While fishing on the fourth I did a dumb thing. I got my leader wrapped on my line and then jerked. The flourocarbon cut my fly line, little cut, but did cut the outter covering. Now I am faced with the purchase of another fly line. I had begun life in fly fishing 3 years ago thinking that WF lines were the greatest thing since sliced bread. I have read this post on another forum Double taper vs weight forward and it answers alot of questions. I think now I would like to try a DT. What is best line, manufacture, is there. I have been using the SA Mastery series. Is there something better or is it that there are only different lines. Lemme know.

In my humble opinion there are classes of quality, no one real "better than the rest" except in the opinion of each angler. Kinda like Chevy guys and Ford guys and Mopar guys. Now that is not an invalid thing though. One's confidence is as vital as any physical qualities. Also, shop Sierra Trading Post for closeouts on high quality lines that were simply not that popular for whatever reason. I got some $70 Sage lines for my ultralights for $20 simply because not that many people bought them.

On the DT vs. WF, remember that lines are classed by the first thirty feet's weight. So a DT and WF line ought to be pretty close to equal there. The DT is constant in diameter all the way on down to the other taper so once that first thirty feet is out handling characteristics will be different. A WF line has a head that tapers down to a running line vs. consistent diameter of a DT.

I don't do very much mending in my fishing but on a running stream there would be more mending and the lines would likely play a bigger part there.

Google up some pages on line mending and lines and such for some expert opinions on that point of the matter.

My leader got tangled once and i aslo jerked on it and cut my line to the core. I just super glued it back together. I am cheap too!

There are a ton of really good lines nowadays. For me, I want a line that casts well, shoots well, floats well, and lasts a long time. I've had better luck with AirFlo lines than any others. They aren't made of PVC like most other fly lines. They last for years without cracking and splitting. I've rarely had PVC lines be crack-free after one year. Not a problem if you like buying new lines more often, but I'm cheap.

SA Mastery Series GPX lines are some of the best. To fix your cut line, just put a dab of superglue on it. That will seal it and protect it, no need to throw it away.

I think the weight forward taper might have been an innovation that by design, improved presentation as well as line control as Robin mentioned, which has a bigger implication for the fresh water trout fishermen. A big benefit of the double taper is that when you wear it out you can remove it from the reel and attach it at the other end. Recycle that sucker. But truth be told, if I could afford it, I would have Lee Wulff's Triangle taper on every freshwater reel I own. I learned on it and found it very versatile. I fished it while guiding in Colorado all summer and then again while fishing for bass in Texas during the bartending months. It throws a size 22 dry fly and big ole froggy deer hair bass popper with equal enthusiasm. Or maybe that was me...

i really like the orvis 3rd generation lines.

To add to the list...nothing wrong with SA, IMO...but for long life, versatile fishing its hard to beat Cortland. The 555 is the top of the "line" but myself I think the 444, if you can find it, is really the best buy anywhere. I've found it sold at huge discounts at some stores. It's a bargain.

Here's my humble input.
We get feedback from all kinds of fly floppers on fly line. Cortland 333, 444, and 555 get sworn On by some people and At by others. Seems to last a while without too much issue. Wears well and floats well. In my highly UNscientific survey it mostly depends on casting styles, applications and the rod seems to be a factor.
Scientific Angler is one where you get what you pay for. Their top-of-the-line stuff is just that, tops in quality and price.
White River CV2 line is what I call a good "working" line. It's pretty tough. Those of us who tend to do the Watusi on our lines might want to invest $25 in this workhorse. It, unfortunately, will not take abuse forever and probably should be replaced once the usual line snarls no longer fall out with a gentle shake. Twenty -five bucks isn't unfair at all if you are a fervent line replacer.
White River Hobbs Creek...$20, makes a good "practice" line. You can get the "feel" of flyfishing, feel your rod load, practice on grass or concrete or chlorenated pools... but put yer good stuff on for that fishing trip.
Orvis, Clearwater ok, but not the top of either category, price or quality. Orvis Silver Label, good quality for the $, it is cold water line that's trying to be a cross-over to warm. Works good but slightly off the mark in the cross-over effort.
Rio, Grand. Gets a big old Yee Haw! from most who chunk it. Another cold water hero.
Rio Mainstream, good mid quality/priced trout line.
Lefty Kreh Trout Fly Line...If I were a pure trout fisher with a modest budget, Lefty'd get my denero.

I'm thinking of stocking SA Sharkskin...anyone care to give their thoughts on this $99.95 newcomer?

It would have to be 30% better in performance to be worth the 30% price differance.

Too rich for my blood.

I actually got to cast the Sharskin line with Bruce Richards at the Southern Conclave in Mt Home last October, incredible casting line with virtually no memory the only draw back other than paying a $100.00 for a fly line is that it does make noise while casting because of the texture of the coating. We do carry it here at BP in Grapevine and we have sold several to experienced casters and fishermen. I agree with the BP lines as being a workhorse they will take a beating, I use them in my casting classes and they perform fairly well for beginners.
Rio gets my vote for lines,leaders and tippet material as well I use either the Rio windcutter or the Rio Gold and have never had an issue with their products. Cortland lines seem to get sticky and tacky pretty quick...just my 2 cents

Rio is my favorite after Airflo as well. I like SA lines when they're new, but I've never had one last very long. I can't imagine paying $99 for a noisy line personally. Airflo doesn't have memory issues either, and it's priced the same as SA, Cortland, Rio, etc...

I sound like I sell for them probably. I don't. Just love the lines.

Rio is my 1st choice for leaders and tippet material though. I've tried the Airflo leaders, and they're nice. Rio is hard to beat.

Ya, I think I'm gonna go the Rio route soon on my 8wt. I'm looking at the versitip lines. Anybody have any experience with these?

On a another note, right now I've got the Cortland classic 444 DT line on my 4wt and I love it. But I also liked the WF4 from Cabelas that I had on before it.

Guys, I think I actually prefer SA Mastery or Cortland 444 or 555. I own SA Sharkskin Saltwater Taper. And it is noisy. It does cast great. But, it also destroys my fingers, in ways I never imagined. Had a couple of fish take no more than 2 or 3 ft of line through my rod index finger. And my finger was bleeding. This is of course possible with any fly line that is burned through an angler's fingers. But, I own several other fly rods and lines, and NONE of them have anything close to this effect on my fingers... I like Sharkskin. But, I am going to have to start wearing full gloves when fishing with Sharkskin. I have never fished with Rio. But, I look forward to trying it in the future.

This was my 1st thought with a heavily textured line. I've had the same problem with smooth lines tearing up my stripping finger in the saltwater, but that was over four or five days of heavy fishing. I would imagine the texture on the Sharkskin line would pick up even more salt?