[Pine]

I put this Rio line on at the beginning of the season, and haven’t fished that much with it. It’s badly cracked and has lost buoyancy. Rio hasn’t responded, and their website says they are 10 to 12 weeks out on warranties and repairs. This is the second spool of their line where this has happened. I’m done with them, but want to replace it with a brand that at least stands behind their product. Any suggestions or experiences?

 

[jberg421]

Got a buddy who works for airflo. Their lines are awesome. Sorry, not much help. I'll add that I used to fish rio and they broke down so fast. This seems like a defect though

 

[FishingUT]

I've had the same experience with Rio. Totally done with their fly line after 5 or 6 lines not even lasting 12 months before cracking apart. I've used Bozeman FlyWorks line in the past that also only lasts a year but only costs $35. I've generally had good luck with SA lines.

 

[Mikec]

I put this Rio line on at the beginning of the season, and haven’t fished that much with it. It’s badly cracked and has lost buoyancy. Rio hasn’t responded, and their website says they are 10 to 12 weeks out on warranties and repairs. This is the second spool of their line where this has happened. I’m done with them, but want to replace it with a brand that at least stands behind their product. Any suggestions or experiences.

Not trying to play devil’s advocate, but I’ve destroyed several lines, from various manufacturers, being kinda sloppy with sunscreen and/or bug spray. I fish a lot, hate skeeters, and sunburn like a mofo, so its kinda collateral damage in my world.

 

[Pine]

Not trying to play devil’s advocate, but I’ve destroyed several lines, from various manufacturers, being kinda sloppy with sunscreen and/or bug spray. I fish a lot, hate skeeters, and sunburn like a mofo, so its kinda collateral damage in my world.

It definitely hadn’t been exposed to bug juice or other harsh chemicals. I’m allergic to both bug dope and sunscreen, and avoid them like the plague. For the first half of the summer I didn’t even use it, as I was mostly using my streamer rod. It casted super nice up until the point it cracked. If this is how it holds up to such light use I’m definitely switching.

 

[theusualsuspect]

I’ve had better luck with airflo than rio for sure. Some SA lines have been good as well but my longest lasting lines have been airflo.

 

[zbaird]

Airflo is nice stuff for sure. I use their sinking lines on a couple of my streamer spools and have one WFF but it hasn't had a ton of use. The polyurethane holds up pretty well and its thinner than your standard lines. They are pretty proud of it though.

If you're in CO, discount fishing on the front range has "seconds" lines that are super cheap. Cheap enough you dont worry about replacing them more often.

 

[SharkDog]

Airflo has lasted better than Rio for me, too. Those are only two brands I’ve used, though. I haven’t been fly fishing that long.

 

[westwatercuban]

Where did you buy the fly line? If it was from Sportsmans they will pretty much accept any return.

 

[nervouswater]

I’ve always splurged for the high end SA lines and never had an issue with them over 20+ years, and I fish and practice casting a lot.

 

[Norcalcoastie]

Wow! That line is toast. I have some Rio fly lines that are over 10 years old that still straighten out and float. With what they’re charging these days, I’ve stayed away and made my older lines work. I like Scientific Angler and Cortland.

sidebar with the prices of fly lines now around $100 (that’s still a shocker for me) there is now a plethora of cheap odd brand fly lines on Amazon that I’ve got to try. I can’t expect much from a $25 line but someone’s got try right?

 

[FishingUT]

I should also add that I never clean or condition my lines..so a lot of the degradation is probably my fault 🤷‍♂️

 

[westwatercuban]

Do you leave your line in your car or somewhere hot? I’ve never seen rio products do that except with old age. I have seen a lot of bad fly/fishing line all due to improper storage and use. Im not saying you don’t know how to care for you’re line, very well could be a bad batch or just a poor product.

 

[upacreek]

I will NEVER spend money on fancy fly lines. Its just not worth it.

 

[nervouswater]

No offense, but you aren’t a particularly good caster if you can’t tell the difference (or don’t see the value) between a cheap and high end fly line. I would put money into a fly line over a reel any day of the week in freshwater.

 

[Idaho_ski_bum]

Scientific Angler's Sharkwave Anadro is my go-to for 5-6wt rods. I had a fly line crack and check like that, but it lived in the back window of my truck on a gun rack every day for 5 years.

 

[FishingUT]

I really like the sharkwave but a lot of people are polarized on the noise it makes. And sweet baby jesus does it burn the hell out of your hand when a fish runs before you get it on the reel! Happy to pay that price for a nice fish though.

 

[Taku]

Have used Orvis lines for a long time. Both cheap ones and some better ones. Have lasted well with use and years both.

 

[Idaho_ski_bum]

I really like the sharkwave but a lot of people are polarized on the noise it makes. And sweet baby jesus does it burn the hell out of your hand when a fish runs before you get it on the reel! Happy to pay that price for a nice fish though.

It does sound like a zipper, and I have had some line rash from a fish running hard. I've been told they smoothed it out after the first generation to reduce both noise and friction on the hands.

 

[gravelroad]

Have used Orvis lines for a long time. Both cheap ones and some better ones. Have lasted well with use and years both.

SA has made Orvis lines for a long time (and Orvis has owned them for about 10 years now).