[Manicosi]

Looking for some fly line recommendations for an 8ft 3wt hardy zephrus for small creek applications with the occasional use in a small pond for sunfish/bream. Currently running the SA Amplitude Trout taper which works great in more open areas but I find it difficult to load the rod in tight spaces. I use RIO gold elite and SA infinity on my 5wt rods and have been very happy with the overall performance but do not have a lot of experience with either in tight spaces. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[mkaseyrat]

I've been pleased with the Rio Gold in tight spaces on my 4wt and 5wt but never cast Rio Gold in 3wt. I'm also currently fishing SA Amplitude Trout on my 3wt.

 

[Manicosi]

I was thinking of trying something with a shorter/heavier head like SA Creek Trout or something similar, I very rarely need to cast my 3wt much farther than about 25-30ft

 

[mkaseyrat]

I don’t recall why but when I paired a line with my 3wt, I was talked out of SA Creek Trout and went with SA Amplitude instead.

 

[WNCtroutstalker]

I was thinking of trying something with a shorter/heavier head like SA Creek Trout or something similar, I very rarely need to cast my 3wt much farther than about 25-30ft

While grain weight is not the whole story with a line, in general the so-called "creek lines" are a line size heavy. So if you have a true-to-weight 4 wt line, you might try that and see what you think. If you decide to go with a new line, in addition to the SA Creek Trout you mentioned, I would check out and consider the Barrio Small Stream II line. I have not cast that line, but I have, and like, the original Barrio Small Stream. It's true to weight, but has a shorter head and so it's effectively overweighted. I don't know about the SS II line, but the original SS does not have factory loops on either end in case that matters to you. Good luck!

 

[Manicosi]

I don’t recall why but when I paired a line with my 3wt, I was talked out of SA Creek Trout and went with SA Amplitude instead.

What taper did you go with in the SA Amplitude line?

 

[Jack Devlin]

Orvis (SA) Superfine WF lines have been working real good for me. 36' head. Very sensitive, no memory, very slippery. I tried the RIO Creek line but the memory/coiling issue made the line unusable for me.

 

[Raspberrypatch]

A favourite is the RIO Lightline

 

[Raspberrypatch]

For a recent build, for a Kabuto 3wt I tested several lines and picked the RIO Lightline ... as documented in the attached blog

Kabuto 663 – 3wt

the artistic image :) I do not like thin handles, full grips are comfortable Keep it simple, and transparent wraps a little blue yes, my name is Wilson and I have a beard with short hair! with smal…

raspberryfisher.wordpress.com

 

[Raspberrypatch]

In my searching for good small creek lines, I also came across the Guideline Fario as a good choice. I also think well of the Cortland Ultralight, whe I want to reach out with a "long" rod.

Guideline WF Fario Lines- a study

As in the previous blogs, you can see my preference to the Guideline Fario Lines, but as they have 4 variants, I thought a deeper comparison was in order, and include the other lies I believe are w…

raspberryfisher.wordpress.com

Not noted in the blogs, but when testing 10' Sage ESN I like it best with the Cortland, but the RIO Guideline was no slouch. But for the 6'6" 3wt Kabuto, it was a reverse win. I think the difference lies in the core and materials in the PVC. The winner between the two was usually linked to the ease to control-form the loop .... wide or tight. Of course a graphite 10' is about as far away as from a 6'6" fiberglass.

 

[Raspberrypatch]

And yes, I do have a rod paired with the Fario.

There are many good choices,

but I note I think there are bad choices, as too many want to create casting cannons and not trout fishing lines - where presentation and mending (mid-air and on water) is important. This is one of those cannons, I avoid.

Everything is subject to their opinion. I just try to explain my opinion, which may not apply to others.

 

[fingerman]

If you use moderate-slow action rods, rio lightline would be a good choice.

 

[Josh_Tizon]

I've really enjoyed my 3wt Rio Technical Trout line on my Sage Sonic 376-4

 

[flyfisher1023]

Looking for some fly line recommendations for an 8ft 3wt hardy zephrus for small creek applications with the occasional use in a small pond for sunfish/bream. Currently running the SA Amplitude Trout taper which works great in more open areas but I find it difficult to load the rod in tight spaces. I use RIO gold elite and SA infinity on my 5wt rods and have been very happy with the overall performance but do not have a lot of experience with either in tight spaces. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Orvis one weight and Sage zero weight have been my go to rods for small creek and medium stream adventures.
Love both, no preference one over the other.