Fly Lines from the 1970s

[Choptanked]

I have several bamboo rods that were built in the 1970s. I am curious about what kinds of the lines were most popular at that time for bamboo. For instance, were most people fishing real silk with bamboo then? Or was the Cortland Peach dominant? Which lines available today hew mostly closely to lines from the 1970s? Thanks everyone.

[jim royston]

Scientific Anglers Air-Cel Supreme. Maybe Cortland 444.

[DrLogik]

Cortland 444 Peach DT was the line I saw most often. Masterline's "The Chancelor" was also popular.

These:
http://www.belvoirdale.com/Masterline.html

[ffftroutbum]

Masterlines Chalkstreams and Chancellors

[kevinhaney1]

I think silk mostly went out in the early 60s, as they were replaced by the plastic lines, about the same time as bamboo was replaced by fiberglass.

Kevin

[16pmd]

Seems to me that the most popular quality lines in the 1970's were the SA Air Cel and Air Cel Supreme. Not sure which current lines are closest to those in taper design and materials with so many innovations over the past 50 years. I don't think the Masterlines back then were very popular nor that they were closest in design and materials to the Air Cels. They had a textured finish and a somewhat denser coating which made them float a bit lower, but cut through the air somewhat better, making them a favorite of the tournament accuracy casters. My guess is that the current moderately priced SA Air Cels are the most like their older ancestors.

[driftless angler]

I still use Air Cel lines (wish they would bring back a DT). They still Fish great! I have much more expensive lines, but I am wondering why after fishing the current Air Cel the last few years.

[bluesjay]

Hi Guys, SA and Cortland, even their cheap lines were good.

Jay Edwards

[Caneghost]

Perhaps the 406 fly lines are closer since they were designed from older classic tapers. They do have the current SA slickness coating so they perform well and are smaller diameters. I know that many of my rods like them. I have used the Cortland Peach DT line but not the AirCEL SA's. The Cortland works well and lasts well, though I do not like the color. Stealth guy.

[Perry Palin]

I lived in St. Paul, MN during the 1970's. 3M was a major employer, and fly fishermen would get their SA lines at the employee store for $5 each, Air Cels and Air Cel Supremes. We had a number of hobbyists or sideliner bamboo rod makers in the area. I have about 8 or 10 of their rods. It seems they made the rods to work with the SA lines. My Orvis and Paul Young rods from the 1960's work fine with the SA lines. In the 1970's we would see a few Cortland 444s on bamboo rods

In recent years I've fished these rods with the Peach and Sylk lines, and the rods like them. Also the 406. But to answer the OP's question, in my area it was the SA lines from the company store.

[fisherman911]

In the 70's my favorite fly line was an "Aircell Supreme " and then an "Air Cell Supreme II". I still have a few NOS lines in my stash. Today I like Air Cell 333 lines. Slightly shorter then standard at 82" that works just fine with classic reels.

[billems]

Put out an ad in our classifieds. Last year I wanted an air cell supreme II, and a generous fellow sent me a new one in a box, and insisited not taking money for it! I saw an ad in FBs marketplace, where a guy is selling a lot of air cell surpremes. That line is all tht Ed Van Put fishes.

[JohnMD1022]

I was fishing the south-central Pennsylvania limestone creeks in those days.

On the LeTort, it was unusual to see anything other than cane rods, Eddie Shenk excepted.

On Falling Springs one saw a mixture of cane and glass.

Kingfisher silk lines were $10-12 ordered direct from Farlow. Cortland Peach was also quite popular. Fat tip diameters were frowned upon. The #1 silk lines (IEI) micced at 0.021-0.022, while the Peach was 0.032. SA lines measured 0.036-0.037 and were considered unsuitable by some.