5 WT WF Fly Line opinions

[rmatei]

Looking for opinions on your experiences with different brands of weight forward floating lines in 5 WT. Let me know your rod length and your description of your rod action: slow, medium, or fast. Choosing a line has become increasingly difficult because rod makers have increased rod parameters and line manufacturers are increasing mass but still calling lines 5WT but oversizing. Have read the Trident line reviews and testing but still am looking for opinions. Unfortunately most shops will not let you try out line on your rod before purchase.

[Passthru]

I use rio gold WF line on my 9ft TFO 5wt rod. It's very smooth and has help my casting a lot.

[slingshotz]

Ditto the Rio Gold. I have it on my 5wt fast 5 piece 9' Winston.

[spurly]

Another vote for Rio Gold, I recently tried Barrio GT 90 and am very impressed
They sell out of Scotland, free worldwide shipping $48 to your door.
Fantastic line for the price.

[marty1]

Originally Posted by rmatei

Looking for opinions on your experiences with different brands of weight forward floating lines in 5 WT. Let me know your rod length and your description of your rod action: slow, medium, or fast. Choosing a line has become increasingly difficult because rod makers have increased rod parameters and line manufacturers are increasing mass but still calling lines 5WT but oversizing. Have read the Trident line reviews and testing but still am looking for opinions. Unfortunately most shops will not let you try out line on your rod before purchase.

Rio gold is a great line how ever i really wasn't impressed with it on my orvis fast action rod but matchs up nicely with the echo i have that has more of a mid flex.I picked up the rio extreme indicator for the orvise and what a difference, but this set up is strictly for indicator fishing and chucking streamers.Both rods 5wt 9'

[Mr Flyguy]

Both the Rio Gold or SA GPX work well on my 5wt 9ft Hardy Zenith (stiff, fast action rod), which is my go to for the fall boatman/backswimmer season.

[ShortsideK]

I have used Rio Gold and SA GPX on my Hardy Zenith 9ft., 5wt. (fast action) and much prefer the Rio Gold. In fact, after using a few different lines, Rio Gold has become my goto line for all of my rods (excluding nymphing/indicator lines). I try to get it on sale. hahahaha! But don't we all?

[MK2750]

Originally Posted by rmatei

Looking for opinions on your experiences with different brands of weight forward floating lines in 5 WT. Let me know your rod length and your description of your rod action: slow, medium, or fast. Choosing a line has become increasingly difficult because rod makers have increased rod parameters and line manufacturers are increasing mass but still calling lines 5WT but oversizing. Have read the Trident line reviews and testing but still am looking for opinions. Unfortunately most shops will not let you try out line on your rod before purchase.

People's description of rods varies from person to person. IMO for example, overlining a Hardy Zenith with Grand, SA GPX or even Gold absolutely kills it unless you are turning over big bugs. I have a GPX on a spool for big hopper rigs but generally fish a true weight presentation taper on my 5 weight Zenith.

You should tell us the rod you are using or search what others are fishing on the rod. You will find the type of fishing you like to do will most determine the most appropriate taper and weight. Out side of 30ft over weight becomes a hindrance and taper means everything.

I fish mostly dry flies so prefer longer front and slightly longer back tapers. I really like the SA Trout tapers, but I am an old guy raised on DT Lines so that may be a factor.

My young fellow has been fishing the Airflo Elite and absolutely loves it on an Opti-Stream which is medium fast IMO. I wanted a little bit more weight and a longer taper so after reading the Trident and other reviews went with Airflo River and Stream for a Sage One. Have only practise cast with it but it feels and casts awesome.

[rmatei]

It looks like I have the same opinion as Marty1. The 5 wt's I am currently using are the Orvis Recon and the wife is using a Echo Base. The Rio Gold is ok on the
Echo but I am not happy with the overall performance on the faster action Recon. We fish dries, nymphs and streamers. I see the SA GPX is no longer available and I think the MPX takes it's place this year. I really would rather not go with a half or full size heavier line and be a guinea pig trying them out. What I found interesting on the Trident charts is that the Rio is suggested as a 50/50 dry/nymph selection for only medium action rods.

[shredzoo7]

Just to throw my hat in the ring, I've fished with a lot of the regular lines rio gold etc, but for the locations and situations I like to fish I found it way too troublesome to fish in certain areas that need a back cast.

So I lined my 5wt echo carbon with an ambush single handed spey line and have never looked back. I was skeptical at first because if how heavy it looked but learning a few spey casts on youtube was no sweat. You literally can have your back to a thorn bush and still fish effectively with one roll cast. I fish mostly still water lakes, so there isn't a concern with delicate presentations. I almost never come away skunked. It takes a lot of practice to learn the casts, but once you get it down, you're unstoppable and look really cool as well haha

Anyway, good luck!