Neville said: "I prefer clear lines for both floating and sinking. In fact, for sinking lines I believe it makes a huge difference over a fluorescent or bright opaque line. <snip>
I do not like bright fluorescent lines because I believe they put the fish down, dependent of course, on the circumstances." --- I think that mono-cored clear floating lines are still a recent, developing technology. Future products should be much improved. Manufacturers are experimenting with the formulation of the coating that surrounds the clear core. I prefer the Monic brand coating. Clear flylines are really best for stillwater flyfishers. In rivers, it might be too difficult to follow the path of the fly in challenging lighting situations. Stream fishing would be easier. As primarily a stillwater flyfisher, I use three clear lines extensively. A Cortland 444 Camo intermediate line, the Monic All-Weather clear floater, and the Cortland 444 Ghost Tip (not the 555). If I had the money, I would also add the clear fast-sinking full sink line from Air-Flo. I agree with Neville that fluorescent or bright opaque lines can be a problem when fishing for spooky or educated fish. The standard recommendation for New Zealand fishing is to arrive only with earth-toned, subdued flylines. In fact, some guides will dye client's lines to tone them down before taking them out onto the water. In bright sunlight conditions, you can false cast a fluorescent line over the fish at Sugar Creek Ranch in California and watch them scatter in panic. That truly drives the point home that fish see these lines. Before going to the expense of buying a clear or earth-toned (tan, sage green, grey, etc.) flyline, see how much longer you can make your leader without introducing casting problems. Extending your leader 5 feet is pretty much equivalent to having a 5' clear tip flyline. If you have problems when you lengthen the light tippet end, then add heavier mono onto the butt end. We have stillwater flyfishers in Central Oregon who won't hesitate to go to a 20' leader if the fishing demands it. Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
