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Is it worth spending the money on Scientific Angler's Sharkskin fly line? I am looking to buy some new fly line for a 3 wt.

Any thoughts?
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A lot of people complain it's ruff, but I've yet to find something that floats as well. I don't neglect my lines but am tired of "sink tips" on a line that's supposed to float. Anyone know of a line that floats as good as this one?
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[quote SBW]Is it worth spending the money on Scientific Angler's Sharkskin fly line? I am looking to buy some new fly line for a 3 wt.

Any thoughts?[/quote]


Absolutely! Last at least twice as longs, floats better than anything out there. With most lines in the $80. range now a days...it is most definitely worth $20. more.
I use the Trout on my four, and GPX on my five and six.
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I love mine as well. I asked this same question a year ago and FG convinced me to try it. It floats like no other and I have absolutely no problem with the sound.

After a LONG day of stripping streamers, I do burn a line in my finger though. That is the only downside I have experienced.
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dont they make finger guards to help with that wearing out your finger part??

MacFly
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It isn't that bad, but there are little two finger neoprene cloves. I have some as my fingers get sticky with the water in the summer.
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I tried it for several months (6wt trout taper). Leading 6ft always sank. Tried cleaning it with my regular stuff, soap and water, Armor All, always sank. Gave up and went back to SA Mastery. Maybe I just got a bad batch?
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thats what I was talking about but could not remember a name... :-)

MacFly
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Please think twice about putting Armorall on your line. It isn't good for it OR the water.
That is strange, I got to say you are the first I have heard that happening to, but anything is possible.
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Not against the original formula of Amour -all- Not the new formula though
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Whaaaat really Armorall ??? Never heard of anybody putting armor all on a fly line ...
Huh yes I agree with FG Armorall cant be good for the water.
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Armorall does make it slick, great for shooting the line. What makes it so bad for the line/water?
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I know at least 3 guides that use it- I have- like I said- the original formula not the new one
Though I do not see anything in it that is toxic. Just what is it that is bad for the H20 or the line- Been using it for quite a few years now- no line damage. Lanolin is the main lubricant in it and Lanolin is OK with the environment. And contrary to many rumors floating around- it contains no petroleum
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And Silicone. Too many reports to NOT use it and a few to...got to go with the masses on this and that old line I treated with it a while back.
Wanted to prove it to myself. The line is very sticky.
Casting contest will use it, but then that is ALL the line is used for.
Soap and water and some Zip is all you need.
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[quote packfish]Not against the original formula of Amour -all- Not the new formula though[/quote]
Don't know if this is new or original, either way, I'd stick with what the line manufacturer recommends and so far after all these years, I've never seen one line manufacturer or rep recommend Armorall on pvc coated fly lines.
But if you want to, go ahead. What's a little more chemical residue in our waters anyway?
Being BFT and very paranoid (like members don't go to other sites anyway) I'm going to post this site, not because it's another forum, but to maybe save some flyline trouble.
http://www.ask.com/bar?q=armorall+for+fl...5700790817

Ingredients for Armorall
What are the ingredients in Armor All® Protectants? Do they include silicone, alcohol, ultraviolet inhibitors and petroleum distillates?
Armor All® Leather Care contains lanolin and natural moisturizers, and UV inhibitors. Armor All® Leather Care Protectant Spray and Leather Wipes contain water-based silicone emulsions, surfactants, and ultraviolet light inhibitors. Armor All® Original Shine Protectant contains water-based silicone emulsions, surfactants, and ultraviolet light inhibitors, humectants, dispersants and gloss enhancers. Armor All® Ultimate Clean Protectant contains water-based silicone emulsions, surfactants, ultraviolet light inhibitors and a fragrance.
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Save some money and buy Rio Lines. I haven't found anything out there that is better. Their high end lines are awesome if you want to spend a little more. Either way, you will save some scratch.
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I like Rio lines as well, but they are not Sharkskin. Sharkskin is all it says it is and more.
Not to give away age, but I have been fly fishing for close to a half a century and tried all different lines. Sharkskin is Awesome!
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[quote SBW]Is it worth spending the money on Scientific Angler's Sharkskin fly line? I am looking to buy some new fly line for a 3 wt.

Any thoughts?[/quote]
Over the years I've fished with all the lines from Cortland Peach to Wulff Triangle Tapered lines. But I have found that SA's Sharkskin is the best out there. Contrary to what Everet says, yes you'll find better lines than Rio. Sorry E, but it's the truth (as far as opinions go)[cool]. I still have my spools of Windcutter, Gold, Accelerator, and Selective Trout lines in Rio lines. And I also have SA's Sharkskin in 4 and 5w. Nothing compares to SS for floating, and shooting. Especially in the winter. My guides freeze up less than with the other lines. Don't get me wrong- Rio makes a great line, but side by side comparisons don't lie- I felt the SS was a superior line. The biggest thing is it's ability to float. That makes it easier to pick up and you're actually doing less false casting. And you'll have to learn (because it goes through the guides so easy) to recast the line- 5 minutes tops before you're back on the mark.
What sold me on this line is, I have a friend that fishes a lot. His job lets him. So I asked him how did he like the SS because I was thinking about buying some. First of all he says, he goes through one line in 11 months and has to buy a new one. The Sharkskin he had at the time I asked him, was going on 18 months old. So with him it was cost effective. The other thing he said was, that it was a good of a line today as it was when he got it. I had no doubt that this was the line I wanted.
I got it first in a 5w and then 4w. I will get the 6w this summer too. It's an impressive line. I waited for the stuff to cut my finger and it never happened. I waited for the sound going thru the guides to scare off the fish and it never happened (lawn casting it you will notice the zipping sound, but on the water- nada)
Some fishers have mentioned that they think it picks up dirt more, but I haven't noticed it. In the winter, you'll also notice less memory when it's stripped off your reel.
It may be more money, but not that much more than the premium Rio, Cortland, Wulff, etc.
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lol I can understand where you guys are coming from, just not my favorite. But hey, its all good[cool]
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