The GPX comes both as a WF and DT line (imagine the dialogue at the shop: Customer: Hello, I’d like the new GPX DT DTT SLL-line in a 4-wt, please. Shop: HUH?). I’ve tested the WF 5 and WF 6 in the new version with the Dry Tip Technology and the Slim Line Loops. Let me dwell on the line a little. The GPX-series is made half a rating heavier than the AFFTA-system indicates. That means that the when the head is aerialised, you feel a slightly deeper load compared to aerialising a similar amount of line on most other lines. I’ve cast the line on several, and only on a couple of really soft-actioned rods did it feel slightly heavy. The GPX WF-lines are really allround flylines. Turnover is good, even on distance and the line handles everything from small dries to a team of weighted nymphs plus indicator and streamers. Dryfly enthusiasts might find turnover a little too hard, but it’s easy to compensate for that with the right leader. Headlength for the 5-wt is 38ft, which I find perfect for an allround flyline. It handles everything from long overhead casts to speys and rolls well. The fronttaper ensures good turnover on all types of casts. The reartaper is short, which limits the amount of line you can carry – it’ll take some overhang, but not much.

Dry Tip Technology
The Dry Tip Technology is a higher floating tip, which gives some tangible advantages. The line is very easy to lift cleanly from the water, and the high floating tip gives a good strikeindication when fishing light nymphs – you won’t feel a world of difference when fishing heavy ones. Turnover is not affected by this technology compared to the “standard-version” of the line. The main line is Optic Green and the high floating tip is olive - the best of both worlds!

The Streamlined Loop
The loop was what I what most curious about. I’ve always been impartial to loops on my flylines as I have always felt that they affected turnover in a negative way. The new loops from Scientific Anglers were a pleasant surprise. They are very small and indeed quite slim. I tested the weld on the 6-wt – I tied a Perfection knot in a leader, looped them together and tried to pull them apart – I wasn’t successful, so the loops are strong. Turnover is really good as the loop is coated all the way around, and no soft hinges are created. I really can’t feel any difference compared to a needle-knotted leader.

Loop to loop advantages
I have fully accepted the loops due to the advantages they offer. First of all, the GPX is the line to use if you frequently change from the dryfly to deep, heavy nymphs, which I often do – especially in the spring and autumn. For nymphing, I use almost an “anti-leader” – just an adequate length of 0,18mm nylon – for dryfly I use a long tapered leader. The loop allows me quick changes and that has saved me carrying two lines and reels, and the change is much faster. I usually carry some extra leaders and when light is fading, trout are feeding on spinners and you get a tangle in the leader, precious minutes are saved just changing the leader instead of untangling a knot. The downside of having these advantages are that the Perfection Loop in the leader-butt is quite big and doesn’t pass easily through the guides, but the loop-to-loop itself slides nicely together. I might be a little obssive, but is also seems to me that the big knot also sprays a little more water when lifting off and on the first backcast.

On the whole, the GPX WF-line with the two new technologies is a great allround troutline.

Facts:
Scientific Anglers GPX (5-wt).
Total length: 90ft.
Tip: 0.5ft
Front taper: 6,5ft.
Belly: 26ft.
Rear taper: 5,5ft.
Head length: 38ft.
Color: Optic Green w. 5ft olive Dry Tip Technology high floating tip.
S.A.'a new Streamlines Loop.

Lars is a Viking and an FFF Flycasting Instructor.