Full Version: silk fly lines
I cannot afford a silk fly line for my bamboo rods, but want to try one. Have any of you tried the $50 versions (ZHU's Rods) always available on Ebay? I am sure they are not as good as the $200 ones, but will they give me the feel for the difference between silk and plastic? Maybe the performance is the same, just not the longevity? Or strength? If the cheap version does illistrate the difference and I love how it feels, then I could maybe justify purchasing a "real" line. What would the differences be between the cheap and regular silks? Thanks.
I got a few Chinese modern silk from Zhu last year on ebay. In my opinion, they are not worth trying. The finish does not penetrate well, and leaves the line with a tubular feel (it crimps if bent). The finish is also very rough. The taper on my lines (3 and 5 DT) were inconsistent and the weight was off by quite a bit on both. This may have to do with the finish.
I fish some old silks, and these lines do not compare. Zhu's lines will not give you a good idea of how silk feels to fish (again, just my opinion).
I have heard Zhu will sell unfinished lines for a discount. This might be a good option, as I am sure you could put on a better finish.
An even better bet, likely, is to get an old silk from ebay or other. You can get a decent DT line for $50-100 or a level for $10-50. You can also find vintage reels with old silk still on them for much cheaper. That latter is a bit hit-or-miss, but you can find some real deals.
Here is a good resource for refinishing lines (if needed):
http://www.overmywaders.com/index.php?silk
http://www.overmywaders.com/index.php?cleaningsilk
Silk is great to fish, particularly with cane. I encourage you to try it out, but skip the China stuff.
Also, a good silk line will last for generations, so the price of a new high quality silk is pennies compared to years and years of buying PVC lines and probably worth it if you like silk enough. I've yet to take the $200 plunge, probably because I enjoy finding great deals and tinkering with oils and varnish.
I fish some old silks, and these lines do not compare. Zhu's lines will not give you a good idea of how silk feels to fish (again, just my opinion).
I have heard Zhu will sell unfinished lines for a discount. This might be a good option, as I am sure you could put on a better finish.
An even better bet, likely, is to get an old silk from ebay or other. You can get a decent DT line for $50-100 or a level for $10-50. You can also find vintage reels with old silk still on them for much cheaper. That latter is a bit hit-or-miss, but you can find some real deals.
Here is a good resource for refinishing lines (if needed):
http://www.overmywaders.com/index.php?silk
http://www.overmywaders.com/index.php?cleaningsilk
Silk is great to fish, particularly with cane. I encourage you to try it out, but skip the China stuff.
Also, a good silk line will last for generations, so the price of a new high quality silk is pennies compared to years and years of buying PVC lines and probably worth it if you like silk enough. I've yet to take the $200 plunge, probably because I enjoy finding great deals and tinkering with oils and varnish.
With regards to silk lines don't be too quick to discard the possibility of a Chinese silk line. Highland Mills carries a line of Chinese silk lines and I have several. They retail for $129.00. If you prepare them properly and apply 4 or 5 dreassings to them they cast as well as the Phoenix likes made in France.
Anglers Workshop carries the Highland Mills reels and bamboo rods but I am not sure that they carry the silk lines. By all means see if you can locate a good used silk line on e-bay. If looked after properly they will be heirlooms.
And don't forget that all silk comes from China in some form or other.
Failing the above I fish a Cortland Sylk DT3F line on a 6 ft 9 inch 3 piece bamboo ferruled rod. It is a dream to use and the Sylk lines are a lot less trouble to look after.
Cheers!
Arne
Anglers Workshop carries the Highland Mills reels and bamboo rods but I am not sure that they carry the silk lines. By all means see if you can locate a good used silk line on e-bay. If looked after properly they will be heirlooms.
And don't forget that all silk comes from China in some form or other.
Failing the above I fish a Cortland Sylk DT3F line on a 6 ft 9 inch 3 piece bamboo ferruled rod. It is a dream to use and the Sylk lines are a lot less trouble to look after.
Cheers!
Arne
I pulled the trigger on a Phoenix silk for my Dickerson 7012 clone, and I'm really glad I did. I was fishing a couple different plastic lines with it and finally settled on a Cortland 444. When I spooled the silk and fished it, there was a total turn around on the performance of the rod. It didn't need a break in period, and it was like I was one with the rod. (angel chorus singing inserted here)
But really, the rod did feel much better, I was casting excellent loops, and it was like the setup was taylored for my casting style. So much better in fact, I bought a used DT5 for my Perfectionist. The same thing happened. I also bought a DT3 Terenzio for my little Leonard clone, and split it between two reels. That one casts nicely, although it is a rougher finish and makes a little more noise than the Phoenix lines. The Terenzios cost a little less, but need some breaking in.
I have two Zhu silks coming, a DT7 and an unfinished DT4. I'll post my results when they're here, and the 4wt finished. The DT 7 only cost me $12.
But really, the rod did feel much better, I was casting excellent loops, and it was like the setup was taylored for my casting style. So much better in fact, I bought a used DT5 for my Perfectionist. The same thing happened. I also bought a DT3 Terenzio for my little Leonard clone, and split it between two reels. That one casts nicely, although it is a rougher finish and makes a little more noise than the Phoenix lines. The Terenzios cost a little less, but need some breaking in.
I have two Zhu silks coming, a DT7 and an unfinished DT4. I'll post my results when they're here, and the 4wt finished. The DT 7 only cost me $12.
QUOTE (aracane @ Feb 28 2010, 02:00 AM) 
And don't forget that all silk comes from China in some form or other.
LOL. I guess I was just speaking form my experience with Zhu's lines, the ones he was asking about.
Highland Mills is interesting. I'll definitely be looking into that.
I just found a decent source for old silk lines. Probably a lot more reliable than Ebay. He has got a few levels, right now.
http://www.codella.com/access.htm
http://www.codella.com/access.htm
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