Hi and a Merry Christmas to everyone on the forum, i look on everyday but just a bit shy to chat on here, everyone seems so friendly and helpfull to.

Daft question time im afraid, just wanted to know how often you should change your lines, since September till about end of November ive been out fishing just about most weekends.

I have a floating an intermediate and a sinking line, and wondered what the normal life of a line was, im a newb so the line does get a bit of thrashing with my more than dodgy casting.

Also im looking for someone in my area that is still going out fishing to tag a long with im more than happy to pay for fuel as i dont drive myself.

Thank you and heres to a Happy and prosperous new year

Morning flingfrog just hang around someone from your neck of the woods will be around, on changing you line I,ve been fishing since I was 18 now 57 and in that time only changed my lines when they no longer float correctly, try cleaning your lines I use Johnsons baby wipes if safe enough for our most precious gift then they must be safe enough for a fishing line. There are some very good lines out there including from our own Pitsford pirate; Mike Barrio and John Norris's economy and premium fly lines.Barrio Fly Lines , Pitsford Pirate 'Castaway' Fly Lines, Fly Fishing Lines | Floating Lines | Sinking Lines › Page 1

Some lines seem to last longer than others so rather than thinking about how long you've had the line, look at its condition.
Badly worn lines will start to crack. The outer coating will seem rough to the touch, bits of the plastic coat will start to break away.
Some lines so very "wirey" - they get very stiff and it is difficult to figure of eight with them. others coil badly and will not lie straight on the water.
Floating lines start to sink as the broken outer coat lets in water.
Any of the above signs will be an indication that it is time to change your line
Hope this is of some help
Paul

You change your line when it stops perfoming as it should do..a floater will develop cracks and feel rough and start sinking, generally belly first. It won't shoot easily as it did when new.

Sinkers will develop cracks and again performance and fishing pleasure will be hampered when the cracks start catching on the rings stopping the line shooting properly and catching in the tip ring at the cracks whilst playing fish.

As to longevity of fly lines, this is a difficult question to answer! Sinkers will last longer than floaters generally, unless your using fast sinkers with a lot of tungsten particles in them, they tend to crack much faster. Which brand of line you use will also determine line life. The terrain you fish will effect line life...whether you use a line tray or not. How often you use a particular line will effect line life and if your standing on the loose coils will effect line life.

You will know when it's time to be thinking about replacing a line, rest assured.

Hope this helps.

A decent line should last a season or more but as you say it does depend upon how and where your lines are used.

If you're casting is a bit 'agriculural' then yes the line will suffer if it's beaten on a dam wall or stones, wrapped around tree or trodden on. it's also good practice to regularly clean your lines to stop the build up of fine abransive particles in muck.

The tell tale signs are when the plastic coating begins to crack - more likely in your floating line than the intermediate or sinking lines which by their nature are tougher.

I have some lines that are now many years old and still going strong but some need replaing every couple of years.

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Thanks for the tips guys, i didnt even think about using baby wipes to clean my line, and yep my lines have been trodden on stuck up trees and battered off stones ive even had one stuck up a boat mast (dont ask) lol.

I was just about to change them aswell guess ive saved myself some money

Keep dipping on to the forum in these tight days there are some good tips and banter on here. Not everyone is an SPL player.

For what it's worth, I've tried repairing lines with small splits in them with both superglue and with shrinkwrap sleeves.
I don't think it's worth the effort.
If they aren't damaged, then a quick clean will sort them out. You can also use warm water and a drop of washing up liquid.
If you are going through a lot of lines in short order - the John Norris basic lines are quite adequate and I think that their Pro2 lines are still on offer. Not a bad price compared to the top end of the market.

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

and some good deals to be had can highly recommend the Pirates lines

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WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

Thanks again guys, hey Noel im more Highland league than SPL the way i cast im surprised that i dont trip up the fisherman next to me.(if it was Ibrox it would be a penalty) HaHa no offence to any hu.... i mean Rangers supporters.


When i do replace my lines i have noticed that Airflo and Greys are pretty reasonable for there prices.

Saw the John Norris site to not bad prices, im quite lucky in one way as i have an Angling shop about 300yrds down the road from me, the next shop is 17 miles from me in Dundee.