In an era when waders run just under $1,000 and fly rods about three quarters of their way to $2,000 it was only matter of time until fly lines hit $200. $200 for a fly line? Wow? That thing must surely add 25 feet to your cast or give you a shot at pinpoint accuracy. But who's buying them?
I went on the Orvis website to see what they had just in case I needed to add a new fly to my arsenal for next week's trip to the Vineyard. I found an SA "Magnitude" line that retailed for $179. It's touted as the "most durable and slickest floating fly line ever produced". But doesn't every new product claim to be the newest and best ever until the next cycle of products hits the market.
I swung over to Rio and found that most of their lines come in at $99.95, or let's just say $100. They did go over for their new "Coastal Crabber" line designed as a fast sinking line designed specifically for throwing crag flies to striped bass. I have to be honest, when I'm sight fishing and trying be stealthy a sinking line isn't what I go to. I use sinking lines when I'm dreading, and floating or intermediate lines when sight fishing. But to each his own.
Yes crabs scurry along the bottom but plenty of fly designs call for a floating or swimming version. If you've ever been on a boat you'll find crabs swimming by, so they do leave the sand to traverse or escape predation. I prefer to weight the crab flies rather then the fly line.
Of course it all doesn't matter if the weather doesn't cooperate. If the sun isn't up you can't see the fish until it's too late. If it's windy it's hard to tell the difference between wave and fish shadows on the sandy bottom. You could blind cast, and catch fish, but that's not my jam.
I took a peak at the 10-day forecast for the Vineyard. Last year we went this week and looking above I'm glad I'm not up there now. Hopefully the next week will look better, high bright sun with no wind. June 14th is the New Moon and I always like to fish around the bigger and lower tides.
On the home front no news is, well, no news. Offers are in. Now it's just a waiting game.