New lines always promise high floatation, extra distance and slickness to improve casting. One of the most recent lines to hit the fly fishing market is the Sharkskin Line in the Ultimate Trout Taper from Scientific Anglers. The blue heron colored line has a gritty feel, which is actually a precision textured pattern that raises the surface area of the line off the guides. The idea is that the less line surface area contacting the guides during casting will mean less friction and more distance.
The first noticeable attribute about casting the line is that it creates a sound, as the fine grit on the line contacts the guides. The sound is similar to a zipper on a tent being opened or closed, as the line is stripped in or cast through the guides.
The Sharkskin’s second most notable attribute is that it shoots really, really well. The line’s slickness is a step above most other lines and the textured surface no doubt offers extra distance, although it is not a replacement for poor casting abilities. Once the rod is loaded properly and line is released with the correct timing, the line “sings” through the guides on way to its target.

The Sharkskin line has a longer head than many other popular lines we carry. Shorter, heavier heads such as Airflo’s Ridgeline, Joan Wulff’s Triangle Taper or Rio’s Clouser Line load faster action rods more quickly with less effort. Airflo’s Ridgeline uses a similar line surface technology which loads stiffer rods more quickly, and is ultra slick without producing any sound while casting.The longer head on the Sharkskin line requires more fly line to load faster action rods properly. Short, stiff, fast action rods may not be the best choice to pair with the Sharkskin Line, unless the caster’s style is extremely aggressive and distance oriented. Fishing larger rivers or streams which allow casting at greater distances would be a good fit for this line. The line would excel on softer action rods and bamboo where casting dry flies twenty to thirty five feet is common.
After numerous days of fishing the Sharkskin line on the Gunpowder, the line does float high, is extremely slick and can no doubt add distance to casts. The line “singing” during casting may turn off some anglers, or the line may not be a good fit for nymph fishermen who rarely cast for distance in the traditional sense. The Sharkskin’s long head made for tough roll casting and “flip nymphing” fifteen to twenty feet of line, although the line is designed more for distance than nymphing. We have demo lines spooled up in the shop for four and five weight rods for anglers interested in casting this line out back.

Purchase a SA Sharkskin Fly line on our secure site.