RIO Announces Streamer Tip Line

03.01.2011– 2011 (Idaho Falls, ID) – RIO, manufacturer of fly fishing lines, leaders, tippets, and accessories, brings the new StreamerTip® line to market for 2011. For anglers who love stripping streamers, casting them just got easier thanks to this new line.

Throwing streamers is an essential tool in any fly fisherman’s arsenal, and RIO’s new StreamerTip line allows casting all sizes of streamers with ease. This new line is based on the Outbound Short profile, and has a front loaded weight and aggressive front taper to easily turn over even the heaviest flies. The 10 foot clear tip that sinks at a 1.5 to 2 inch per second rate is ideal for stripping streamers just under the surface. It is a perfect line for anglers fishing from a drift boat who need to make fast, one-shot casts to the bank getting the fly to where it is needed effortlessly. Each line is manufactured with a coldwater coating featuring XS Technology for extreme slickness. All lines also feature welded loops on both the front and back ends of the line for streamlined gear changes.

RIO’s new StreamerTip Line is available at retailers around the globe in four sizes each at a length of 90 feet; WF5F/I, WF6F/I, WF7F/I and WF8F/I at a suggested retail price of $74.95. These lines have a clear tip followed by a yellow body and pale green running line.

About RIO Products:

is a pioneer in developing fly lines, leaders and tippet material to enhance fly fishing experiences across the globe. Offering premium fly lines for both freshwater and saltwater fishing applications, RIO consistently utilizes field experience and scientific testing to create the best products on the market for anglers. Founded 20 years ago in the mountains of Idaho, RIO continues to develop innovative products, design revolutionary tapers and refine performance-driven fly line technologies. For more information about RIO Products, please visit www.rioproducts.com

Gear: Rio Announces New Saltwater Fly Line

Rio products announces another addition to their fly line offerings for 2011. The Saltwater Outbound® Short.

From their press release:

11.29.2010– The new Saltwater OutBound Short from RIO is an incredibly easy loading, fast casting line that gives fly fishers a huge advantage when targeting moving fish. The front-weighted head is slightly heavier than the AFTMA standard, empowering this line to load a rod instantly, and with an overall head length of only 30 feet and a short rear taper, it easily allows anglers to make fast, one-shot casts.

RIO designs lines to give anglers an advantage in every fishing scenario, and the new Saltwater Outbound Short is no exception. It has a 10 ft long clear, intermediate tip that is ideal for spooky fish and for coping with tough winds, and features a hard, tropical coating, manufactured with AgentX, DualTone and XS Technologies for the maximum in slickness and performance. The line is built on an easy-stretching, medium stiff core that ensures the line does not wilt in the heat and includes welded loops on both ends for fast, easy rigging.The RIO Saltwater Outbound Short is ideal for fast moving fish such as tarpon, permit and trevally. They are available between WF8 and WF12, with a MSRP of $79.95, from all authorized RIO dealers. More info is available via the Rio Products website.

The Fly Line of Many Colors

It may be, that Mike has The Lanyard of Power, but behold: The Fly Line of Many Colors!

Shooting head testing continues

It's time to continue shooting head testing. I have made few Shooting heads for my 5 weight rod. There is a short floating line (about 7 meters or 23 feet of DT8F). It is good and easy to cast, but it is bit shorter than I like. So I have cheap DT7F that I try next. I also have fast sinking head made of old WF8 sink tip line and sinking one made of DT6S.

The question is: why to do this with relatively light 5 weight rod?
My answer: Why not? With DT7 head, I can cast streamers really well and my outfit is still light.

Have you made custom shooting heads?

From Shooting Heads

Testing rods and lines

Now when my favourite fly rod is broken I have tried out my other rods with different lines. To my surprise some strange combinations work to some extent at least.

Maybe the biggest surprise is my old 8 weight rod. This 8'6" rod casts 7 weight DT line very well, but this is natural as you might even call it 7/8 weight rod. However I was able to cast some 20-23 meter casts with this rod using 5 weight Rio WindCutter line. It didn't shoot that well but I was able to keep most of the line in the air before final forward cast. It did require lot of double hauling thou.