spey line sink tips

[newsteelyman]

I am considering buying a spey otufitt and was wondering if anyone out there could answer a question for me. If I purchased a floating spey line such as the rio windcutter, would I be able to simple add say 8 to 15 feet of t-14 or a similar tip to the end of it or am I limited to buying a versi-tip style spey line.
thanx for any info guys.
BM

[Rick Baerg]

You are not limited to a versa tip but it’s nice because it has the nice welded loops. On the other hand, you can pick up a regular windcutter and chop it back 15 feet then add you loop. Most shops will do this for a small fee.

I personally prefer the non versa tip lines because they are missing one loop connection, as you can see from the image attached.

Here is a link to a small article on cutting Spey lines, http://www.flyfishbc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6

Another line you might want to consider is the Rio Skagit line; it is truly a West Coast line, designed for casting heavy heads and big flies. They are also relatively easy to cast and great for beginners to learn on. Here are some links to the two lines in this post. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any other question you may have.

Rio Windcutter
http://www.rioproducts.com/product.php?recKey=23

Rio Skagit
http://www.rioproducts.com/product.php?recKey=26

Cheers, Rick Baerg

[newsteelyman]

thanx for the tips rick, I think the skagit versi tip is what I am looking for but I see that rio rates in grains, not the regular line weights I am used to. so do I match up this grain weight with the rod-are they rated in grain as well?
thanx again for the info.

[SalaR]

Actually the Skagit line box shows both the grain weights and the recommended rod weight, The grain weight windows are somewhat different with various manufacturers ,yet close enough to be safely cast.. Some of the UK Manufacturers are much wiser and display on the rods the recommended gram weights for that rod,co-ordinated with lines in that weight category.
Loop tried that with the colour concept but the market didn't really get used to it. Now the rod manufacturers are getting more intune with the better rateing system of gram weight matches. an easy conversion from Grams to grains is to multiply the grams x 15.4 approx... the exact conversion is to divide the gram weight by 0.0648. The new standard rateings are as follows....#8=530,#9=600,#10=680 and #11=770 this is calculated at 55'.....however,this is only a guide but works well. The Skagit stlye compacts all this grain weight in 27' of fat line and then you add some kind of tip(s) that presents your fly to the level in the water column you wish;supposedly!
A similar rateing applies to single handers as well but we seem to not grasping that as well.
Have fun
C

[Rick Baerg]

thanx for the tips rick, I think the skagit versi tip is what I am looking for but I see that rio rates in grains, not the regular line weights I am used to. so do I match up this grain weight with the rod-are they rated in grain as well?
thanx again for the info.

Here, check out these two links below. It will help you match up the right line for your rod.

2008 Rod to Line list
http://www.rioproducts.com/photos/fi...ine%20recs.pdf

Older Rod list
http://www.rioproducts.com/photos/fi...ine%20recs.pdf

[newsteelyman]

thanks again rick. it's all making sense now. I think I am going to go with the skagit system, now I just have to find a rod and reel combo I like. that'll be the fun part-shopping.
thanx a million
BM