Odd idea...

Anyone ever try significantly underlining on the Erie tribs? I'm talking 2-3 lineweights. With all the lead normally used in trib drifting, the weight, I would think, would be more than made up, you aren't really throwing pretty loops anyway, and the lighter line would probably cause less drag & disturbance.

Not sayin' this is the way to go, just asking if anyone has tried it.

Essentially the same principle. Thanks for responding. I'm guessing it handles just fine with lead on the line or you wouldn't bother with it?

Good point, Kev, I guess I'm thinking more of a middle ground between fly and noodle, and that it might help to reduce line weight to compensate for the weight on the line.

Also, it's easier, for me at least, to get consistent drifts with fly gear as opposed to spinning. Far more accurate.

When I was up in Alaska a month ago the quides put flat mono on some of the guys fly reel figured if you were going to do that might as well use a spinning rod. They say it has less drag, of coures they were using the bead system. I caught just as many fish with fly line and flies.

Just got a 10 ft. 7 wt.I have a 7 wt. Battenkill for on it, but the line is a 5 wt. I haven't tried it yet. I use a 9 wt. for early season combat. It had a 8 wt. weight forward, but was getting a little scraggly. I reversed it, and now it is skinny. I haven't trie it yet, but it should work well for the no finesse plunking and dunking at the erie tribs. Of course I put a new furled leader on it, same as the 7 wt. (5 wt. in disguise).I'll be using the 8/9 at the One Fly.