Rio’s entry level line: Mainstream

[none]

Anyone tried Rio’s ‘entry level line’, the Mainstream?

It’s an affordable line (the prices of lines went to the roof the past 5 years!) and it casts great.
How about durability, floating characteristics, etc.?

I just orderd a WF5F to replace an Orvis Wonderline (1st generation!)

More of a general question:
are the lower end lines so much less than the high end (and highly priced) lines?

Jay

[jgary]

I have two of the Mainstream Saltwater lines, in 8 and 10 wts, and I think they are great, especially for $34.

[none]

Some more expensive lines have special characteristics (like soft even in cold conditions) which make them specialty lines. If you fish a lot in cold conditions, then it’s worth it.

But lets do some math:
If you can buy (almost) two regular lines for the price of one expensive high end line, would it be weird to use an entry level line (assuming that it IS a good line) for ,say, two seasons and get a new one for season three and four? I think you can use a high end line for four seasons but I doubt it will be in shape during season four?

Jay

[greg mitchell]

There was a really hot discussion on entry level lines vs top of the line ones on another board I frequent. Some maintained that the $60 lines were by far the best and that this is what most fly fisherman should buy.

But I and several others maintain that a lot of the entry level lines are great and that you give up very little performance wise by using them. My favorite line is the Bass Pro CV2. It is $19. It casts great, floats high, and has been a durable performer for me. In fact my wife has Rio’s top of the line $60 line on her trout rod – and neither she or I can tell a difference between it and the CV2 line on my trout rod. Maybe the Rio floats a little higher but beyond that….

I don’t have one but I have no doubt that the Rio Mainstream is a great line at a great price. I’ve not found anything made by Rio to be anything but top notch.

Greg

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