Kfish
WFF Supporter
I recently bought a Artic Silver fly line to try it out since they now have a USA distributor in Georgia.
This braided core line is from Norway and it's claim to fame lies in the micro diameter running line. The manufacturer states that the thin running line makes it much easier to cast and travels faster through the air with less resistance. It's compact taper head is 224 grain for #6 line and is 27ft long. It comes with welded loop at both ends, total length is 98ft. Cost is $69, comes in a neat magnet hatch paper box with fly holder lining. Had they made this out of plastic it would have made for a neat little fly box.
First impression:
This feels like a high quality fly line, handles much like the supple Airflo 40+. Line is smooth throughout with no texturing but it does seem to have some kind of slick coating that helps it feed thru the guides and casts well.
The baby blue running line diameter is noticeably thinner than most flyline out there, it feels and handles more like a spey setup.
The head has a short rear taper, about 2-2.5ft long while the front taper is more gradual at around 5ft and terminates with a thin tip. It has a pale lighter blue color compared to the running line.
Blue running line compared to chartreuse Rio CQS's running line, it's noticeably thinner.
Casting: This line casts really well and can shoot a mile with the running line this thin.
With a Scott Meridian #6 medium-fast rod, it loads quickly with a couple of false casts, give it a haul and it will rip! The running line is very supple and smooth, I did not encounter any tangles after a few hours of fishing this morning, and this was in about 47deg F air temp. In my experience, if it lays down smooth in the basket then it will depart smooth.
Almost the entire 98ft can be thrown out there with some double hauling.
Handling: Being a braided core it has very little stretch. Stripping is smooth over the finger. The only downside to having a thin running line is that it's a bit harder to have the feel when you're wearing gloves, especially with liner gloves under latex. It's not that big of a deal however, with gloves off it's a joy to handle.
Fishing:
The head sinks at approximately 1.5-2in per second but the running line will float however. I was hoping that the running line would sink as well but it does not. Perhaps with the thinner running line will cut through the waves easier and won't be affected much...who knows. Today was very calm so I don't know how it will handle the chops on windy days. I don't know how the wind would affect how this line casts either, more fishing time is needed.
Overall this is a really fun line to fish with, it casts well, doesn't tangle, handles well and clearly adds distance to my casts. I don't mind the light blue head but rather kind of like it, would be better if it was clear though. The only bummer is the floating running line, other than that I will definitely fish it a lot more this winter.
This braided core line is from Norway and it's claim to fame lies in the micro diameter running line. The manufacturer states that the thin running line makes it much easier to cast and travels faster through the air with less resistance. It's compact taper head is 224 grain for #6 line and is 27ft long. It comes with welded loop at both ends, total length is 98ft. Cost is $69, comes in a neat magnet hatch paper box with fly holder lining. Had they made this out of plastic it would have made for a neat little fly box.
First impression:
This feels like a high quality fly line, handles much like the supple Airflo 40+. Line is smooth throughout with no texturing but it does seem to have some kind of slick coating that helps it feed thru the guides and casts well.
The baby blue running line diameter is noticeably thinner than most flyline out there, it feels and handles more like a spey setup.
The head has a short rear taper, about 2-2.5ft long while the front taper is more gradual at around 5ft and terminates with a thin tip. It has a pale lighter blue color compared to the running line.
Blue running line compared to chartreuse Rio CQS's running line, it's noticeably thinner.
Casting: This line casts really well and can shoot a mile with the running line this thin.
With a Scott Meridian #6 medium-fast rod, it loads quickly with a couple of false casts, give it a haul and it will rip! The running line is very supple and smooth, I did not encounter any tangles after a few hours of fishing this morning, and this was in about 47deg F air temp. In my experience, if it lays down smooth in the basket then it will depart smooth.
Almost the entire 98ft can be thrown out there with some double hauling.
Handling: Being a braided core it has very little stretch. Stripping is smooth over the finger. The only downside to having a thin running line is that it's a bit harder to have the feel when you're wearing gloves, especially with liner gloves under latex. It's not that big of a deal however, with gloves off it's a joy to handle.
Fishing:
The head sinks at approximately 1.5-2in per second but the running line will float however. I was hoping that the running line would sink as well but it does not. Perhaps with the thinner running line will cut through the waves easier and won't be affected much...who knows. Today was very calm so I don't know how it will handle the chops on windy days. I don't know how the wind would affect how this line casts either, more fishing time is needed.
Overall this is a really fun line to fish with, it casts well, doesn't tangle, handles well and clearly adds distance to my casts. I don't mind the light blue head but rather kind of like it, would be better if it was clear though. The only bummer is the floating running line, other than that I will definitely fish it a lot more this winter.
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