There seems to be a new debate starting in the angling press in the UK, over the relative merits of DT lines compared to WF lines, particularily for river fishing. There is a view that the manufacturers are supplying less and less DT line models,
and that the choice available for those that like using them is becoming limited.
Do any of you prefer DT lines for your river fishing, and do you think the manufacturers are biased towards WF lines?

Airedale.

The life of a DT line can be as much as twice that of a WF cuz when the business end wears out just flip the DT over....could be economics on the part of manufacturers if what you say is true.
My line inventory is about 50/50 DT to WF with a TT or two thrown in. I use DT mostly on 4 wt and lighter rods.

I agree with Airedale I like dt on 4 wts and lighter because I mostly fish where presentation is more important (small creeks) with these wts

Hi All...

If memory serves me, through much of the 90s (or since the "River Runs Through It" movie) there was a lot of writing to the effect that WF was generally superior to DT and it seemed to be motivated by wanting to give newbies the best opportunity to see themselves casting acceptably as quickly as possible. The venders didn't want to miss any recruit with a checkbook because they got discouraged. The WT was just "easier" and, of course, with all the 90s apple sauce about needing to cast from here to Bulgaria, the DT took a backseat because, in untutored hands, it wasn't as easy.
The DT has its' place, or rather a lot of places, but it takes (imho) some experience to really take advantage of the DTs normal characteristics.
I've not heard the Industry is phasing out the DT and it seems hard to think they ever would. But it does seem like they aren't paying much attention to it. Seems like most of the focus is on the WT because it lends itself so well to being produced/marketed with some many taper configurations - something that isn't true of a DT.
Whether all those specialized WF lines actually produce any tangible benefit is highly questionable and each flyboy gets to decide that for themself. I think at least a couple of the special tapers are worthwhile but (imho) there are many that are no better than what might be called a "standard" WF taper.
My personal opinion - it would sure be dumb to quit making DTs altogether, but then, Marketing Depts. have certainly been no strangers to "Dumb".

Best,
5/0

Thanks for the response. I think the debate here in the UK has started because our trout rivers are generally smaller and perhaps lend themselves to shorter range casting with the emphasis on presentation which may arguably suit DT lines more. Also Uk retailers/distributors tend to offer a more limited range of products than you get in the US. To be fair thats probably due to a more limited (& conservative) market, but it does mean that tackle tarts like myself have to source our own stuff (thats why I joined!)

I have conceptualized all of my opinions on fly line tapers. By trial and error I have eliminated some "have to have" tapers. Spring/Clear creek WF lines come to mind. I found them difficult to cast especially on the light line rods these lines were marketed to. IMO those rods need at least some weight to load. With the long, light front taper there just wasn't enough weight there.
About the only nonstandard taper I have found to be useful is bass bug.
To my mind a WF line works best on rods you intend to (at least occasionally if not regularly) cast farther than 30'....much beyond that distance a DT overloads the rod.
I'm not sure why I like DT on 4 wt and lighter rods but they seem to roll/flip cast better and I think the front taper is shorter, loading the rod on very short casts...

Hi Airedale & Bucko...

Bummer the DT is so useful and yet so scarce for you. We're probably just the opposite - too many choices. I know the DT is still holding on pretty ewll in our Appalachian Mountain areas, which is a big chunk of real estate. Probably is also in New England. Don't know about the Rockies. What is the "standard" line used there for nymphing?
I agree with you, Bucko, about the trout tapers and the DT being a nice rollcaster. And (as I think you know), I've never been a big believer in Transcontinental casting anyway. Would also agree the Bass (and Pike) tapers are probably worthwhile because of the stuff being tossed with them But (imho) a lot of that other schmaltz is just a bid to fleece the sheep. Might be some specialized saltwater lines that earn their keep but all I know about saltwater wouldn't completely shade a #24 Trico.

Best,
5/0

I sort of agree withh 5/0. We both fish warm water 999.000% of the time for bass, gills, specks and pickeral, and wind here in Florida is mostly a constant. WF lines seem to be the logical choice here. You trout types talk a lot about sneaky, soft, gentle and quiet presentations. I can mend a WF line in flight, but doesn't mending on the water spook the fish and maybe defeat the great presentation? Just a random thought.
Nimrod

AND ANOTHER THING

I find that most DT lines regardless of manufacturer cast almost the same regardless of price.....
WF is a different deal. I find a great deal of difference between manufacturers on WF. Some (IMO) fall into the 1/2 wt catagory. I have changed brands of line and turned a POS rod into a decent caster.