Most Skagit-style spey setups these days involve a separate running line – the thinner diameter line behind the head that isn’t involved in casting, but allows mending and line control and a ‘handle’ for you to pinch when you’re swinging your fly.
We’ve written quite a bit about running lines here on the Deneki blog. Way back in 2009 we did a running line roundup, and we’ve done a few articles with posts on how to manage running line, how to avoid tangles, and how to hold your loops.
Running line trends seem to change every couple of years, though, so today we thought we’d find out what you’re using on there on the river in 2014.
What’s Your Favorite Spey Running Line?
Your fellow readers would love to know which running line you prefer, and especially why.
So, help a fellow Deneki reader out! Leave us a comment letting us know what your favorite running line is, and why. If you’re viewing this in a newsletter or a reader, click here to give your input on our web site.
Thanks, and have fun out there!
In warmer weather…Amnesia
Colder, Airflo ridgeline
I used to hate mono running line. Because of the lack of grip, now that rio created gripshooter it became my favorite running line.
I switched to Grip shooter and love it!!
I like Rio’s Gripshooter as well, except for the excessive line memory. Most often I am using Airflo’s Ridge as I find it has the best “grippiness”. The extra distance I get from mono or mono enhanced lines like Gripshooter is not usually as important as keeping the line pinched during a cast on a cold winter morning.
I use 30# Berkley mono running line on my Scandi rig. I don’t have trouble with line memory if I strip off a good section of line once in a while and give it a good stretch then wind it back on the reel loosely. I use a wrap of rubber tape for traction to grip the mono. Works for me. 🙂
Airflo ridge running line for me. Shoots well, nice big loop to change heads easily and doesn’t tangle much and low stretch so you feel everything especially when combined with an airflo head. Good price as well
airflo miracle braid for me.
I have had the best results from Varivas 36lb on my spey rods. Does not kink with slight effort to remove twist and floats well after retrieval. I get the most distance. I had a steelhead severely wrap my Airflo Scandi head around a rock in mid river last fall, and with some very heavy tugging I was able to retireve the head and the fish was unbelieveably still on with Rio Fluro Plus 13 lb. It slips the grip sometimes but this is minimal. I only like integrated lines on my switch rods since I often fish with the head in the guides and the loops can create havoc.
30# FlightWave Nylon Kite String
OPST SP LAZAR LINE
Airflow ridge because of its handling and shooting ability.
Sufix Shooting Line (50.00 lb) or Guideline Compline (50.00 lb). Both are slick and shoot like crazy. Never had problems with grip on 50.00 lb mono. The only problem with the Compline is the price 🙂
Hey guys, what is your favorite lens color for the Smith Chromapops? I can’t seem to find your old post in this regard….thanks!
Finally got some OPST lazar line – amazing stuff. We’ll see how it holds up, but it shoots and handles beautifully, and no coils or memory
Rio Gripshooter is great but does not hold up. I have had it break in half fighting a king, I have had the grip portion peel off three times on three different ones
I call it the shitshooter now. Also there is serious memory and knoting issues when it is cold
but man it will let it fly kind of expensive to replace every 4 months
I fish a lot so if you are out couple times a year then it might be fine if you fish it weekly pass
Rio products are having serious quality issues
Varivas #47 is a wonderful shooting mono. Since it’s not getting enough props in this string, I just have to make sure it gets its due. Kings on the Kanektok? No problem. #20+ pound sea run browns on the Rio Grande in TDF? No problem. Handles great and shoots great. (I second David K’s comment about gripshooter. The grip portion peels, and quickly becomes shitshooter.)
Airflo Ridge Running line. And in 2016, they are coming with the same good running line, but in Super Dri version. It will fly, float and shoot like hell !!
Best and most durable running line on the market
For me, that i fish under extreme winding conditions. OPST LAZAR Line, Z-Speed from ZSpey. Now Henrik Mortensen, SALMOLOGIC, develope a new running. i don’t probe it. Regards from Chile
You can’t go wrong with any airflo line. I have the smooth super dri running line. 🙂
Lee says
August 29, 2014 at 9:20 am
Finally got some OPST lazar line – amazing stuff. We’ll see how it holds up, but it shoots and handles beautifully, and no coils or memory
Lee, what size of OPST lazar line?
Aidan
I’ve tried most running lines over the years. The past 5 years it’s either Varivas or Compline.
A short while ago i gave up my mono running line in favor of Miracle Braid. Though much more costly i believe the benefits far outway the cost differences. It shoots like a rocket, lifts off the water with ease, and will not slip under my thumb until i want it to. I dont find it terribly abrasive to my hands even in freezing conditions as it doesnt stiffen much when cold.
I’ve tried many and 35# Compline is my favorite.