Opinions: Fly Line for Great Lakes Steelhead

Hopefully, by the time the first major runs start coming in, I'll have a 7 or 8 wt setup just for that purpose. I'll be able to get a flyline that will probably only see usage as a steelhead line so i'd like to get something that will excel at that application. Most lines on the market advertised as "Salmon/Steelhead" lines are intended for the long-distance steelhead fishing done on the other side of the country. Obviously, you dont need (or even want) any specialized "distance taper" on a GL trib flyline.

I was looking at the SA Mastery Nymph line as a good choice, designed to turn over weighted flies, shot, and indicators, all staples of GL trib fishing. Anyone use this line and have an opinion of it? Anyone have any other favorite line specifically for steel? I know a special line isnt needed, but I have to get a new line either way, and except for a little bass fishing, this will be the only use for it, so I might as well get a line that will be ideal for this type of fishing.

I looked at intermediates & sink-tips, but I'm not sure that's necessary, or even desirable, for most trib fishing conditions. The SA Mastery Nymph seems line it was made to use with tactics most often used for GL steel.

cold, when i started fishing steelhead i actualy got a level 8f line. it was under $25.00. i got this because i wasn't sure whether i would like steelhead fishin (funny thought huh?) i used the line for 2 years without any problems and it held up. i only got another line because i got a 7wt. i still have the 8wt. when my son comes up to fish.
in the erie tribs you don't cast very far and even when i felt i had to there was enough weight on the end of the line to carry the line as far as needed. i didn't fish the lake banks so i didin't need it to cast very far.
though it's hard now to find a dt. line in 7 or 8wt., i still feel dtf. is the way to go.
though i don't have the experience as most on the forum fishing steelhead i would stick with a floating line. not sure how well a sink tip would work.
most of cortland lines, 444 and 333 are rated for cold weather. this is a good thing to have on your side so the line doesn't get real stiff. 
i never used the sa lines though so it might be worth it but i'll stick with a least expensive line. 
~just my exp.

dude
buy the cheapest line you can...
nymphing Erie Steelbows doesn't require casting or precision

most fishing is done within 30ft (at most) and your not even casting
you don't need anything but a cheap floater
you can over line or under line... it doesn't matter
i wouldn't spend more that $20 if i were you
ice kills line... dirty water kills line... rip rap kills line

ORIGINAL: KJH807

dude
buy the cheapest line you can...
nymphing Erie Steelbows doesn't require casting or precision

well said.

i spent the money and got orvis stellhead taper floaring line and lets just say it is on my backup rod i now use wulff triangle taper and cortland 555.  the big thing is u want something thats soft and not gonn get stiff in the cold water if u fish in the winter.

cold you could sell me that 3wt lol

quote:

the big thing is u want something thats soft and not gonn get stiff in the cold water if u fish in the winter.

Yes! That's, I guess what I meant to say. I know I dont need any kind of advanced line, but I want a line that will stay soft & supple in cold weather.


 
at the time all ihad was my orvis steelhead taper line (junk)  and i went to mexico and fished with it it went way to limp amd was very hard to cast just something to think about..   the  feakn bath water and the 95* temps killed it

it was all i had at the time got two small bones and a couple other fish befor it got to bad..