hi guys

I normally fish rivers, but once a year I fish the 'European Bank Open' at Clywedog in Wales. Never mind the grand name, it's a great weekend, and a lovely place to be. However, being some 1000ft up, it is prone to some exotic weather.

The main challenge is the wind; it can work for you or against, but it is generally there, sometimes a hooley.

My question is this - can you suggest / recommend a reasonably-priced line that can punch a fairly buggy fly into or up 'n' across a decent blow?

I don't really want to spend out on a new rod, due to the two days in a year I spend on a reservoir. I have a choice of the following:

airflo mt 10ft 6/7
bluetooth 9ft 8wt

I have been using a john norris cheapo wf6f (please don't laugh...), just to avoid costs, but the lovely orvis wf7f line I got with a magazine sub (stolen with most of the rest of my gear) flew through the rings much better and further and easier (this is on the mt). Have never cast the bluetooth in anger.

I can justify one line - which rod, and which line?

Thanks guys - and for anyone who enjoys a good fishing jolly, Clywedog first weekend in June is a good bet.

Dan

I aint laughing about the norris line ... they're actually very good. The john norris "big fly" is a very good line for turning bushy flies over in strong winds.

My current favourite and one that is awesome in winds (bear in mind I fish my local tarns in west cumbria - wind is a fact of life here !!) is the barrio GT140. The continuous rear taper means it is very stable in the air and the "very weight forward" taper really cuts throught the wind. at £24 inc postage, you can't go wrong. I'd recomend the #6 on your airflo.
Heres the website - The Fly Line Shop

Try an Airflo 40 plus. I'ts never let me down in wind. I'd recommend the slow intermediate. It gets the line under water so reduces drag on the line from wind, yet still enables you to fish the uppers layers.

spider and caffers -

thanks for your valued input guys, especially for being so detailed in your advice.

the norris big fly looks a good punt for a tenner, seems to only be for 8wt up, might get one for the bluetooth anyway.

the barrio got a good write up in 3wt, in ff&ft.

tacklebargains do the 40+ for 15 quid. my only concern is that airflo lines seem to get mixed reviews for quality. Don't know what your experience is caffers?

The perceived advantage of the barrio is the claim that it's good for long and short range. On llyn clywedog the fish can be in round your feet, due to the steeply sloping sides in places, and the steep banks make the backcast something of a challenge. foul-hooking a sheep is a real possibility.

This thread has reminded me of the highlights of last year - a rally of 50+ vintage tractors going round the res, and a little girl out with her dad, who asked "daddy, when does the tide come in?" sad thing is the chap didn't know...

thanks again guys

dan

Another vote for the Barrio GT140.
Replaced a Greys Platinum with it recently. Both lines great but the Barrio is £15 less and gives you more distance in to or across the wind (even with my rubbish casting !)

It's a very long line so unless you've got a big reel you'll need to cut some running line off (pic on another thread of Barrio filling a grxi without backing).

I used airflo micro poly backing to avoid shortening it.

Got a meet with a casting instructor next month so I'll ask what he thinks.

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When coastal fishing in Norway I been trying out the Guideline "Bullet" line in #6. I´m no pro when it comes to these matters in coastal fishing but to my experience it has performed extremely well this past spring. It´s been working fine on a pretty speedy rod also. I don´t have any experience what so ever of the line in different classings though.

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Johan "Ersa" Ericsson at www.fattrout.no

My favourite floating flyline for river & lake is the Rio Windcutter!,
I know its not cheap, but it is a really impressive line for fishing in windy conditions.


The first part of the head is a line size smaller, the other part of the head is a line size large, then the running line is high vis.




tip!
dont do what I did last year,
reel your leader onto your reel - it will cut your flyline to bits when it gets stuck, thats what happened to my first rio windcutter last year expensive mistake!

best line for wind is one you keep nice and smooth and tight during the cast.

Another vote for the Barrio 140. Only recently got one (#7) but it is a big help in a bit of a blow. Excellent value for money and very good service too.

Personally I can't get on with the Airflo 40+ lines, at least not the older models. They're a bit too unsubtle. And you do read reports of the head seperating from the running line mid-cast. I know they'#ve got some new ones coming out without the weld but not seen any 'unbiased' reviews of that just yet.

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Andrew W

"Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets." Arthur Miller

The taper of the barrio means the rod will load easier with less line out of the tip.
The long (endless !!) rear taper makes it a great roll caster too, ideal for limited back casts.