Friday 21 February 2014

Airflo Sixth Sense Sinking Fly Lines
Feel is everything. Any aid to converting takes into netted fish is a plus.

With incorporated hang markers and low stretch cores. You know how much line you have in front of you. Plus have a means to determine between a weed stem hit and a take?










Given that I've been using the DI3 Sixth Sense Sinking line, for a few years now. I thought it would be appropriate to review it?

Since Airflo brought  low stretch cores to the attention of many anglers, their designers have grasped, that "feel is everything", when fishing.  ‎ It's no good having an incling that may have had a take. A responsive fly line will transmit this "Hit" right down the line, like a telegraphic wire passing a message. The 6% stretch sees to that!

Imagine being able to differentiate between a snag on a weed stem, to a pull from a fish? This is where reality steps in and shakes your hand. This bump and grind, where the tap, tap, becomes a thud, thud as a Trout realises it's hooked and tries to head for depth and safety?

Density compensation allows Airflo, to construct a raft of fly lines, for sub surface applications.  That can hit specific depths quickly and with the welcome addition of "Hang Markers‎", since 2012, these allow anglers to determine, just how much line lies in front of them. Plus use the markers as a "pit stop", in the retrieve.  Allowing a fish to make a split second decision, feed or leave?  This "hang" has turned many a following fish, into a netted capture. A great principle that's well thought out.

What do you get for your money? In simple terms a 35yd low stretch PU line, with three hang markers and no loops. No treatment required and is DEET and sunscreen resistant.

In performance terms: You lose very little energy, with a low stretch line during casting. So achieving longer distances,  is relatively easy. As most casting is, with higher density lines. Their thinner heavier mass, allows the angler to pop out, some great distances for less effort.

Built on the popular Delta Taper these are great casting lines, that will carry heavy fly patterns with ease.  ‎The line sizing on the Sixth Sense range is DI3: WF 5/6 - 8/9 then DI5, DI7 and DI8: WF6/7 - 8/9.

Colours are, DI3: Dark Green. DI5: Dark Blue. DI7 & DI8: Black.  Hang markers are situated at the rear taper: One 3ft long marker. 20ft: Two markers. 10ft: One marker.  These are incorporated on all the sinking range.

They come spooled on a carrier for easy one person transfer, to your favourite reel spool. Consider you backing requirements carefully, before spooling. You'll need more backing on a sinking line than when compared, to a floating line. Floating lines  have more mass‎ and require more spool space.  The box carries taper details and other product specific information, which you can check out at any Airflo dealer?

For me the DI3 line has been a real blast. A true performer in difficult conditions. The core is the true engine behind Sixth Sense lines and these lines drive, very well.  They also provide the all important feel, for me? Turning over flies at long range is easy.   No loss of line speed during casting, means I spend less energy casting and more time fishing.  Using the hang markers are a doddle and break your retrieve, into controlled stages that work well.

If you've yet to experience a range of lines, that'll blow your socks off! Try the sinking range of Sixth Sense fly lines. Once you've tried one, you'll end up with a few more in your fishing tackle?

For more info on these and other Airflo Fly lines, look to fishtec

You can also get more tech spec info at airflofishing

I'll let Gareth Jones have the last word.


Thanks for reading

Best regards

Stuart:)