Recently I was sent RIO’s WindCutter® II fly line to test out. This fly line was given to me to test by RIO, but all other RIO products I mention in this review were purchased. My fiancé and I have fished Rio fly lines, leaders, and tippets for years and were not disappointed with this line. It came to us the perfect time of year because spring is infamously windy in the Gunnison Valley.
It cast very well and I noted a significant difference in its performance in the wind compared to other fly lines. It was great for fishing dry flies and streamers in the very windy conditions and really punched line through with no sacrifice to accuracy. I was able to hit small pockets while fishing from our boat on extremely windy days and catch more fish than I may otherwise have been able to. At the very least, I lost fewer flies to the bushes.
The secret to its performance in the wind is this fly line’s unique taper. According to RIO, “this taper was designed especially for western rivers where delicate presentations are required in windy conditions.” I can vouch for its achievement of that goal, because I exclusively fished this line on windy western rivers where a delicate presentation is almost always necessary. This fly line loads a rod up very quickly and easily, and I was able to slice through the wind with ease even when I rushed my cast.
In comparison to the Rio Grand line, which we normally use, the WindCutter® II line cast more easily and accurately in windy conditions. However, the WindCutter® II line did not roll cast as well or mend as well as the Rio Grand. For this reason, I would still prefer the Rio Grand line in tight canyon fishing situations where long roll casts and tight technical drifts are necessary. However, in very windy situations where long roll casts are not necessary, this fly line casts like no other.
In my opinion, Rio makes the best fly lines, leaders, and tippet on the market. They make top quality products that out perform their competition in the toughest conditions. I am wholeheartedly a fan of Rio products and I am looking forward to trying the Trout LT, RIO’s newest freshwater line.~Katherine Browne
Katherine Grand pens "DamselFly Fisher" and works as Pro-Staff and Dealer Relations Coordinator at Prois Hunting and Field Apparel in Gunnison, Colo. She also guides in fly-fishing waters near Gunnison. View all posts by Katherine Grand
Very well done, Katherine! This is perhaps a product I will try someday when I learn to flyfish…hint hint.
Thanks Kirstie! If you’d quite working all the time I’d take you out. Luckily my boss doesn’t make me work too much so I get to go fishing all the time ;).