[Mike Barrio]

Sneak Peek   

A new fly line for the river - Barrio Troutstream - to be launched over the next couple of weeks.

[Grant Montgomery]

Interesting Mike! Any wee clues on what it is taper wise. Is it designed around glass?

I have a new reel (The VR from Kerry) still to spool up with a line to use with my Steffen 4/5, so might hold off. I was going to re-spool a DT5 406 line but don't want to be too hasty ha ha!

Thanks
Grant

[Iain Cameron]

that is a tease and a half, mike. Look forward to hearing more about this

[Sandy Nelson]

 

[Sandy Nelson]

Any wee clues on what it is taper wise. Is it designed around glass?

Not specifically Grant. I'll let Mike release the details when he is ready, but the general premise was to create a line that would do a similar job on a bigger river like the Don, as the Smallstream does on a smaller river. So quick to load, but staying totally stable as you increase distance. It's all Mike's genius at work, but I've been doing a lot of the testing and the side effect is he has created a line that is just superb on glass rods. It's been brilliant on all the rods I've tried it on. I've actually been fishing with it for the last 4 years as Covid and lockdown kiboshed the original plan. Its awesome that now the production is back to the UK he is finally able to produce it.
I may have had a hand in the colour choice 

Sandy

[Grant Montgomery]

Thanks Sandy, would you reckon a 5 weight on the Steffen then?

[Sandy Nelson]

100% My 2pc 804/5 has been involved in the testing and they really like each other a lot. It also throws the 4wt rather well too

[Mike Barrio]

Hi folks 

More details to come at launch obviously.

The Troutstream has not been designed specifically for glass rods, although as Sandy mentioned above, it does happen to fish rather well on them.

The new line has a 30ft head and features my original transitional style tapers.

The Troutstream is very much about natural versatility - when I'm in the zone on the river I really don't want to be thinking about my gear, I simply want to lift, pause, cast, and maybe add a wiggle or curve in there before the fly arrives where I want it to go.

That might be fishing a dry, a couple of spiders, or a bushy indicator fly with a nymph or two under it, at 20ft or 60ft - I want smooth casting, predictable control and of course, nice presentation.

[Iain Cameron]

Ah, was planning not to buy any tackle this year…. But this sounds tempting indeed

[Mike Barrio]

For more details see - https://www.flylineshop.com/barrio-troutstream-fly-lines.html

I have WF3F - WF5F available in the webshop.

And the WF6F should hopefully arrive next week 

[Andrew Boswell]

So without trying to over simplify things Mike, would you say this is somewhere between the Smallstream and the GT90?

ie the easy loading benefits of the SS, but the presentation benefits of the GT90?

[Mike Barrio]

ie the easy loading benefits of the SS, but the presentation benefits of the GT90?

That's a pretty good summary Andrew   
But it's perhaps more about the smooth transition between the two as you extend your range, which I think is probably why Sandy likes it so much on his glass rods.

[Andrew Boswell]

So:

Ythan = Smallstream
Don = Troutstream

Or something like that!

[Sandy Nelson]

Ythan = Smallstream
Don = Troutstream

I’d be more inclined to say Urie =Smallstream
Unless you are talking about the Ythan upstream from methlick

[Sandy Nelson]

Took the production line out for its first foray yesterday on a nice but breezy day.



It’s every bit as good as the prototype but with an even better coating. I managed to get it a decent stretch too

[Mike Barrio]

Nice one Sandy, great to see them being enjoyed 

[Andy Finlay]

I've been a fan of Mike's lines over the years since first buying a mallard and have him load it onto a reel for me in his little hut at Haddo. I've had multiple 5wt floaters from mallard, gt90, 125 and SLX over the years.
I ventured away last couple of seasons to try some other brands but having had a chat on here with Mike about what i was looking for decided to give the new troutstream a try.

I do not fish anywhere near as much as i used to and only been out a few times recently with the troutstream and even with my lack of  casting techniques its a joy to fish. Perfect for dry fly, spiders or wets on the Don. 
It for me is a lovely all round line. Short casts or long I'm actually finding it pretty effortless to get a decent line out with decent presentation.
Also, I had 3 days in assynt, and the line was ideal for my style of fishing up in the west coast which tends to vary significantly depending on the wind, i.e long cast out with as much line as possible for me or very short single cast whilst moving along the bank.
Genuinely think this is the best all round line I've ever used out of all of Mike's lines.

Hopefully I'll get some evening fishing on the Don soon and possibly get a fish worth taking a photo of.

Oh tried it on a Mackenzie FX-1 and a Winston BIIIx 9ft 5wt and brilliant on both.

Basically, trying to give credit where it's due, its a great line Mike and you and your team of testers (Sandy) have produced a great product.

[Mike Barrio]

Thanks Andy, I'm really pleased that you are enjoying your line 

Cheers
Mike