The modern equivalent are the T type tungsten impregnated lines like the T-8, T-11, T-14 etc. Level lines you cut to desired length and weld or whip loops to, just like the old leadcore trick. T lines cast a bit better.

Whilest I have not conducted tests on every sinking line, or even a fraction of whats available, I will say that on my 8 weight rods, the Teeny 300 is the fastest sinking line, and one of the best casting lines, I have ever used. I also loved the Rio Leviathan 250, it was a 26' sinking head with intermediate sink running line. Cast like a rocket, sank quickly as well. I have tried Cortland and SA full sink lines and found casting them to be less enjoyable. They still didn't sink like the Teeny lines. The full sink running lines also seem to tangle more at my feet when fishing. I should use my stripping basket, I know, but it usually gets forgotten at home.

Back in the 60’s sinking lines were pretty much limited to SA Wetcels. This was a major breakthrough at the time and we immediately began cutting them up and making shooting heads or splicing them to floating lines to make a sink tip. Then some of the hardcore steelhead and salmon guys in Northern California like Bill Shaadt and Jim Green started cutting up leadcore trolling lines and making shooting heads. It took one hell of a caster to use these, but it did make it possible to reach fish in water that had previously been too deep and fast to fish. And it resulted in more fish being caught. As lines have evolved we have seen the market fill up with specialty lines. Among these are the Teeny T series lines, which are basically sinking shooting heads with integrated running line. These lines cast like rockets and sink fast, making them excellent tools to reach fish in deep water. Yes, you can improvise. You can make your own heads from trolling line or level sinking lines and save a few bucks or in my case because I like tinkering with them. But in the end, the best line is usually the one that was designed for the task at hand. For those who enjoy building your own lines, there is an excellent book by Al Buhr with detailed information on the subject.

http://www.redshedflyshop.com/LINESLOOPS.html

0.032" = 0.8mm
not going to peel it down to running line, but it's a lot skinnier.

If anybody is interested, there's a thread on TKF - on the saltwater page - but I've written long essays on sinking lines and techniques, including my soapbox about weighted flies - mostly on page 2 - page 1 has flies and great fishing stories, page 3 has eats - of course my slime lines and Teeny.
http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/foru ... 1&t=248434

T130, but I measured T200 also and they were the same.

ok, I'm back - measured my TS450 at 1.2mm, so a T-300 is going to be about 1.0mm

Great thread HFF. This has inspired me to pick up another Teeny line. I have the BS-100 for my 4wt Sceptre and I finally found a shop that had an old (new stock) T-130 that they dug out of their storage for me. I’ll tell you, it was tough to find, but I thought it’d be perfect for some Fall streamer fishing I have planned.

If you can get away with it, try using 10 yards of "lead core" for a shooting head. That'll get it down there quick. We started out flyfishing in the saltwater in southern California doing that. But remember to wear a BIG hat!

Can you explain that, just a bit? I have one of the Cortland 30' lead cores that I was going to use as a sink tip and never got around to cutting it. Steel-headers used to think they were great stuff til the T14 came out, so I read.

I had thought the fly line eliminated in the casting picture, the plastic coated lead acting like the plastic coated tungsten fastened to a 'running line' and capable of shooting- never tried it though. I had thought to cut the 390g 30' to a shorter lighter piece and that 150g would act like 150g.
Thanks for the info saves me banging my head.

So the lead core will cast if the running line will shoot? I have an older level 5wt line that I had intended to use with this and rig for a 7wt rod.

Thank you, at this time I'll probably never do it but it is why I bought those lines.

This shop's website says they have 12 T-350's in stock. They also have 12 T-250's available as well.

https://www.bigyflyco.com/TeenyTS-Series-detail.htm

You might check and see about availability.

Good luck,
Coach