Been switching up between fluro and mono for swinging fly. Frankly I dont hook enough fish to notice any pattern... What do the fly guys think, does fluro help (other than losing gear)?

i dont like flouro..

My thoughts are we use to use that red Maxima line, if fish hit that what would they care about a hint of green on some P-line 12lb. On the other hand, anything I can do to keep from spooking a fish I'm all for. Any other thoughts out there?

The have heard flouro doesn't break down over a reasonable time (say a season) as non flouro does. That said, I stick with 15 or 17 straight UG in the winter, maybe dropping to 12lb in the lowest of waters. I don't believe steelhead are leader shy.

I'll use fluorocarbon in the summer, H2O Yo-Zuri. I used to be an old Maxima Ultragreen veteran but if a stealth leader is not needed my favorite material has been Pline CXX moss green last couple years. It has the stiffness you are looking for in a leader material and is tougher than nails. If you like Maxima Ultragreen try Pline CXX, it handles like Maxima Ultragreen but on steroids. One of the best lines tested for breaking strength.

For swinging I don't bother with fluoro, especially on the wetside. Water clarity isn't all that great and it seems like the bite is a reaction thing, not finesse.

On the eastside summerruns, the water is usually clear, the fish are quickly educated and by late fall moving in to winter slow water presentations. So, for nymphing I'll frequently use fluoro.

Thanks for the input guys. I'll roll with the 10lb CXX (breaks at ~20lb) and call it cool.

DS,

Another vote against flouro. Maxima has been my standard for over 30 years. I fished with Bob Tuesday and mentioned that I've yet to break off any steelhead anywhere except the Thompson on 8# Maxima. This was in the context of my only fish of the day hitting while I was using some flouro given me by a friend, 17# no less. My fault for using it at all, but I wanted to give it a test. But I noticed that when I hung bottom, it seemed to break easier than the Maxima I typically use. Well, same thing happened on the second jump the steelhead made. It didn't handle the sudden jerk well at all. I'm tossing all the flouro I have laying around before we head to the Bahamas on the 20th. I think I'll take my chances with 8# nylon mono.

Sg

I heard about that SG - that sucks. Oh well, better to have hooked and lost then not hooked at all - I say.

Maxima Chameleon.....

25-12...enough said.

Mf

Another ex Maxima UG user here. I used it ever since it hit the market but newer lines have came along and replaced it for me. The thing that I really liked about UG was its stretch and shock resistance. For a direct replacement P-line CCX is very good as well as Trilene Big Game. I do use a lot of fluorocarbon in clear water, but the only brand that I like is Seaguar. I've probably tried every fluoro on the market, but either they have little or no shock resistance or the knots will slip due to its slipperyness.

Ouch SG, that is a hard way to learn that lesson. I'll take it to heart and pull it from my gear.

So other than costing more, breaking easier and needing to be babied when tying knots its some amazing stuff...

It might sound weird, but Berkley's Vanish is a great fluoro. Seems to lack the "break when shock loaded" tendencies of quite a few of the other fluoro's.

Don't knock it until you've tried it


PS - It's cheap as well.

You still owe me a response on my dolly lama question and my guide spacing question. You must have thought I forgot, or that I didn't care. Well your wrong buddy. I am waiting...

























Still...


















Waiting...

Hardest hit ive ever had on a fly came on a flouro leader, snapped like a twig and Ill never even "experiment" again. 12-15lb UG for me in the spring

You tha man KK. I will spend the next few days figuring out what you said and let you know how it goes

Flouro Sucks.... Period. Steel aint line shy so why use it? I've towed drift boats with 10 lb maxima!