Talking about silk fly lines today makes you think of those old-time trout fishing stories, long cast, silent rivers, wild nature, in short, bygone days that it is sometimes nice to remember. But now let's go back to the present because I want to talk about modern silk fly lines. The construction method has not undergone major changes from the past, but the profiles evolved and adapted to today's rods and casting standards, so that they can eventually be better than PVC fly lines. In the past I fished a lot with classic silk fly lines and I always appreciated the quality. During this last fishing season I finally had the opportunity to test some models of new conception. I could do it before they were introduced to the Italian market and I wrote several reports. I could figure out and consequently record that a significant qualitative improvement has been made.
Why fishing with a silk fly line? Usually, those who use it for the first time immediately notice more smoothness than a PVC fly line and the rod loads and cast more easily. The softness of the material allows the fly line to softly lay down on the water. It adapts more easily to the currents, thus resisting line drags. In addition, the small diameter allows better cutting off the wind and making very delicate poses. I would say that is not bad at all!
Au Ver a Soie is a company that has almost two hundred years of history behind it. It was born in 1820 as a silk yarn supplier for high fashion in Paris, claiming to be a producer of excellence, able to provide the best quality to the great French brands of the last century. From the beginning, they also joined the production of silk lines for fly fishing, then abandoned with the advent of synthetic materials, and finally resumed it with the latest generation owner Marc Boucher. In recent years, the company also embraces the technical expertise of Michel Rigault, previously a consultant to the prestigious Pezon et Michel.
I personally prepared the Pêche à Soie Silk Line DTR Double Taper for the use, with the newly loops hand made by needle and thread. This is a double taper silk fly line of 30 meters, now available in two models, whose peculiarity is that it can be used with rods 3, 4, 5, 6. Yes, you read it well, a fly line that performs on all the cane rods in my possession. That's what I meant when talking about innovative profiles.
Obviously I tested and I own other silk fly lines produced by Peche a Soie with the classic Pêche à Soie Silk Line DT, Pêche à Soie Coda Seta ST e Pêche à Soie Silk Line WF, but I'll talk about them in future articles. At this point I already know what you are asking for, because I am constantly asked by those who are curious to try them. And what about maintenance? Is it fine for bamboo rods only? Are you only fishing on dry fly? A minimum of maintenance is certainly required. It is simply to unwind the line portion used at the end of a fishing day, and allow it to dry for at least two hours. Sometimes I let it dry all day and I rewind it on the reel just when I remember it. Then, sometimes, let's say every three or four fishing days, when i rewind the silk fly line I delicately treat it with its grease included in the box.
Silk fly lines can be used even with modern rods made by any kind of material, allowing any tool to get the best of its possible performance. And the fishing techniques? I use the dry fly and I also love to fish with wet flies, in general I try to adapt to the situations I find on the river. My suggestion is to try one, perhaps in conjunction with your favorite rod, which you know well. I'm sure you will have some pleasant surprises. For any question, in-depth or curiosity, please feel free to look for me on my Facebook page Stefano Ferri Bamboo Rods or on my Instagram profile Stefano Ferri Bamboo Fly Rods, you will make me happy.