Ian Moxon Silk Fly Lines - made in Sheffield, UK
Not too long to wait ...
away from Grayling and are redirected towards those beautiful wild trout of the
Yorkshire Derwent - and the 'tackle tart' within me reaches for the glossy
catalogues which drop through the door on a daily bases, in the hunt for
even more gear to hide from my wife!
If I were to select just one item of equipment that I think has rekindled my
passion for fishing our local small streams, it’s the use of a silk line - I’ve found
nothing better for presenting small flies on long light leaders, and it really does
put the ‘art’ back into casting.
I started on my own silk route last year and it has completely changed the way I
feel about fly fishing. Don't get me wrong, I still love dredging the bottom with
nymphs for Grayling, but when it comes to small streams and even smaller
flies I instinctively reach for my silk line - the presentation is so much better, and
it just makes me feel much happier! They are also very simple to care for (see
below).
Don't think that to get the best out of a silk line you need a cane rod - just try
one on a medium action carbon rod - or better still a glass rod - there really
is nothing better.
I'm sure at some point in your fly fishing odyssey you have contemplated using a silk line, if so:
Read on McDuff ...
What better way to prepare for the upcoming season with a silk line, especially
when said line is made right here in the UK, Sheffield to be precise.
These silk lines have been designed and made with a 'fine tip' which effectively
means they have a very thin 'built-in' furled leader, so you just attach a level
piece of tippet to the end.
Ok, so why should I use a silk line then? We're glad you asked:
They have no memory - completely limp
There's no stretch - improved hookups
They are denser than plastic fly lines and therefore much thinner, and
thinner lines mean much less wind resistance
They float better than plastic fly lines - they float on the water surface,
not in it making roll casts and mending line much easier
You get 3 lines in one; When fully greased it's a floating Line, grease
everything except the tip and you have a midge-tip line, don't grease it
and you have an intermediate/sinking line
They can last a lifetime - so long as they are cared for and stored
correctly a silk line can last a lifetime - and indeed will get better with age
We've just received a parcel here @ Barbless Flies HQ - direct from Ian in
Sheffield and it's full of silk fly lines - we've now got these stunning full-
length silk lines in the most popular weights (DT4 and DT5) and colours
(Golden Olive and Golden Straw).
Each of our Silk lines are shipped with a handy box (to keep them in when not
on the reel), a pot of Mucilin (to grease them with), a microfibre cloth (to
clean/help dry them) and full line care instructions. These lines are made in the
UK (in Sheffield, Yorkshire to be precise), by Ian Moxon and are great value for
money, these fully finished lines are now available for immediate
delivery, from only £94.99.
*** We've only 1 or 2 of each weight of line - and no more stock arriving
until May, so if you would like one, you will need to be quick ***
A message from Ian on how to best care for any silk fly line:
“My new silk fly lines are usually a bit stiff and a bit rough to start with (and
that is normal for a properly made silk fly line). The line will become softer
and more supple over the course of the first half dozen fishing trips and
nothing should be done to try and accelerate that process. Before each fishing trip apply a thin layer of line grease. After your fishing trip pull the line
off your reel in loose coils into a cardboard box to dry (or put onto a line
dryer if you have one). Never grease a wet silk fly line as that will trap the
moisture inside and prompt rot. Occasionally a silk line will become
sticky/tacky for no apparent reason (usually due to old line grease/residue)
and if that happens wipe the line down with white spirit.
With care your silk fly line should last your whole lifetime." - Ian Moxon;
2021
New Fly News
These are ideal patterns to tackle the last of the grayling and for getting a headstart on stocking up your early season trout box.
Keep your eyes on your inbox this Saturday!
Tight lines & stay safe.
