The cold weather and water has been playing havoc with my lines. I have a Cortland Sylk. Anyone have any experience with this line? How does it stand up to the cold?
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Cortland Sylk Line
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 Bud |
Cortland Sylk Line |
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Master Guide
Posts: 643 (01/05/08 11:46:21) |
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SmallCreek |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Guide
Posts: 134 (01/05/08 11:53:04) |
I don't quite understand. You have a sylk line that's giving you grief, or you haven't tried it yet?
The sylk line is made for cold weather. If it doesn't work you have no better choice. The problem with it is it's made for cold weather, and becomes too supple in hot weather. Sometimes it will even stick to itself. I had to give up on real silk, because it's gets so stiff in cold weather it made me laugh. The Cortland peach is not bad in the cold. Have you tried it? The Clear Creek is the same line as the sylk with a different taper. It should be good in the cold too. Pete
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Bud |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 643 (01/05/08 11:55:44) |
Have not tried the Sylk. I am getting ready to spool it up. You are right about using in the heat. That's why it is not on the reel. Peach isn't bad, but could be better.
Thanks for the input....I will try the sylk. |
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Fly Goddess |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Guide
Posts: 123 (01/05/08 13:20:44) |
I don't know of any line that is like SYLK taper or no taper, but Pete definitely reads more than I do, I just go for it hands on and if it works, BONUS.
Sylk is wonderful in the cold. A new addition to that will be the Selective Trout by Rio, but a little more scratch and as you said, you already have the Sylk. For the record, I have had NO problems with sylk hot or cold. I have used uit all last summer and you know how hot it got, it just got better. There was an issue with sticky, but that was mostly High Humidity situations. This is my 4th year of using Sylk on a regular basis. I don't believe Sylk was made for Cold weather, it was made for smaller guides like the older bamboo. |
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Fly Goddess |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Guide
Posts: 123 (01/05/08 13:39:10) |
Let me make a correction on my last post, SYLK was made for Bamboo's and Glass rods and works great on any full flex rod.
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 Cameron |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Posts: 3901 (01/05/08 13:43:46)
Administrator &
Chat Room Host |
Bud...I've got four or five of the Cortland Sylk lines and I've not had the first issue with any of them...in cold or warm weather. I believe the issues with these lines came the year or so after they were introduced and Cortland just hadn't worked out the kinks yet.
 It really is kind of neat that a line that was made for bamboo works so well on fiberglass rods. I can't see any of the fly line companies making a series of lines just for fiberglass...so it is good that Sylk is such a good match. (And yes...the color match of the line with fiberglass rod blanks is cool too!) |
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SmallCreek |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Guide
Posts: 134 (01/05/08 13:48:32) |
Joni,
I was passing on what Cortland told me. They did say besides making the sylk for bamboo and glass that another goal was to stay supple in cold weather. I was also surprised that he told me the Creek was the same construction as the sylk, but with a longer taper/tip for spring creeks. It should cast even more delicate than the sylk. I'd like to use a sylk line, but i'm turned off by no loop. Do you have a good way to put a loop in the line without adding any mono to it. Just loop the line somehow? I know you're good at stuff like that. I suck at it and end up with a bulky mess. Pete
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Fly Goddess |
Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Guide
Posts: 123 (01/05/08 14:22:52) |
I do. I got it from a magazine a few years back. It will require Fly Tying Thread, a bobbin (makes it much easier) and a dab of Zap-A-Gap.
Cut the very end of you fly line at an angle. Fold it over creating what ever size loop you want, I prefer very tiny. Hold the tag and the fly line with one hand and then grab the thread with the same hand. Start wrapping the thread around as you would in Guide wraps however it is okay if you over lap. This is where the bobbin comes in, after you have several wraps holfing the two together, start swinging the bobbin around. You do have to adjust the bobbin a head of time to hold the thread fairly secure. Cover the tag and maybe a 1/2" to boot with thread, then either whip finish or use the floss/couple of wraps/thread and pull technic. I prefer the whip, but I tie. Clip the thread and add either a dab of Zap-A-Gap (which WILL form a hard spot) or try Knot Sense which will be a little more flexable. Either way the spot is small enough it doesn't change anything.  A little tip: If you use a bright colored thread it will also work as an indicator. Also taking a hair Dryer to Knot Sense makes it very watery, thus, coating the threads well and able to smooth it out. This is soo smooth going through guides. |
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majicwrench |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 1335 (01/05/08 14:27:46) |
I make loops in my lines by stripping back about 3" of the coating, soak it in nail polish remover helps, Then just fold core into a loop, and take your fly-tying bobbin and spin it round-and-round. Tough to explain, let the bobbin hang, and you hold the line with left hand and the loop with right hand, then get bobbin spinning around. Finish it just like you would a guide wrap on a rod. Coat threads with something, I have used epoxy and aquaseal among other things. Will last for years.
Keith |
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SmallCreek |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Guide
Posts: 134 (01/05/08 15:49:24) |
Cameron,
Do the lines run light like I keep reading from owners of the line? Moose says the rod I have a true 3wt. Should I use a 4wt line? I do lots of close casting. Pete
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Cameron |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Posts: 3901 (01/05/08 16:05:15)
Administrator &
Chat Room Host |
SmallCreek...I am likely the last person you should ask super technical questions like that to. I am a self described "hack"...in casting...and likely gear assessment as well. HA...
Saying that...I've only used the Sylk lines in DT's. No WF's. I've been happy with all the DT's I've used and they seem to be exact on the rods that I've used them on...which so far has been a McFarland five weight, a couple of five weight Heddon's, and most recently a four weight honey Lamiglass (though Barry has me thinking that my four weight Lamiglass might like a Sylk 5DT a little better than the 4DT...or it just changes the personality a bit). |
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SAltsh |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Guide
Posts: 103 (01/05/08 17:50:02) |
I too haven't had any problems hot or cold weather with the Sylk line. Other than on certain slower bamboo rods, I've really like it on my Lami blank. On my McFarland(8'3" 5 wt.) and my Scott(the 7'6" 4 wt) I've really like the Rio Selective Trout DT lines - have felt just right.
Regards, Steve |
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bulldog1935 |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Posts: 5394 (01/05/08 17:57:01) Administrator |
I'm agreeing to all of these and adding one more.
I like the Airflo ridge lines, and the Japan special taper (only available from Blue Dun Fly Shop in Tokyo) is an exceptional line on glass and cane. |
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jgestar |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Posts: 4303 (01/05/08 19:30:17) ezOP |
For a couple other fly line loop methods see: bjanzen's strong loop method and my superglue loop method (make sure you test it before use!).
I haven't weighed a Sylk fly line yet. They are a smaller diameter and might feel lighter. On the other hand, plenty of lines are heavier than AFFTA standards. If someone compares a Sylk to a line designed "to better load fast-action graphite rods", then the Sylk will feel considerably lighter. Quote:One of my father's long time golf buddies was a voracious reader about the sport. He read TOO much. He was thinking about the stuff he had read ALL the time. For a guy that really, really, loved golf, he had one of the most fugly swings I've ever seen. A good golf game comes from playing lots of golf. Joni has the right idea - just take it to the water and go for it! Tom By the way, Rio discontinued the Selective Trout in favor of the Selective Trout II. Watch for fly shops quietly closing out the older line. I've picked some up lately at almost price! |
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SmallCreek |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Guide
Posts: 134 (01/05/08 20:28:59) |
I get that a lot Tom. I'm actually on the water much more than reading. However, I have to do something at night after the flies are all tied.
I've already tried the Rio Selective Trout II. It's a really nice line. It has a new coating that floats better and shoots better than the old line. It seems to stay cleaner too. The best part is it has very little memory, but I did try it before it got too cold. Pete
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flyflingerandy |
Re: Cortland Sylk Line | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 356 (01/05/08 20:48:26) |
That loop method looks great, how does it hold up to a VERY large fish and a VERY strong run?
Andy
got bit by the glass rodding bug! |
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Mojorizing |
Sylk | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 592 (01/05/08 22:24:39) |
I gave up Sylk in favor of Rio's ST II. I thought it (Sylk) was a good line, but the tip is too skinny to keep floating after a few casts. STII works great in cccoooollllldddd weather and stays afloat.
Getting back to the Sylk- I never had any problems that I heard some of the the first Sylks had- i.e. sticky, won't come off the spool etc. I've had a couple in 4w DT and 5w DT and 5w WF. All were bought in the first 2 years Cortland came out with them. My biggest bitch was the non-floating tip section. I use Uni-thread furled leaders and grease them with Mucillin. Just got in the habit of greasing the first 6' of the Sylk. Got STII this past year and it works on my cane, 'glass and graphite sticks. Probably going to sell the lines come spring. Bottom line for me is it's a great idea for older 'boo with the smaller guides and it's very supple with little memory. I just think the STII is better for the fishing I do. |
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wb4tjh |
Re: Sylk | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 375 (01/06/08 21:02:49) |
I have had a Sylk DT6 for about 6 months that I fish on an 8 foot Dickerson 8014 taper bamboo. I really like the way it casts...like a bullet. I have not used it in any really cold weather yet. (It just doesn't get too cold here in subtropical South Florida). But I have fished it in hot weather, and it handles just fine. I like the way the smaller diameter cuts thru the wind.
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Rockthief |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1443 (01/06/08 23:50:34) |
this topic has reminded me I need to send my line back to Cortland. It sticks all the time in the cool or the hot and I got so fed up with it I put it away and forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder. I want a new line.
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Bamboozle |
Re: ! | ||
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Guide
Posts: 197 (01/07/08 12:30:52) |
The limpest cold weather lines I have used are the Selective Trout followed by the Sci Anglers XPS. Another line I have that is fantastic in the cold is the Rio Classic with the Lumilux coating. Unfortunately that line was discontinued by Rio a few years ago.
One thing I have discovered about cold weather and fly lines is the older the line; the limper it stays. You really have to break-in a fly line to get the coating to be at its most flexible. Unfortunately if you use WF lines the coils will typically happen on the running line which may never see much use if you fish smaller streams like I do. If you use DT lines and plan on fishing some of them in the winter; try swapping ends a few times during the course of the season to break in the "other" end that stays coiled up on the arbor all season long. I did that with my Rio Lumilux and the thing is as limp as 20 minute linguine. A large arbor reel will help a "wee" bit but large coils are no substitute for a broken-in fly line. I tried a SYLK once on my bamboo rods and hated it for the aforementioned reasons. The taper is nothing unique and its biggest advantage is a smaller diameter which has advantages on older rods with smaller guides. Since I don't have many rods with smaller guides I found it to be useless FOR ME. I really think that the hype regarding SYLK's suitability for bamboo is just that; hype. I bet nobody fishing cane would go near the stuff if it was called PLASTYC instead of SYLK and was hot orange instead of that mustard color that looks great on a bamboo. I fish regular lines with standard tapers like the Rio Classic, 444, or Sci Angler's Trout on my bamboo & glass rods and I couldn't be happier with the performance. JMHO |
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Fly Goddess |
Re: ! | ||
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Guide
Posts: 123 (01/07/08 12:45:36) |
I really think that the hype regarding SYLK's suitability for bamboo is just that; hype. I bet nobody fishing cane would go near the stuff if it was called PLASTYC instead of SYLK and was hot orange instead of that mustard color that looks great on a bamboo. I fish regular lines with standard tapers like the Rio Classic, 444, or Sci Angler's Trout on my bamboo & glass rods and I couldn't be happier with the performance.
First off, I want to say I admire you Bamboozle and mean no disrespect. I didn't buy the line cause of it's name but I did buy it because it was hyped as a Glass/Bamboo line. I don't care what color it is cause I use a leader to the fish not the line. The line is just to get my leader/tippet/fly or flies out there. Diffrent strokes for different folks. You don't like it, that doesn't mean it is bad. Several on here do like it, so again it's up to the individual. Plus I don't fish the OLDER bamboos and my glass are custom with normal guides, but I still prefer the smaller diameter adn personally feel that it shoots better with a noodle stick. I will agree on the Selective Trout being and equal and I am not familiar with the others you mentioned so no comment other than I know you would know. On other words IMHO, I don't see it as HYPE, but fact, but that is ME. |
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- Welcome, Messages, Claves, News, and FAQs
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- Fiberglass Fly Rods For Sale
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