Well, I gave this line a good workout over the weekend and have to say I'm impressed.
River-Provo
Air Temp-60
Wind-<5 mph
Water temp-cold
Fish-trout
I was rigged with 9' 5X leader, 18" of 5X tippet. One weighted #16 copper John, 1 bb size spilt shot up 18" and an ice fishing bobber for an indicator 7' up. This was a heavy rig but immediately was surprized how effortlessly the line turned over the whole mess. I was casting about 25-40 ft casts, with an occasional longer cast just to test the line.
This nymph line is a heavy line, so first off I'd recommend using a mod-fast to fast action rod that can handle the weight. I was using a new Scott E2 905/4 which worked fine. Second, this line is not for delicate presentations of tiny (just below the surface nymphs). I tried this, when the trout seemed to be taking tiny bugs just below the surface, the line seemed too heavy and would generally scare the fish when it hit the water.
However, it works perfect for what the line was intended, and that is turning over weighted, wind resistant rigs, and that's how I'll use this line. The line is slick and smooth, and experienced no tangles or coils at all. The tip (orange) is somewhat of a gimmick in my personal opinion. It will undoubtably hook alot of anglers. Because the line is not a good choice for delicate nymphing, the orange indicator tip will never be used. (this is where it would have come in real handy BTW) Instead, most will be watching their strike indicator, set to whatever depth needed, as before. I did look at the tip every once in awhile though, just to see if it was still floating, and it was. Stayed high floating and bouyant all day. Bravo Rio!
Casting, you can really feel how the head of the line is weighted. Most of the weight is in the first 1/3 of the head. So, Just before the forward cast straightens out the line snaps forward pretty noticably, pulling all the flies, weight, indicator with it, and I mean straight. Therefore, line placement and accuracy are no problem at all. I did try roll casting too, although not recommed with a weighted rig, the line roll casts nicely.
Final thoughts- this is the best specialty nymph taper I've ever used and will be my goto nymph line all year. It's a slick, high floating, no memory line that works as advertised. Some will undoubtably buy this line for the wrong purpose, delicate just below the surface nymphing, and will be somewhat disappointed. Compared with SA nympth taper, there is no comparison. The Rio line is far surperior. The SA is a tip sinking, too soft, coiling mess, that doesn't cast or turn over a weighted rig effectively. Mine (SA line) is now in the trash, as it should be. Good job Rio on a fine product.
Nehil