Ceri Thomas gives us a long term review of a fly line he's been using for a couple of seasons
Most mainstream magazine fly line reviews are done with the product fresh out of the packet, with just a few casts made on a tame calm casting pond – not a real ‘test’ at all in my book!
In this review I take look at a fly line that I have fished with for two full seasons now – It’s the Airflo Super-Dri Xceed in a 3 weight.
When I first selected the line, I had small stream fishing in mind – the Wye and Usk wild streams to be precise.
With its shorter compact head, the specification of this line looked perfect for ‘quick loading’ casting situations, i.e in a stream channel with confined back-casting space, or under a claustrophobic tree-lined canopy.
Additionally, I was looking for an ultra tough line – knowing just how rough and unforgiving these little streams can be. Airflo make their lines out of polyurethane, not PVC so they tend to be a lot more rugged and hard wearing.
Whilst spooling up the line I noticed just how smooth and slick it felt compared to the older generations of Airflo ridge impact lines. The small welded loop was also a nice touch, and would enable me to seamlessly add a 5 foot floating polyleader and a few feet of tippet.
Once on the water I found the line floated nice and high, even right at the tip – again a big step up from the last generation. The slick 'Super-Dri' coating really did what it said on the tin, sitting high in the surface film for quick lift offs and easy hook sets.
The presentation was delicate and controlled, and the line landed pretty gently even with my worst casts. Roll casting under thick cover was also effortless, loading up my 7’6 #3/4 Streamtec rod with ease.
The ‘pumpkin’ colour was great – ideal for picking out your line in a dark tree lined tunnel, or in the evening dim, but not so flash as to risk spooking fish.
Now for the long term durability - wild is just the right description for these small rivers on the Wye and Usk scheme. Your fly line can and WILL get caught and snagged up in every rocks, tree, bramble and bit of barbed wire imaginable. Plus it will get stood on – almost inevitable in such cramped, overgrown venues. My Xceed line did, every outing. But hey, it was all part of the challenge!
The line also visited Wisconsin, Madeira and Ireland where it saw action on mountain torrents, overgrown spring creeks and pasture streams where every bit of vegetation and stone conspired to tangle with the line at my feet. Throw in exposure to high temperatures, DEET and sun cream and I began to wonder just how much punishment this line could take.
Amazingly, after two action filled seasons it remains remarkably slick and high floating, with the coating smooth and un-cracked. There is nothing more than a slight cut in the head (caused by me yanking it through a tree in a rage) and that doesn’t affect the casting or buoyancy one bit. To be honest I don’t really look after my lines, and have never actually cleaned this one - so it’s surviving remarkably well on its own.
I won’t name names but over the years I used every other fly line manufacturer out there, and for rough and tumble small stream fishing you can forget about your PVC based offerings if you fish a lot. One £50 premium line lasted me six weeks before it felt like sandpaper and sank at the tip and back end of the head.
In conclusion, I am more than happy with this fly line and have confidence that it will just keep on going for a third season (and more) on the wild brooks.
If you are looking for an extremely durable line that offers decent value for money (£39.99) combined with great performance, I don’t think you can beat this one if you are a hardcore small steam addict.