled like crazy... I returned it. No hassels. The new line sent back promptly! I've been fishing Airflo for 14 years now. They're really good about standing behind their products and they provided me quality service. |
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wacokid54 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 543 (04/16/09 15:33:20) |
Scud Dog, I just sent Airflow an email telling them about my sinking problem and asking for advise. Time will tell.
wacokid54 |
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fred1369 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 22 (04/17/09 18:18:22) |
To prevent a new line without factory loops from "wicking", seal the tip with aquaseal or uv knot sense... just a little. Otherwise the line will
absorb water like a wick and sink. To cure a line that is doing that, you must clean it with a mild soap and water. Then let it dry for a while, I couldn't
tell how long, but it must dry out. Then seal it and add your fly dressing. I hope this helps.
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wacokid54 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 544 (04/17/09 19:03:33) |
Fred, I wish it was that easy! This line has a welded loop. Thanks for the tip, though. I still have some lines in use with ends like that.
wacokid54 |
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bassackwards |
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Master Guide
Posts: 421 (04/19/09 18:46:36) |
I tried out the tactical trout line today. It casts and shoots quite nicely. However, the tip sinks for the first 6-12 inches. The rest of the line just barely
floats. It holds slight s-curves after it lands on the water, and parts of those curves actually go slightly below the surface. I'm thinking about
returning it.
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scud dog |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1364 (04/19/09 20:27:10) |
WACO; I never cleaned an Airflo unless I had too. LOL! I've had one Airflo floater last me over 7 years (vine tangle killed it). Like any line, Airflos
aren't perfect. Tips sinking though? I never had THAT problem with an Airflo floater. I'd be stunned if Airflo doesn't replace your line, no
hassels.
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Lugan123 |
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Guide
Posts: 147 (04/23/09 17:13:41) |
Has anyone else tried a poly leader for dry fly fishing? I have used Airflo poly leaders with a few of my welded loop SA and Rio lines and add monofilament
tippet (flourocarbon seems to sink more readily). This is the highest floating arrangement I've yet used.
Anyone else use this...or have a better idea?
Never corner a
critter meaner than you.
Last Edited By: Lugan123
04/23/09 17:18:28.
Edited 1 times.
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Zenkoanhead.clarksclassicfl... |
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Guide
Posts: 69 (04/23/09 18:30:54) |
A thread furled leader treated with Mucilin rides pretty high. Don
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wacokid54 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 551 (04/23/09 21:47:47) |
Airflo offerred to replace the line. First I am going to try their new line cleaner/conditioner called Whizz Lube. There is an applicator pad built into the
cap which seems like a cool idea. The package is hilarious; a black tube with a color cartoon of a well endowed young lady giving you a big wink. Only the
Brits!
wacokid54 |
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- Welcome, Messages, Claves, News, and FAQs
- Fishing with Fiberglass Fly Rods
- Glass Tech
- Collecting Fiberglass Fly Rods
- What's New on the Market
- Rod Pictures
- Classic Fly Reels
- Another Spin on Glass
- Rod Building & Tackle Tinkering
- The Tying Bench
- Fiberglass Fly Rods For Sale
- Fiberglass Fly Rods Wanted
- Fiberglass Flyrodders Wiki
