[Kai]

I've occasionally heard rumors about the new Sharkskin lines increasing wear on guides. It's never been first hand information, however. It's "I heard from someone that he knows someone who had his guides wear out because he used a Sharkskin line on his rod."

These lines have been out for quite a while now, and it seems like if they are wearing out guides, someone should have some first hand knowledge of it.

Anyone out there have any verifiable information about Sharkskin lines and wear on guides?

[wfosborn]

I've been using Sharkskin on my 8wt since last fall, and my 6wt since April. No problems on either of them yet and they both have caught plenty of char and salmon with it. Also haven't had anymore problem with the line burning my fingers than with a standard line, but I still always tape my fingers now. A large Coho can burn you pretty good no matter what line you have.

One interesting thing I have noticed about it is that the coils of line I have at my feet start to sink when I'm fishing in salt water though, I'm not sure what that's all about. Floats fine when I cast it out.

--W

[Jackster]

Originally Posted by wfosborn

One interesting thing I have noticed about it is that the coils of line I have at my feet start to sink when I'm fishing in salt water though, I'm not sure what that's all about. Floats fine when I cast it out.

--W

Coils breaking the surface tension is my guess.

[wfosborn]

Originally Posted by Jackster

Coils breaking the surface tension is my guess.

I'm sure that has something to do with it, but shouldn't the line still float though since it has a lower density than water? Especially since it was in salt water?

--W

[OldMan]

Originally Posted by wfosborn

I'm sure that has something to do with it, but shouldn't the line still float though since it has a lower density than water? Especially since it was in salt water?

--W

Do you have coils laying on coils? That would push it under.

[Joni]

Originally Posted by OldMan

Do you have coils laying on coils? That would push it under.

Can you elaborate on this?

[OldMan]

Originally Posted by Joni

Can you elaborate on this?

A fly line is in a delicate balance between floating and sinking. It's only capable of floating with it's own weight. Put a coil on top of another is like doubling the weight on the line closest to the water. I would think it would sink.

I haven't tested this, so I could be wrong. There has to be some answer of why the line floats by itself, but not by your feet.

[Joni]

That sounds pretty good to me.
If nothing else, it looks good on paper...right?LOL

[mojo]

Often when casting and my line's in the river/stream it'll sink. I think it's just like Jack said. Breaking the surface tension. My line doesn't coil in what you would call small coils (like coming off a reel coils). It's more like pulling line in and dropping it the water. And for my height that's a long way down.
I think that makes sense.

[Joni]

I was going to say that also in that our line is floating down stream. I don't know what surf is like. The waves go out and come in so I can see it coiling at your feet.