Scientific Anglers Sharkskin Ultimate Trout Fly Line

I'm an 80+ day per year fly fisherman, and I indulge my passion in both fresh and salt water. Recently I spent a week in Patagonia fishing for brown trout and used the Sharkskin in 4, 5 and 6 weight iterations with great success. Some first impressions:
1) The line loads easily for close in casting and shoots like a dream. On the first day, I found myself overcasting many trout.
2) Because of the lines' pebbled and dimpled constuction, roll casting and take away are enhanced.
3)This dimpling creates what was an initially annoying "zing" sound, much like that of a bow on a violin string. I got used to it, but my guide found it annoying. In addition, while not a factor with trout lines, this textured line could easily burn fingers while fighting a bolting bonefish or an angry tarpon.
4) SA claims this uber priced line will outlast conventional lines by a wide margin. Due to my limited experience, I cannot attest to that claim.

In summary, I contend...Read more

I purchsed SharkSkin 3wt and tried with my Orvis HLS 7'11" 3WT mid-flex rod in mountain creek in Japan where bush are close, water runs fast, and fish get spooked very easily.

Fly line shoots out fast without slowing down much, so I can easily turn over my 18 feet long leader (5x taper + 7&9x tip) to deliver small fly to spooky trout. Line sits on top of water surface helps making quiter presentation and light pickup helps greatly for mending and rollcast. I have tested it with dry, nymph, and wet. They all worked wonderfully.

For windy situation in river,lake, or coast; I'm going to purchase SharkSkin 5wt after I have my 5wt rod repaired. Looking forward for Salt Water series and shooting line!

Bought the Sharkskin line #6 recently primarily for lake fishing for trout. I was very impressed with the ease at which this line is cast, even into winds. I find it easier than my other lines to throw long accurate casts. (I primarily fish high-end #6 lines, weight forward or triangle taper for my lake fishing) I find my false casting has been reduced and I've had no bother targeting individually rising fish quite accurately with a single cast. It gives the feeling of having a nice weight behind it when you cast it but it's also delicate when it hits the water. There is minimal line memory from this line. It's as good as you'll get in this respect.

Having said all that, the primary drawbacks of the line are as follows (with the risk of being repetitive):
1) The noise it makes as you cast, but you get used to this.
2) The friction burns you may get from the line. This is because of its texture. I was using the line for some wet fly fishing where the...Read more