Fishing The Fly Scotland Forum

Mike Barrio

Barrio SLX Fly Line
« on: 22/12/2011 at 22:58 »
Following up on last year's research and development ... some new toys are coming along nicely and should be available in early 2012 :cool:



Cheers
Mike

Hamish Young

Re: Testing Prototypes
« Reply #1 on: 22/12/2011 at 23:20 »
Me like  :cool:

:z3

Rob Brownfield

Re: Testing Prototypes
« Reply #2 on: 23/12/2011 at 09:39 »
Is that an orange head and white running line I see?

Hamish Young

Re: Testing Prototypes
« Reply #3 on: 23/12/2011 at 11:26 »
Pretty close Rob  :wink

H :z3

Ben Dixon

Re: Testing Prototypes
« Reply #4 on: 26/12/2011 at 12:08 »
Yup,

Very nice line, very excited by this one.  Probably the best all round line I have come across to date.

Cheers

Ben

Euan Innes

Re: Testing Prototypes
« Reply #5 on: 26/12/2011 at 19:49 »
If that's the "fishing" line that had a chuck with recently then, yes, it's the best line going. :z16
Just loverly, guv.

 :z1

Mike Barrio

Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #6 on: 02/01/2012 at 14:37 »
Hi folks :cool:

The new Barrio SLX fly lines have now passed the research and development stage and should be available from stock towards the end of this month, or early in February.

Here is a wee video testing the 6wt prototype :wink

Best wishes
Mike


Hamish Young

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #7 on: 02/01/2012 at 16:48 »
I am perhaps a wee bit biased, but I think the new line is the proverbial dogs danglies :cool: It's seriously good and unquestionably the nicest fishing line I've used bar none.
A very worthwhile addition to the range and a line that should be in everyones armoury :z16

H :z3

danbruce

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #8 on: 02/01/2012 at 16:53 »
Looks like a sweet line Mike! :z16

Just need the lessons to go with it so i can cast like the video. :X1

Think i'll be buying one once they are in stock. What range of weights you doing them in?

Cheers :z18

Dan

Mike Barrio

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #9 on: 02/01/2012 at 17:04 »
Hi Dan :z16

The SLX will initially be available in WF4 to WF8, but we are working on a WF3 for the future too.

Best wishes
Mike

Irvine Ross

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #10 on: 03/01/2012 at 08:43 »
Mike

How about a wee bit of information on the head length, taper etc. How does it differ to the GT90?

Irvine

Hamish Young

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #11 on: 03/01/2012 at 11:07 »
Very different concepts in line design Irvine, specs will be forthcoming shortly I'm sure.

H :z3

Ben Dixon

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #12 on: 03/01/2012 at 11:40 »
Hi Irvine,

The line has a head length of about 33' with a short belly and a series of multiple compound tapers to the front.  The rear taper is also compounded and stepped allowing for sweet loops and fast shoots from rolls & Spey whilst still retaining stability on longer over head casts.
The SLX is not designed as a distance line, this was not even a thought during the design process.  It is designed to fish well at common ranges, from 20' to 70' (although it is relatively easy to straighten at 100'+) in a range of situations from both over head and roll casts.
Superb on the river for short range accurate stuff, loads well at close range so superb for representing a team of traditionals dibbled back to boat or tube back out to fishing range with minimal false casting.  The heavier weights are very happy to carry poly leaders and salmon flies from Spey casts or a team of lures for stillwaters.  Great line also for making fast shoots when pitching dries to cruising rainbows on still waters.
Turnover is positive but very controllable, the line really likes tapered leaders and gives accurate predictable presentations when throwing at big Don lumps where potential shots are always limited.
I've put the samples in the hands of anglers of all abilities from relative novices to Master instructors and all the feedback has been very positive.  The SLX has something to offer all levels of angler, advanced casters will be able to do some pretty clever stuff with it and thanks to the positive turnover, visible head and colour change, less advanced casters will get repeatable, predictable results every cast and good range with minimal effort. 

Definitely my go to line in 2012  :cool:

Video of Kevin

Cheers

Ben


Peter McCallum

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #13 on: 03/01/2012 at 22:25 »
He'll have someones eye out with those loops  :z4 :z4   :z13

Ben Dixon

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #14 on: 03/01/2012 at 22:55 »
He'll have someones eye out with those loops  :z4 :z4   :z13

Yeah, pretty tidy I thought but he'll still wring my neck for posting that clip  :z4

Ben

Mike Barrio

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #15 on: 03/01/2012 at 22:57 »
I've seen the full size version of that clip in HD at Ben's ....... awesome casting Kevin :z16

Cheers
Mike

Mike Barrio

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #16 on: 03/01/2012 at 23:05 »
Although the main stock won't arrive for a few weeks yet, I have got a number of SLX WF6F fly lines in stock ( none of the other weights I'm afraid ) and anybody interested in one can order a WF6F now at http://www.flylineshop.com/barrio-fly-lines.html

Best wishes
Mike

Kevin Muir

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #17 on: 04/01/2012 at 12:51 »
To put things in perspective about the video, I asked Ben for a casting lesson to improve my double haul as it was to be honest very underpowered and not very effective.  Crap timing and a long way from being smooth and in any form of control would have summed up my double haul before the lesson started.

We met up and he gave me his teaching rod and line to work with, boy was this a steep learning curve, I knew the basics of the haul, the how and why but making the cast properly seemed a long long way off when I started to cast his rod.  After a couple of hours of fairly intensive work (sore arm), it was time to pick up my own rod.  everything started to click into place after lots of "less power comments" everything started to get a bit better.  Still not spot on yet, but heading in the right direction.  Thanks for the casting lesson Ben the difference in my haul before and after the lesson was dramatic.

The combination of the rod and the new SLX line is just spot on, the turnover for roll casts and "NORMAL range" fishing casts, ie shortish casts of 20 to 50 feet required almost no effort and the presentation is great.  This outfit was a Christmas present from me to me, a #6 tip flex Helios, not cheap but what a rod.  I tried the Access and also the tip flex Helios for a #5 line.  After a brief play with the #6 Helios in the park at Banchory I hated the rod, really did not gell with it at all.  I like the #5 much better but that was probably because it was a bit softer, I have a softer #5 rod so after a bit of discussion and another play with the #6 I decided to heed the advice and bought the #6 Helios.  Am I glad I did, oh yes.

After casting the line for a week or so, I can only confirm what has been said above, a fantastic line Mike, I will be getting other sizes when they are released.

All the best for the 2012 season.

Kev.


Euan Innes

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #18 on: 04/01/2012 at 14:55 »
After a brief play with the #6 Helios in the park at Banchory

Funny how those little "sessions" always end up costing us money, isn't it?  :z7

 :z1

Ben Dixon

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #19 on: 04/01/2012 at 20:59 »
Funny how those little "sessions" always end up costing us money, isn't it?  :z7

 :z1

I've never forced you to spend anything Euan, you talked yourself into that Access.

By the way, your new reel came in.  If you spend another £10 you'll get a cuppa and a biscuit when you come in to pick it up  :z4

Euan Innes

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #20 on: 04/01/2012 at 22:46 »
I was wondering if it was in by now.
I'll be in when I can mate (and time it so my wife is nowhere near Banchory)

 :z1

danbruce

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #21 on: 21/01/2012 at 21:35 »
Hi Mike,

Just to let you know my order arrived this morning. Visually, I have to say it looks great and I can't wait to try it out. :grin

Great service will certainly be picking up a few more bits and bobs soon.

Dan

Mike Barrio

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #22 on: 24/01/2012 at 14:51 »
Thanks Dan :z16

The main stock of the new SLX fly line should arrive at the end of this week.

Best wishes
Mike

Sieger Devries

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #23 on: 24/01/2012 at 17:05 »
Write me down for a 5 line of you would Mike.....

Mike Barrio

Re: Barrio SLX Fly Line
« Reply #24 on: 24/01/2012 at 17:24 »
Write me down for a 5 line of you would Mike.....

Will do ...... thanks Sieger :z16

 




Barrio Fly Lines - designed in Scotland - Cast with confidence all over the world

Barrio Fly Lines

Designed in Scotland

Manufactured in the UK

Cast with confidence all over the world

www.flylineshop.com