It is currently 29 Mar 2024, 05:13


New Topic Add Reply
Author Message
Steffen 4/5
Post 14 Aug 2022, 12:40 • #1 
New Member
Joined: 07/16/16
Posts: 12
Location: UK
Hi,

Been messing about with different lines on my 4 piece Steffen and still not sure what I like best.

Anyone tried a S.A. Frequency Boost WF4 on this rod? I see it's half a size heavy and thought it might 'split' the difference between the Steffen being a 4 or a 5.

Thanks!


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 14 Aug 2022, 15:44 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 06/21/06
Posts: 3081
Location: Orygun
I've never played with that particular model, but with both my two Steffens (5/6 and 7/8), for general fishing, I prefer the heavier of the two line weight designations. On my 5/6, I had played around with a 5, a 5.5 & a 6 when I first got it and the 6 always felt better in my hands. ymmv


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 14 Aug 2022, 15:51 • #3 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/20/07
Posts: 849
Location: US-TX
Happy to chime in.
I struggled finding the right line on mine too.

I do like the SA Boost lines a lot and I feel they are a pretty good value.

I have not tried that exact line on that rod, but I suspect it would be a pretty good choice. I did try a SA Boost WF5 and it was too heavy for it.

I really like both a Cortland Sylk WF5 and a Peach DT5 on my 8ft 4/5 wt Steffen.

IIRC, the SA Boosts run about 1/2 line weight heavy, the Sylk runs about 1/2 line weight light, and the Peach DT is usually pretty true to weight.

Did some sleuthing here for you - comparing red apples to green apples:

Cortland Sylk WF5
listed as 140 grains, with a 37 foot head

SA Boost WF4
listed as 130 grains for the first 30 feet with a 36 foot head (so maybe approx 140 grains with the 36ft head? - just a guess)

Cortland Peach DT5
listed as 140 grains for a 32 foot “head” (?)

[Side note: DTs don’t have heads and the weight should be measured at 30’, not 32’ so…. ??? Clear as mud, right?]

Anyway, bottom line is I think you’re in the right ballpark with a SA Boost WF4 on that rod.

A great rod with the wrong line is only so-so at best, but a great rod with “just the right line” can be fantastic and almost magical.

Good luck and let us know.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 14 Aug 2022, 16:09 • #4 
New Member
Joined: 07/16/16
Posts: 12
Location: UK
Thanks, that's really helpful. There are so many different line profiles nowadays, it can be a challenge settling for one.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 14 Aug 2022, 17:56 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 11/30/10
Posts: 1847
Location: Michigan
Hi, guys I find two options that seem to work best for most. Start with a 406 5wt line, if that does not make you happy I use a Royal Wulff TT5.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 14 Aug 2022, 18:17 • #6 
Guide
Joined: 07/14/20
Posts: 111
I echo the recommendation for 406 fly lines. I have found that the 406 DT6 makes my Steffen 8'6" 5/6 sing.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 14 Aug 2022, 19:15 • #7 
Guide
Joined: 01/18/18
Posts: 124
Location: Arlington, VA
Choptanked wrote:
I have found that the 406 DT6 makes my Steffen 8'6" 5/6 sing

+1 and the 406 DT5 also works quite well for me.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 14 Aug 2022, 20:08 • #8 
Guide
Joined: 04/06/10
Posts: 144
Location: US-NY
On the Steffen 4/5, I use a 406 DT in a 5wt. I've also used a Cortland DT 5 wt peach on the 4/5 with good results. My favorite is the 406 though.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 18 Aug 2022, 08:41 • #9 
New Member
Joined: 07/16/16
Posts: 12
Location: UK
Thanks everyone.

I managed to get a 406 DT5, and you were all right, it is a perfect match for that rod.

Shane, it is actually one of your builds so you were bang on about the fly line choice. I also have a TT5 and although not as perfect as the 406, still a great match!

Cheers!


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 18 Aug 2022, 11:18 • #10 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/20/07
Posts: 849
Location: US-TX
Nice!
I’ll have to try that one too.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 18 Aug 2022, 14:34 • #11 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
Guadalupe Bass, the 32' measurement for a DT is a historic artifact. Originally the first 1 to 2ft of a DT line were a light weight level line section, Something that you could tie a nail knot onto and not loose any of the taper if you had to cut it back a bit.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 18 Aug 2022, 17:35 • #12 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/20/07
Posts: 849
Location: US-TX
Got it…. that does make sense.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 04 Sep 2022, 19:13 • #13 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 10/20/11
Posts: 1880
Location: US-MD
Liked the s/a trout in a 5 on that rod… though the 2 pc in the steffen 4/5 is the only 2 pc rod I ever preferred.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 05 Sep 2022, 06:27 • #14 
Guide
Joined: 06/15/20
Posts: 260
Location: Toledo, Ohio, USA.
I have a 8' 3/4 Steffens and have had the chance to try it with an SA trout 4 wt and a Cortland peach dt 4wt. I prefer the dt. It seems something about dt just really works.

But I. Curious, beyond the intangible 'feel' what makes a line work on a rod, Steffens or otherwise? Is it the taper itself? Is it the thickness? The stiffness? And how do you know how various lines compare in that regard when a they lost is taper and grain weights?


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 05 Sep 2022, 08:07 • #15 
Master Guide
Joined: 03/20/07
Posts: 849
Location: US-TX
Personally I prefer progressive taper rods and in general progressively tapered rods seem to perform best with DT lines. There’s a physics explanation for it that I can’t adequately describe.

Other than that, for me, it’s a lot of trial and error.

I have collected a bunch of lines (mostly old) in various tapers and part of the fun of a new rod is figuring out which line it likes best. For example, I once acquired a rod that received rave reviews here on the forum and I felt like it was a dud… until I happened to try it with just the right tapered line then it came alive.

Someone else here can surely provide a better explanation….


Circling back the topic of the original thread…
I picked up a 406 DT5 for my 8ft Steffen 4/5 and I agree - it sings. I like it even better than the peach DT5. Appreciate the recommendation.


Top
  
Quote
Re: Steffen 4/5
Post 14 Sep 2022, 21:42 • #16 
New Member
Joined: 11/02/20
Posts: 10
I have a Steffen 7’9” 3-4, and prefer a Sylk DT 4 on mine. I also find it’s a “flexible” rod that will accept other standard taper lines…


Top
  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  

New Topic Add Reply



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bamboozle, kimosabe131 and 19 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
Google
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group