Viking Lars | Saturday, 18 May 2024
Years ago the Jet Stream line design hit the market. As far as I remember the first version had very long heads in the 70’-80’ range. They were designed by former World Champion James Chalmers. I had one, I really enjoyed casting it. It was I think the best long belly, full spey line I’ve ever cast. I haven’t cast many, though.
I can’t remember if I ever got to fish it, but I cast it a lot - very a lot. I wore it out quite quickly as the coating wasn’t good (clearly). It was a garage production, so they also varied some in weight, but that honestly doesn’t matter too much on a long belly line.
I seem to be on a roll of FPs spawned by my Scotland trip. In a local shop, Twin Peaks. I spotted a Jet Stream line, an 8/9 55’ head. It was reasonably priced. As I remember they were never expensive as such. The guys in the shop told me they aren’t made anymore, so I grabbed it.
I have a 13’6” rod that’ll be perfect for this line. When the water level is low, nothing beats a full spey line for light presentations with long leaders. It’s not that long casts are needed very often, but the presentations, line control, mending ability and very little shooting line to retrieve makes full spey lines great fun to cast and effective too.
I haven’t fished one for a long time and I may not even encounter the conditions to do so. Maybe if I can squeeze in a back end season trip to Norway. But it’s fun, so I’ll put in on a reel and take it to the lake.
The lines didn’t have the best coating, but the latest ones were better, according to the guys in the shop. So I expect it to be more durable and if not, it at least comes in the most luxurious packaging of any fly line (ever, I think) and that tin can be used for something else.
Have a great weekend!
Lars