Sharkskin

Fly Fishing with Doug Macnair:
A Product Update©
Scientific Anglers Sharkskin

Doug Macnair

[img2="left"]http://www.landbigfish.com/images/articles/DM-SASharkspin1.jpg[/img2]What can I say? With the advent of Scientific Anglers “Sharkskin” fly line, I dare to suggest we have entered a new era of fly fishing, a quantum jump from what we have known before. Scientific Anglers calls it the “Ultimate Trout Taper.” However, after three weeks of extensive testing using a wide variety of 3 and 5-weight rods, I prefer to call Sharkskin the Ultimate Fly Line. In fact, I personally believe Sharkskin is the biggest happening in fly fishing since the arrival of the graphite rod.

What a line! It is a line, the likes of which I have never thrown before. Have you folks ever wished for a line that does everything well? I know that I have; and while some did a better job than others, none satisfied all the requirements. And what could the requirements be? Glad you asked:

• Cast a long line
• Cast a short line
• Roll cast a WF line like no other…
• High flotation
• Gentle water lifts
• Easy mending
• Low memory
• Increased shooting distance
• Reduced friction in the guides
• Tough and durable
• Gentle presentations at range…

Think about it!

I certainly do not profess to know much of anything about fly line design but I do know how I prefer a line to handle. Over the years I had come to believe that the ideal line was not attainable; Simply stated, too many things mitigated against the science of man such as the weather, the temperature of the water, and the wind to -- name but a few. About the best one could hope for were lines that worked very well in hot weather, or cool weather, or saltwater, or freshwater, but not all of the above. My [img2="right"]http://www.landbigfish.com/images/articles/DM-SASharkspin2.jpg[/img2]all-time favorite is/was the Mastery Bonefish. With it I could throw a long line in the salt flats or freshwater. With its long head, it would do battle with Mr. Wind except when he was howling like the Northwind’s train in Dickie Bird’s illustrated storybook of old. So what makes the Sharkskin so very good? The secret is a radical departure from the smooth-surfaced lines we have come to know so well, to a micro-pattern inscribed on the entire circumference of the line … said another way, it is a precise texturing process that embosses the fly line coating with a repeating geometric micro-pattern. Gone is the smooth finish of yesterday, and with it the flash or line glare that most of us have experienced from time to time. The embossed sharkskin can be optimized by varying the shape, depth, and frequency of the pattern. The result? Greatly improved flotation, casting performance, and overall line suppleness and durability.

SA reports over 200% improvement in resistance of the Sharkskin to be forced into the water, effectively improving line “flotation” beyond anything that can be achieved by the addition of glass bubbles or surface chemistries.

[img2="left"]http://www.landbigfish.com/images/articles/DM-SASharkspin3.jpg[/img2]As I pursued the workout of the Sharkskin, I couldn’t help but wonder about the integrity of the line coating with regard to cracking … SA explains, “… Actually, the opposite occurs. The engineered micro-repeating pattern effectively introduces flex points that increase the suppleness of the line and, in lab testing, the durability and resistance to cracking is up to 3X greater. A good analogy is how a bicycle chain, although made of metal, bends due to flex points in the links.” So much for my concerns…

Tell you what folks, spring for a Sharkskin and try it for yourself. My evaluation suggests is doesn’t make a bit of difference whether you fish bamboo, fiberglass, or graphite; nor does it matter whether your favorite rod is fast, moderately fast or progressive. Sharkskin likes them all.

The Ultimate fly line has a long compound head that stretches from 45-feet for the 3-weight, the lightweight of the series, to 60-feet for the 8-weight, the extreme on the heavy side. The running line is thin, strong, and supple and makes up the difference between the length of the head and 100-feet, the overall length of the Sharkskin series. The taper of the head, with two bellies, very much reminds me of the Mastery Bonefish. The new welded loop is wonderful allowing for my favorite connection … loop-to-loop.

Once you give it a flick, you are in for a treat. It casts effortlessly. I think you will find tight loops become your habit as well as long precise casts. Soon, you are likely to find yourself addicted to the line, making easy money by taking your buddies to the cleaners with “small” bets … Of course, a wise man will never mention he is using a Sharkskin, only the man who plays the fool.

Trust me. I will never tell…

As I said up front, the characteristics of the perfect fly line should stand against these requirements:

• Cast a long line
• Cast a short line
• Roll cast a WF line like no other…
• High flotation
• Gentle water lifts
• Easy mending
• Low memory
• Increased shooting distance
• Reduced friction in the guides
• Tough and durable
• Gentle presentations at range…

I am happy to report to all of you, Sharkskin more than excels against these criteria. It truly does do everything well.

For more information regarding these and other fly fishing accessories, visit http://www.scientificanglers.com/ or telephone: 1-(800) 430-5000.

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© Copyright: Douglas G. Macnair, 2007.