GB2151121A

GB2151121A - Fly line

Info

Publication number: GB2151121A
Application number: GB08333100A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Wulff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-12-12
Filing date: 1983-12-12
Publication date: 1985-07-17
Also published as: GB2151121B; GB8333100D0

Abstract

A fly line of predetermined length, approximately one-half or more of which extends from an intermediate portion of the line and a widest diameter and tapers evenly and continuously down to a minimum at the forward end of the line which is adapted to be attached to the leader, the remainder of the line extending in the opposite direction being of relatively small diameter which could be level in nature for attachment to the reel or to the backing therefor. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fly line This invention relates two an improved lineforfly casting.

There are four main typical fly casting lines: level, double taper, weight forward, and shooting taper.

These are ordinarily braided with a plastic coating, although the shooting taper head may be attached to a monafilamentshooting line.

A level line has a uniform diameterfrom end to end.

The length of this line is typically seventy-five feet as it is difficultto cast anyfartherthan this but, of course, level lines may be made in any length and in various diameters depending on the rod with which it is to be used.

The double taper line has a taper at each end and is normally ofthe same diameter at its central section as a corresponding level line. The tapers consist of gradually decreasing diameters from the relatively thick central portion toward the ends, merging into short level terminals. Atypical double taper line is of ninetyfootoverall length, with e.g. a sixty-six foot center and ten foot long tapers. As with a level line, either end ofthe double taper line is usable for the leader and fly, the other end being wound on the spool ofthe reel. The fly can be cast more delicately using the double taperthan with the level line.

Greater distance can also be had with the weight forward line which has a heavy section at the fly end of the lighter main length of the line, and a typical weight forward line is ninety feet overall, with a two foot level forward terminal, a ten foot taper, a twenty foot thickest part, a very short reverse taper, and a fifty-five foot main length.

A shooting head taper line is a variation of the weightforward type. The lines are formed by extruding plastic over a suitable core, but the shooting head taper can be connected to a seperatesuitable monofilament. The variations in diameter are variations in the thickness ofthe plastic coating. There are other types which are not well-known and do not concern the present invention.

There are two main ways in which to use any of the lines to castoutafly.These are explained in detail in the publication by the applicant and Joan Wulff, "Casting with the Fly Rod" which is an excerpt from a book, "Fly Fisherman's Complete Guide to Fishing with the Fly Rod". This excerpt is copyright 1978 by Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. Another reference is McClain's"Fishing Encyclopedia". Briefly, the most used method is "overhead"; that is, extended line is taken completely off the water, turned over in the air above and behind the caster on the back case, with rod erect, or at eleven o'clock, forming a loop in a vertical plane, and then driving the rod forward and down to return the line out straight onto the water, with or without an additional length of line.

The more unusual method is called "roll-casting".

Keeping the fly on the water, the rod is slowly brought back and up to about the same back cast position, and then driving the rod forward and down, whereupon the line (and fly) are lifted up in a "Roll" in the airand moved forward to alight on the waterin a straight line.

Most people find the roll cast more difficultto accomplish properly, but it avoids complications with the back cast which is behindthecasterwhilethe roll cast is in front of the caster where it can be observed.

The present invention improves the line to make accurate and delicate casting easierand longer, especially aiding the roll caster.

The present invention comprises a fly line having a forward taper for approximately one-half or more of the entire line. The advantages include better casting because for most of the cast the energy from a greater diameter of line nearthe rod is passed on to the line of lessening diameter with a constantly increasing factor as the roll ofthe line moves forward.While this improves the conventional overhead cast, it provides an especial benefit to the roll cast.The proportion of thetapered portion of the line to the level line to the rear, or reel side of the line may vary considerably and can be less than one-half the total length to a great deal more than one-half the total length of the line, but the main characteristic of the new line is the very gradual taper of approximately one-halfthe length of the line so that practically all the loop is tapered. This also has the ability to present the fly with maximum delicacy since the long front single taper keeps the heavier, more visible sections of the line farthest from the fish. Accuracy in distance casts is also controlled much better than with forward taper lines of the prior art. Also, the novel line is suitable for a wider range of rods than the prior art types of fly lines.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying draw- ings in which: Figure lisa composite diagrammatic view of the main typical fly lines of the prior art; Figure 2 is a diagram ofthe invention; Figure 3 is a view showing a fly caster ready to execute a roll cast; and Figure 4 is a like view illustrating the roll cast.

Figure 1 showsthechieftypical priorartflylines.

The level line of constant diameter end to end is indicatedatl0.

The double taper has a central thick portion 12 and at each end a taper 14,16, tapering to a short level terminal portion 20 and 22.

Aweightforward line is shown at 24 having a forward reduced level terminus 26, and a taper 28 and a long shooting line of relatively small diameter at 30.

A shooting taper 32 has a terminal level 34 and a connection 36 to a long level shooting line not shown but which may be monafilament.

In all these cases, the drawings show approximately the various lengths of the different parts ofthe lines and most commercially available fly lines do not vary from these measurements to any great extent.

The present invention is shown in Figure 2, and the proportions ofthe different parts ofthis line are very different from the prior art, but the overall length is about the same as most fly lines; i.e., about ninety feet. The first fiftyfeet orthereabout of the line is one continuous taper down to the leader, not shown, from a point 40 about halfway of the ends of the line. One example is thatthis taper is aboutforty to fort-five feet, butintheillustrationthistaperislongerthan one-half the length ofthe line and is indicated at 42. Avery good fly caster can cast ninety feet of line, and a lesser casterwill probably get out fifty to sixty feet.Thus, in long casts the entire taper will usually be in the water and the largest diameter ofthe taper will be ahead of the rod tip.

The next section of the linetowardsthereel may be very short; e.g. four to six feet, see 44. This section tapers reverselyto the level shooting line 46 about thirtyto forty feet.

Thebestlineformaking a roll cast isa linethat tapersconstantlyfrom a large diameter and heavy weightto a fine diameter and minimum weight near theflyforthe leader connection. In roll casting such a line, the heavier line nearthe rod is constantly passing its energy on to lighter line as the roll moves forward.

This is much more efficient than roll casting level line or level line sections where the line in the "roll" must liftand push forward line of equal weight.

This invention is to have a roll casting taper in the front half (approx.) ofthe line and then use this long roll casting segment as a forward taperor"head"to make long overhead casts. This forward tapering belly can be used by normal casting to make casts of approximately the same distance as those made by forward tapers or double tapers now available.

Someotherexamplesofthenewlinefollow: Length about 90 feet overall with a forward taper in the neighborhood of 56 feet; tapering from .070 inch at the greatest diameter to .035 inch at the forward end; a short reversetaperfrom .080 inch to .035 inch to the opposite end ofthe line.

Length 90 feet, forward taper 50 feet from .060 inch to .030 inch; short reverse taper, to 34 feet at .035 inch.

Length 90 feet, forward taper 40 feet from .050 inch to .025 inch; short reverse taperto 44 feet at.035 inch.

Length 90 feet, forward taper 40 feet from .040 inch to .025 inch; reverse taperto 44feet at .035 inch.

These examples will cover most rods in the range from trout to salmon and bass.

The great advantage of this fly line are: (1) The ability to roll castforthefull distance oftheforward tapered section far better than with any other line, (2) to be abie to cast the fly with maximum delicacy because the long front singletaper keeps the heavier, more visible sections of the line farthest from thefish, and (3) to be able to cast well for distance. No other type of line now available has all these advantages.

To sum up: This line will roll cast better and with more delicacyforthe full distance of the long front single taper (and leader) than any other type offly line.

In overhead casting (the conventional method), it will permitthe most delicate presentation ofthe fly because ofthe long front single taper which keeps the heavy, more visible section ofthe linefarthestfrom the fish. Itwill permit "shooting" the forward single tapered section for long distances in overhead casting while still delivering the fly with greater delicacy than the presently available fly lines.

The lengths ofthe fronttaper, the backtaper and the running of "shooting" line will vary with the length and power ofthe fly rod with which it is to be used.

An example of the newfly casting line, which is to be used e.g. with an eight foot rod using a conventional No.6 line, would taper from a diameter of .025" at the forward end to .050" e.g. 42feetorthereabouts, dropping backto .030" the next four feet, for example, and continue backtothe rear end of the line say 44 feet, at a diameter of .030". This line is efficient with the eight foot rod, preferably graphite and weighing two and one-half ounces.

Another line could be longer in thefronttaper and shorter in shooting line with appropriate diameters, and there are many other forms ofthe invention dependent on the rods to be used, within the purview of the invention and coming within the limits ofthe

Claims

claims herein. It isto be particularly noted that in Figures 1 and 2, the various thickness ofthe lines are greatly exagger- ated in order to better illustrate the invention. In fact, the eye cannot pick out the differences in diameter of the forward taper except over lengths of several yards. According to the type of rod used the length of the forward taper of line in accordance with the invention may be between one-third and three-quarters ofthe length of the line and preferably lies within the range of two-fifths to two-thi rds ofthe length of the line. CLAIMS

1. A line forfly casting comprising a length of line approximately one-halfofwhich comprises a con tinuous taperfrom a widest point adjacentthe center ofthe line down to a minimum at the forward end of the line where the leader and fly areto be located.

2. Thefly line of Claim 1 whereinthetapered portion is greater than one-halfthe length ofthetotal fly line.

3. The fly line of Claim 1 wherein the remainder of the fly line is substantially level.

4. Afly line forfly casting comprising a certain length of line having aforward poionforattachmentof a leader and a rear portion for attachment to a spool of a reel orto backing therefor, approximately one-half of the line atthe forward end thereof tapering from a thickest portion adjacentthe center line to a narrowest portion adjacent to the forward terminal ofthe line to which the leader is to be applied, the remainder of the line being generally level of less diameterthan the tapered forward portion of the fly line.

5. The fly line of Claim 4wherein the tapered portion is continuously and evenlytaperedfrom its widest portion to its narrowest portion.

6. The fly line of Claim 4wherein the tapered portion has a length which exceeds one-half of the total length of line.

7. Afly line for fly casting having a total length of approximately ninety feet, a forward end to which the leader is to be applied, a following end which is to be attached to a fly casting reel orto backing therefor, wherein the tapered portion of the line tapers evenly and continuously from a maximum to a minimum at the forward end ofthe line and approximately fifty feet, there being a reverse taper atthe intermediate portion of the line atthewidestdiameterthereof, said intermediate taper being very short and joining with a level portion of line of between thirty feet and forty feet in length,theterminal end portionofwhich in a direction away from the taper is to be applied to the spool of a fly reel orto backing forthe same.

8. A lineforfly casting comprising a length of line having a continuous taperfrom a widest point intermediate the ends of the line down to a minimum attheforward end of the line, the length ofthetapered portion ofthe line being between one-third and three-quarters of the length of the line.

9. A line according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described in the particular examples.

9. A line according to Claim 8 wherein the length of the tapered portion of the line is between two-fifths andtwo-thirds ofthe length of the line.

'10. Alineaccordingto Claim or9whereinthe tapered portion is greatertha one halfthe length ofthe total fly line.

11. A line according to Claim 8 and substantially as hereinbefore described in the particular examples.

Superseded claims 1-11 Neworamended claims:

1. A line for fly casting comprising a length of line having a continuous forward taperfrom a widest point intermediate the ends of the line down to a minimum attheforward end of the line, and a short reverse taper from said widest point, the remainder of the line extending generally level at a small diameterto the rearward end of the line, the length ofthe forward tapered portion ofthe line being between one-third and three-quarters ofthe length ofthe line.

2. A line according to claim 1 wherein the forward tapered portion extends for approximately one half of the length ofthe line.

3. The fly line of claim 1 wherein the tapered portion 15 is greater than one-halfthe length ofthe total fly line.

4. Afly lineforfly casting comprising a certain length of line having a forward portion for attachment of a leader and a rearportionforattachmentto a spool of a reel orto backing therefor, approximately one-half ofthe line at the forward end thereoftapering from a thickest portion adjacent the center line to a narrowest portion adjacent to the forward terminal of the line to which the leader is to be applied, the remainder of the line being generally level of less diameter than the tapered forward portion ofthefly line.

5. The fly line of claim 4wherein the tapered portion is continuously and evenly tapered from its widest portion to its narrowest portion.

6. The fly line of claim 4wherein the tapered portion has a length which exceeds one-half ofthe total length of line.

7. A fly line for fly casting having a total length of approximately ninety feet, a forward end to which the leader is to be applied, a following end which is to be attached to a fly casting reel orto backing therefor, wherein the tapered portion ofthe line tapers evenly and continuously from a maximum to a minimum at the forward end ofthe line and approximatelyfifty feet, there being a reverse taper at the intermediate portion ofthe line atthe widest diameter thereof, said intermediate taper being very short and joining with a level portion of line of between thirty feet and forty feet in length,theterminal end portion of which in a direction away from the taper is to be applied to the spool of a fly reel orto backing for the same.

8. A line according to claim 1 wherein the length of the tapered portion ofthe line is between two4ifths and two-thirds ofthe length ofthe line.