Fly fishing line question please.

[41Dude]

My son is an avid fly fishing aficionado.
I know zero about it.
I picked up an old fly fishing book for his collection.
Inside they mention as being the ultimate, silk
line. Real silk not the synthetic stuff.
Is that a real thing these days?
I do not want to ask my son about it because I am brainstorming birthday ideas.
Thanks for any input

 

[Wyandot Jim]

When you say old book what is the date of it??? I also have fly fished 45 years but have not used silk fly line. It was probably used more in the past until the better materials came along. I do remember in the 50s fly line that was called Catgut.
Silk line is still available as a specialty line.

Zen Outfitters is proud to be the only company in North America producing braided silk fly lines. These lines are not just gear—they are heritage.

Each line begins on a 125-year-old New England Butt braider machine, a beautifully preserved piece of American manufacturing history. After the braid is formed, every line is meticulously finished by hand in Boise, Idaho using traditional varnishing and loop-building techniques. The result is a fly line that combines the precision of modern design with the soul of classic craftsmanship.

 

[41Dude]

Thank you for that. Book was from the 1970's
I will do a search for Zen.
I love all of that classic machinery

 

[protoolman]

I'd call the Dan Bailey fly shop in Livingston MT if I had any questions about fly fishing. They probably can tell you more than you ever wanted to know. My question would be if silk is even a thing anymore? Unless he's into doing it all old style with a split bamboo rod etc. I know there are sinking lines, floating lines etc. Would silk work on the modern rods and reels like he has or? I know fly fishing is a pretty technical sport that I know darned little about. Good luck on your quest!

 

[arfmel]

Silk fly line requires more maintenance than the modern type lines do. Frankly I’d rather spend my time fishing than screwing around maintaining my fly line. But, “everyone to their own taste, said the old woman as she kissed the cow”.

 

[Badger Matt]

I make split bamboo fly rods so I’m all about tradition, but I’m not fishing silk line and putting up with all the required care and maintenance.

I recommend Cortland’s 444 DT Sylk for folks who fish bamboo rods. It’s wonderfully supple and casts like a dream. It’ll run around $70 and you’ll need to know what weight rod you’re buying it for. If your budget’s larger, there are lots of bamboo fly rod makers out there and there’s just something old school cool about bamboo.

 

[41Dude]

I make split bamboo fly rods so I'm all about tradition, but I'm not fishing silk line and putting up with all the required care and maintenance.

I recommend Cortland's 444 DT Sylk for folks who fish bamboo rods. It's wonderfully supple and casts like a dream. It'll run around $70 and you'll need to know what weight rod you're buying it for. If your budget's larger, there are lots of bamboo fly rod makers out there and there's just something old school cool about bamboo.

Great photo

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I do believe that 41 Dude just wanted to know what it was not buy it.

What a Fly Rod is for

My SPECIAL spot.

 

[41Dude]

I do believe that 41 Dude just wanted to know what it was not buy it.

What a Fly Rod is for

View attachment 73909
View attachment 73910

My SPECIAL spot.
View attachment 73911

Absolutely correct. But I enjoy learning the assortment of knowledge from the other members.
The two beauties you are holding have made me hungry.

 

[turd]

Trout are fun to catch, not so good to eat. I did that one time, then put back those that I have caught. Now, that has been many years ago, so maybe they taste better now, I don't know......

 

[bocash3]

There are dozens of great fly lines out there

today.
If you want a more TRADITIONAL fly line, I would second the vote on a Cortland Sylk.

However, for most Casting, handling, and performance purposes,, I would go to another fly line such as a Cortland 444 Peach or Wulff Triangle Taper. Rio also has many great offerings.

Background: I've been passionately fly fishing since 1957, owned a fly fishing store for 33 years, guided, fly fishing schools, and a ridiculous collector of bamboo, graphite, and fiberglass rods.

Like a couple others stated, I fully agree. You don't really want a traditional silk fly line unless you make time for maintenance problems and the fact that it will not float as good as a modern fly line.

My two cents…

 

[gnappi]

I do believe that 41 Dude just wanted to know what it was not buy it.

What a Fly Rod is for




My SPECIAL spot.
View attachment 73911

Boy does that stream pic bring back trout fly fishing when I was a kid.

Thanks for posting it.

 

[oliver507]

I make split bamboo fly rods so I'm all about tradition, but I'm not fishing silk line and putting up with all the required care and maintenance.

I recommend Cortland's 444 DT Sylk for folks who fish bamboo rods. It's wonderfully supple and casts like a dream. It'll run around $70 and you'll need to know what weight rod you're buying it for. If your budget's larger, there are lots of bamboo fly rod makers out there and there's just something old school cool about bamboo.

Beautiful rod ! I have been fly fishing for better than 60 years (25+ with bamboo) haven’t quite made the jump to silk fly line.