[Skilly]

Mike from the Redshed was kind enogh to send me 6 lines to try on my SS. This makes a total of 10 lines I have tried on it. Most of the lines will cast on the SS, but I have been searching for the line that really hits the sweet spot.

Traditional 9/10 8/9 7/8

The 9/10 and 8/9 were just to heavy and I was not able to cast them well. The 7/8 cast ok but its not the line for me. Its about the right weight, but something about the taper just doesnt do it for me. I had to do everything just right for it to cast well.

MId Spey 8/9
This line is ok and some may like it but the 9/10 Long delta was better for me.

Long Delta 7/8 9/10
The 7/8 is just to light and doesnt load the rod for me. The 9/10 is my choice of lines to use with tips. It casts well and penetrates the wind. I could cast it short or long it was easy to shoot additional line.

Windcutter 7/8/9 + upgrade WC 8/9/10
The WC with the upgrade is very close to the Mid Spey 8/9 Both were just ok for me. The 8/9/10 is ok and easy but does not hit the sweet spot on the SS.

Wulf Triangle Taper #9 # 10

The nine was just a little light in the wind yesterday.

The TT 10 is wonderfull. Finally a line that hits the Steelhead Specialists sweet spot !!!!!!! 60 to 100 ft casts with ease. Cuts right through the wind. So far this is the floating line for me. I do want to try the Jet stream and the 75 ft head SA lines, but they are going to have to compare to the TT 10. I tried all the casts, single ,double,snake, poke, circle and snap T. It did all with ease. Timing was not critical neither was the length of the head out of the rod. Made probably 200 + casts with this line.

Thanks MIke I really appreciate you sending the lines !!

Skilly

 

[JGS]

Thanks for the info. I have cast most of the lines you listed and agreed with your assessment of the Long Delta 9/10. The new SA 8/9 is a great line on the rod as well and my current preference for tips. Also, I have spent a fair amount of time with the XLT 8/9 cut for tips. Fishes well as short to medium distances, but the rod cannot carry the entire line.

For dry line work I like the Traditional 9/10 and was surprised to see you did not like it. Probably just a preference thing at some point.

jgs

 

[Ol Rich]

The JetStream 10/11 is a great line for the Specialist.

Rich

 

[Skilly]

9/10 Traditional

It could be just the difference in our style.

To me it just felt heavy, I had a hard time with the full head Especailly on a double my timing had to be right on for it to cast.
It seemed to load clear into my hands and needed allot more effort than the TT. If I shortened up the head I could cast it better but still not great.

Or it may be just the difference in our rods. Even though they are the same rod there could be a slight difference in the production runs of the blanks.

 

[highlander2]

It is possible for a variance in the blank as no two spey rods are identical, even though manufacturers would like us to believe they are identical. I have cast a few that were not even close. On my ss cnd the 9/10 traditional is only used as a tip line as its not heavy enough as a floater to load the rod to my liking so I have to go up to the 10/11 for a floater.

Brian

 

[Dr. Swing]

SA Shorthead?

Has anybody cast this line on the Steelhead Specialist?????

Broke down and ordered one with our spring line order, have only a little while to cancel if it isn't gonna work.

Help

 

[Skilly]

SA Lines

Mike at the Redshed said he would send Feiger and I one to try. I want to try the one with the 75 ft head.

I will have to say that I am considering selling my Specialist. So I may not end up trying the line.

 

[Moose]

Why are you considering selling it??

 

[juro]

The Steelhead Specialist has been found to cast a broad range of lines very well (search results); it's only a matter of staying within the grain range that works on the rod. JGS above mentions that the new SA 8/9 is a great match, I assume he is talking about the short head spey but I just got an order of lines and have the 8/9 in both short and long and will try them on the steelhead specialist. I'll post a report within the next day or two.

 

[Brian Simonseth]

SA Spey Short Head

Originally posted by Skilly
"It could be just the difference in our style."

Everyone has a different style

I can use this line with no problems, I give this set-up to a freind and he has all kind of problems with it.

 

[Big K1]

Hey Skilly,

You can sell it to me. :devil:

Kevin

 

[Skilly]

Steelhead Spcialist

First let me say there is nothing wrong with the Steelhead Specialist series of rods. The only reason I would consider selling it is a $$$$ thing.

I jumped in and bought the Specialist thinking my son would be coming back to the west coast and that I would have a rod he could use.The job did not pan out and he ended up taking a position in Missisippi with a long term contract.

I already had the CND 1308 Custom and after much casting practice with the two I find that I can cast the two about the same. I can cover the same water in the same wind. The Steelhead Specialist is new, so I may sell it and just keep the Custom.

As long as I have Spey rods I will keep trying different lines on them. So far I seem to like the mid to long belly lines best. The mystery line ( no one knows what it is) with the 75 ft head is the best on the Custom and the Wulff #10 TT casts best for me on the SS. The Long Delta 9/10 is a close second.

 

[JGS]

Lines

Juro,

Good assumption, but I actually bought the SA 8/9 Mid for the Steelhead Specialist and keep the Short Head on my Skagit Specialist. I really like the Mid on the Steelhead and find tips not to be a problem at any distance I would want to fish with the rod.

Stilly,

I have both the Custom 1308SP and the Steelhead. I could see where someone might not like the Steelhead, but the more time I spend with the rod the more versatile I find it. I originally thought I would sell it, but through a winter I find it useful in a lot of situations.

My dilema is now deciding if I need both the Custom and the Skagit. The Skagit is my favorite rod and coupled with a Marquis No. 2, feeld incredibly balanced and light in hand. Although it weighs more, I find it less fatiguing than the Custom. I keep thinking I will keep the Custom for summer work with a MS 7/8, but then I hear about the Greaseliner and Speytrackers and have a feeling my Custom may not make the final cut.

jgs

 

[Brian Simonseth]

Not another finger

JGS
Selling a rod is like cutting off a finger (just ask Old Rich). You have guys (like Big K1) just wanting to snap them up!:hehe:

 

[Skilly]

Sellling??????

My thoughts

If I sell the SS instead of the Custom I wont loose quite as many $$$$ the SS is new. I used the custom for a year. The SS is better suited for B run fish, but the Custom handled several of them last year.

I may just hang onto both of them. That way I have a back up incase something should happen. But then again I may not. Guess it depends if somone wants it. My toy purchases have been reduced now that I am retired.

Probably wont get to use either much this year if gas doesnt go down. Social security wont buy much. $2.34 for regular today.

 

[Brian Simonseth]

Skilly
I hear ya!

 

[Big K1]

I like fingers!:devil:

Kevin

 

[Brian Simonseth]

Fingers

Big K1
How's that last finger doing with that new line?
:hehe:

 

[Big K1]

Brian,

Me likey!

Have fun at the Sandy. I wish I could go.

Kevin

 

[SSPey]

The Triangle Taper lines seem to have a narrower diameter for a given line weight than most other brands. Consequently, they cast great but don't float so well. I like take that tradeoff for fishing and swinging flies, since the heads are only 65' long and easily lifted for the recast despite the sunken tip.