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| Fly Line Review | |||
New Airflo Striper Cold Water Fly line:WF-9-I (Intermediate)
| WWW.flylines.com
| Reviewer: Captain Skip Montello
| Date: May-June, 2006
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New for 2006, the floating and intermediate Striper lines now feature a unique Power Core technology. This unique almost non stretch braid remains extremely supple in cold conditions and gives incredible high energy casting performance, combined with supreme hook set even at long range with large flies. Cold saltwater,low memory polymer coatings give incredible handling performance and ensure you spend time fishing and not undoing tangles.
This line is a must for the Striper fisherman who is tired of fighting the stiffness of other brands of cold saltwater fly lines.
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| The new Airflo Cold Water fly line incorporates the new Polyfuse XT manufacturing process that combines two layers simultaneously over a”Hi Tec Braided Core”. The new low stretch braided core performs well in extremely cold conditions and is excellent for effective hook set at long range. | ||
| First Impression | ||
The new Cold Saltwater intermediate line is a one piece integrated fly line with a seamless transition to the running line portion and unlike the 40+ distance series intermediate, does not have a clear head portion and is constructed using the Polyfuse XT manufacturing process. | On the Water | |
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| Most of my striper fishing in the northeast requires the use of fast sinking shooting lines followed next by intermediate sub- surface type lines. There are occasions when floating lines are also used. When I choose an intermediate line, the important characteristics are; cast performance, low line memory to prevent or minimize tangling, minimal surface disruption and overall line durability. Last season I used, tested and reviewed the Airflo 40+ Saltwater Distance line. I was for the most part quite pleased with its performance, so when I received the new Cold Water Striper line from Airflo I was anxious too find out how it would perform. I set up the “on the water testing” with the following criterion;
The actual testing considered these characteristics;
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The casting performance of the new coldwater striper line compared very well with the Airflo 40+ coldwater distance line I reviewed last summer. I was able to achieve cast distances of 65-70’ with both rods in low wind velocity and reduced distance in windier conditions. Overall, the line casts and balanced quite well with both rods, only two false casts were necessary to achieve satisfactory distance. It would be a stretch to conclude that the new cold water striper line provided any appreciable distance advantage. Since both lines were constructed with the new “hi tech briaded core”, line tangles were not an issue either on the grassy shoreline, wading in the surf or on the boat deck. I used the line over a water/air temperature range of 53 to 75 F and did not observe any change in the stiffness or suppleness of the line(I have observed line memory issues with temperature changes in other intermediate fly lines). The line presentation I found to be excellent, the line laid down quietly with little disruption on the water surface. As for the colored head portion being less stealthy (than a clear head), that may be a factor when casting to "easily spooked fish"in very shallow clear water, but for striper fishing in the northeast, I would have to say (by my experience) it is not an issue. I believe that the long term durability of the new polyfuse technology should provide several seasons of use. 
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| New Airflo Striper Cold Water Fly Line | ||
| Construction-Quality | The AirFlo Striper Cold Water Fly Line comes from the factory as integrated one piece flyline with a seamless transition to a smooth, very slick, hard outer coating running line. | 4.9 |
| Performance | The new surface/ outer coating material provides reduced line friction resulting in excellent cast distance. The low memory power core material provided for a significantly reduced propensity to form tangles and wind knots even in the worst conditions of wind and air/ water temperature. | 4.8 |
| Application | The new Striper Cold Water Fly Line handled very well in a variety of fishing conditions where sub-surface, quiet presentations are necessary. | 4.9 |
| Price | MSRP $58.95 | 4.8 |
| Score:1-5(5=highest) | Total Score | 4.85 |
| Conclusion |
| The new Coldwater Striper intermediate fly line is as advertised, a fly line that delivers excellent casting performance over a range fishing conditions and temperature. |
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