I wanna tell you a story

by Richard Fieldhouse

As we are nearing the start of the River season here in the UK, I wanted this week's email to be focused on getting your kit ready for the start of the season.

To that end, this email will list one particular item which you cannot do without (and they do need refreshing every now and then), items you need - which you may not even know we offer!

In essence, it's all about Fly Lines.

This is an email I look forward to sending every year, because ...

*attempting my best Max Bygraves impression*

I wanna tell you a story ... (there's one for the teenagers!)

Often when we order from one of our suppliers, they will include a few new products for us to try.

In a delivery at the beginning of 2022, we found a 'general purpose' floating fly line included amongst the leaders we ordered. This line was promptly despatched into the back of the fishing truck and forgotten about.

One early morning at the opening of that season I was fishing my local river (the Yorkshire Derwent) when I got my gear together only to find that along with my 8' 4wt - a Vision Cult if you're interested - I'd only selected the wrong reel (it had a 6wt sinking line on it).

It was only then that I remembered the demo line which was in the back of the truck - as luck would have it, it was a 4wt floater. I promptly spooled it onto the reel, added a 9ft tapered leader and tippet to it and headed off to the river.

A quick walk to the river (watching a few fish rising along the way), and it came to fly choice. After a quick check of insects freshly caught in the early morning spider webs, I could see that there was plenty of small caddis about, so on with a size 18 Indicator Caddis and carefully into the river.

Pull a bit of line off, a few false casts to shoot a little more line out and with the first upstream cast, it immediately struck me that the fly line was sitting very high in the water and it was dead straight - bear in mind that this fly line had been in the back of the truck for the last 9 months through some very warm (and cold) weather.

I lifted the line off the water (with hardly any splashing) and recast again, this time using a wiggle cast to reduce drag on the upstream dry fly and a 6" wild brown was almost immediately fooled and brought to (wet) hand.

To say I was impressed with the line was an understatement, it was more than a match for my other £80+ fly lines that regularly adorn my reel.

I spoke with the supplier the very next day and ordered some in various weights (2wt to 8wt) - we've stocked up with those same fly lines again this year and they arrived with us last week - we've just put them on the website today.

*** We've only 10 to 15 of each weight - so if you would like one you may need to be quick off the mark! ***

"What's the price?" I hear you ask - we are making them available to you today for only £27.50, which includes free delivery in our eco-friendly packaging. Generally, if you're in the UK you will receive your order the very next day.

Here's Just One Customers Review:

(for more detailed images and specifications of the lines, please visit our website by clicking on any image or button above)

If you've only recently bought a new fly line, then you might want to check out the tips below on how to clean it ready for the start of the new season:

Cleaning a PVC fly line is important to maintain its performance and longevity. Over time, fly lines can accumulate dirt, grime, and other contaminants that can affect their casting ability. It is usually a job I do before the start of each season.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean a PVC fly line:

Materials Needed:

  1. Mild soap or specialized fly line cleaner
  2. Clean, soft cloth or sponge
  3. Washing-up bowl
  4. Warm water
  5. Towel

Steps:

  1. Inspect the Fly Line:
    • Before cleaning, visually inspect the fly line for any damage or nicks. If you notice any cuts or abrasions, it might be time to replace the line - see above!
  2. Remove the Fly Line:
    • If the fly line is still attached to the reel, detach it. This will make the cleaning process more manageable.
  3. Prepare the Cleaning Solution:
    • Fill a washing-up bowl with warm water. You can add a small amount of mild soap or use a specialised fly line cleaner. Avoid using harsh chemicals or detergents, as they can damage the PVC coating.
  4. Dip the Fly Line:
    • Submerge the fly line in the cleaning solution. Allow it to soak for a few minutes. This will help loosen any dirt and debris.
  5. Clean with Cloth or Sponge:
    • Wet a clean, soft cloth or sponge with the cleaning solution. Hold the fly line between your fingers and run the cloth along its length, applying gentle pressure to remove any dirt or grime.
  6. Rinse the Fly Line:
    • After cleaning, rinse the fly line thoroughly with fresh water to remove any soap or cleaning solution residue.
  7. Dry the Fly Line:
    • Lay the fly line on a clean towel and pat it dry with another towel. Make sure it's completely dry before winding it back onto the reel.
  8. Apply Line Dressing (Optional):
    • After cleaning and drying, you may choose to apply a fly line dressing or conditioner to rejuvenate the line's slickness and provide additional protection.
  9. Inspect and Reassemble:
    • Before reattaching the fly line to the reel, inspect it again to ensure it's clean and free of any damage. If everything looks good, reattach the fly line onto the reel.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of your fly line will not only improve casting performance but also prolong the life of the line.

Tight (and clean) lines.

P.S. We also have lots more information coming to you on the design, make-up and use of fly fishing leaders throughout the coming season ... keep an eye out for more info on that later this week.

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