FS Digest

Anyone have experience with SA air cel fly line?

Just picked up a WF6 and it's thinner than a 4wt line I have? Has to be a factory mistake or something.

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by smellsmira

FS Digest

What’s the 4wt you’re comparing it to?

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by BlazeFenton

FS Digest

Cortland 444, but I also compared it to another 6wt LLbean generic line and it's definitely smaller.

Maybe Corland is a bit heavier?

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by smellsmira

FS Digest

Few variables here:

Better quality lines can be thinner than cheaper ones. There’s a limit due to weight/density to keep the line floating but there can be some differences based on material properties and larger error margins on cheaper line (their QC isn’t as good, so they add extra margin).

Tapers aren’t necessarily similar even if the lines are both WF, for instance. Head length can also be diffferent. Add this to the variation in line weights (almost no manufacturer sticks to AFTMA line weights anymore) and there’s the possibility of substantial differences in line circumference. For instance, Cortland 444 has a 32’ head vs 40’ for SA Aircel Trout.

Some lines are much closer to neutrally buoyant. This is why most SA saltwater floating lines Wil sink in freshwater. They’re trying to minimise diameter to reduce air resistance.

Finally, there’s potentially only 1.7 grams of difference (approx 1/14 of an oz) difference in the first 30’ of a fly line of 4 and 6 wt.

Any or all of these might be true. Or someone switches the line in the box...

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by BlazeFenton

FS Digest

So what you're saying is it's probably a 6wt line and should cast like a 6wt line?

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by smellsmira

FS Digest

Especially if you bought it at Bean's, always check to make sure the line you're buying is really what is in the box, for whatever reason, the lines and the boxes get mixed up there a lot. Especially in their outlet stores, usually the fly lines there are a cluster.

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by sage4wt

FS Digest

I bought it online from SA website. But the bean line came on an old reel I had.

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by smellsmira