Airflo Superflo Universal Taper Review

#Airflo
This is not so much a review as a short look at Airflo's new universal taper floating line. Fly lines and most things at the moment seem to be rocketing in price. Indeed I am concerned enough at the moment to be keeping my fishing trips local. The price of fuel and the rising costs of energy bills is certainly taking precedence over new fishing kit.
To that end I must say a huge thank you to Airflo who kindly sent me this line to try out. I have not been paid to give this review and the opinions expressed in the video are my own.

[@richardduvall6512]

Thanks for the review so many lines out there make claims about all kinds of things it's nice to have someone who is impartial giving them a look

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Richard 👍

[@michaelarundel8129]

Your a good man Lindsay ! Good honest review without any bias. Hope you enjoy your season.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Michael, very kind. Tight lines for the season.

[@michaelarundel8129]

@@lindsayiflyfish mine closes at end of May

[@simonpeters3499]

Great review Lindsay, I've just managed to win one of these lines in the Wild Trout Trust Auction for £60 - Chuffed with that, especially after my last Airlo Extreme got caught around a boat prop!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hope you enjoy it Simon 👍

[@jameswilson6717]

Rede river -25 quid outstanding and Iv just purchase the intermediate 17.50 also outstanding under half the price and twice the job.But good review all the same.All the very best 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@lindsayiflyfish]

A few boys have mentioned the Rede River lines. Will check them out👍

[@Followthepath89]

Think they have another company called bloke aswell I bought the rede river great line and even better service😎

[@johnwilson9328]

Good review and got to agree about the Meindls. I have a pair of Bhutans and they are comfy as hell

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Will never look back great boots!

[@Sunray-Scumbag]

Got this line. For any wanting another opinion I will say this. The line is a half size heavy. Casts like an absolute dream and the head lays straight as a ruler on the water. The red running line has a sort of stiff feel but I have not had issues with tangling eventhough it looks like it should tangle. It's a quiet line and the low stretch is brilliant. Really helps feeling those knocks and tugs. All in I rate it a 9/10 I prefer it to Rio gold and the SA mpx. If you want something a with a longer head I would recommend the SA infinity line. Great review for a great line.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Drew a second opinion is always appreciated.

[@Ayrshirechap]

I'd like to see the line lying straight in the water. Any airflo floater I've tried have had more memory than a mac book

[@lindsayiflyfish]

That's true of the old Airflo floaters the new ones that I have used in recent years have been good.

[@Ayrshirechap]

As I said lyndsay let's see it laying on the, water

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@Ayrshirechap Go to 1:12 in the review pal.

[@Mark-dn9xw]

Airflo will have a good job convincing anyone to pay £100 for a floating line 🤦🏻‍♂️😂 . . They have nailed sinking lines but floaters have a lot to answer for. Certainly doesn’t look as supple as others on the market especially on the shot of it landing at your feet after a figure of 8 retrieve!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Mark, not here to defend the line and certainly not the price tag but it is still cold and the line did feel good. I will let you know later in the year what it is like after prolonged use.

[@jkg900]

A very honest review Lindsay. I suspect the main reason that fly line prices have rocketed is that the main retail market is dominated by American companies, who charge higher prices in their home market. Great shame that Airflo was sold, their prices used to be competitive. Nice looking fishery, where is it?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

This is one of the Albury Estate lakes the one I visited was Weston. They have two others close by that are just as nice.

[@jamesalexander4203]

Great Video, the main issue is the breakdown products of the PVC - Vinyl Chloride being the main one - its carcinogenic and fat soluble. PFAS and PFOAS are historic synthetic chemicals of concern within the marine environment. The pricing element could be down to input chemical costs as well as financial provision requirements relating to residual products liability.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

A very technical and informative reply James thanks.👍

[@jamesalexander4203]

@@lindsayiflyfish no worries. I’m an environmental insurance broker and have had a career insuring companies, natural capital and dealing with legacy contamination of soil and ground water. I try and leave the day job at work but we are seeing product pricing nowadays that actually accounts the “whole life” costs of the item - before, during and after manufacture and usage. (have a look at TFND reporting protocols if you ever need some help sleeping)

[@flyasfukfishing8631]

great video lindsay its the old saying you get what you pay for in life !! its one of those things if you want it badly enough you will splash out the £100 tackle tarts will defo be all over these lines i have the older one that cost £70 and it does cast amazing but mine will NOT lie on the water straight even after stretching it before use so i wouldn't be keen to run out and buy this one if im honest !! but maybe they have fixed that memory issue on the new 2.0 line ! will love to hear what you think after a fue months of use as my one seems to be getting worse the more i use it ! only time will tell i guess

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I have nearly always been lucky with fly lines the odd one has been terrible but hey ho. You are spot on with what you said. If you remind me later in the year I will let you know how it’s going.

[@flyasfukfishing8631]

@@lindsayiflyfish il definitely ask you again in a fue months how its getting on and i really hope it holds up well for you take care and tight lines 🎣

[@flyasfukfishing8631]

@@lindsayiflyfish how are you getting on with the airflo universal 2.0 lindsay ? im in the market for a new one not sure if this migjt be the one to go for ? any issues with it ?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@flyasfukfishing8631 Still loving it, nop problems at all casts lovely and lies straight as any line I have used.

[@flyasfukfishing8631]

@@lindsayiflyfish thanks for the reply lindsay 👍🏻 i ordered one just now as i chopped my current superflo one in half lastnight was setting up and my car boot slammed down and that was all she wrote for that line 🙈

[@derekcunningham9993]

Good reveiw. Can you do another reveiw, of it at the end of the season. If its still performing as well, it may be worth it.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I will surely try.

[@neilandrew961]

Good video sir its a lot of money for a line I've been using a barrio line for last year and it's great was about 30 pounds still believe it's the angler who is using a line that makes the difference if you are decent caster you can put out just about any line cheap or expensive

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Neil, I think you have hit the nail on the head! Same with rods, there are very few bad rods made nowadays but we still find an excuse to buy high end ones.

[@michaelh3994]

Many years ago my airflo floater lasted 8 years before cracking badly

[@lindsayiflyfish]

8 years is a good innings for a floating line in my experience.

[@aaronwilliamwallace]

All Airflo's superflo lines are £70. The £100 lines are the ridge tech superflo lines. The line he is using is the ridge tech superflo but there is the cheaper £70 option which is just called the superflo

[@lindsayiflyfish]

That is correct, maybe it was not clear in the video.

[@aaronwilliamwallace]

@@lindsayiflyfish I swear by Airflo line. Never crack or wear. Always cast well. I've had Rio lines disintegrate on me over time. All my Airflo lines are still as good as new after years. Airflo are now making lines for Mackenzie and Guideline now as well so polyurethane is definitely the way to go

[@BC1878]

Never in a month of Sundays would I have considered paying £100 for a line but Looks a lovely line. I used Airflo’s budget lines and I wasn’t impressed at all but I suppose you get what you pay for…. I fish once a week, sometimes twice so if it lasted me 2 years I would more than have £100 pounds worth from it but Having said that, I told you about that Rede River line and it’s delivered for about £26 all in. I’d be confident In it performing every bit as good as that airflo line for a quarter of the price. I have no idea about it’s environmental footprint though. The guy who owns and manufactures Rede River is called Alan Tait and he said he actually knows you, Lindsay. He was telling me he has big plans that are coming soon regarding a new line so I’m looking forward to seeing what it is. I suspect it may be a sink tip. All in all, I’ll stick with the Rede River lines for now but I may stick the Airflo one on my Xmas list. I suppose if I considered what I have paid for my my 3 rods, 3 Reels and fly luggage, £100 doesn’t seem to bad 😂

[@lindsayiflyfish]

A £100 is a lot of money you won't get an argument from me on that. I did mention the price would be a showstopper for a lot of folks and I include myself in that bracket. That said it does not change the fact that I think Airflo has produced a great line.

[@jamiewilliams1287]

Ive streched this line and i still get kinks in it any ideas how i can get them out ? Its really bugging me and i feel its a waste of 100 pound

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Jamie, I am still using this line and never had an issue. Try letting it drag behind the boat next time you are out. Or after it’s rained drag through some long grass. You have to be careful when stretching lines as it can cause damage. Failing that I would contact Airflo.

[@Check-Your-Fly]

The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys Lindsey! Buy once, cry once! Just like your boots analogy, you get what you pay for and sometimes that is a hard lesson to learn. Airflow lines are about 100.00 us dollars the last time I looked but times are changing! Everything costs more! Rods, Reels, Fly lines an fly tying materials all cost more but you get what you pay for in my opinin. It's a question of quality verses quantity. This will be the next fly line I purchase. Maybe you could purchase it in Michigan for as a backup for less when you visit in 2022.;) Thanks for the review! Cheers!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Airflo are a US owned firm now I expect that has something to do with the rise in price. I would agree on the "you get what you pay for" statement on most things, there are always the exceptions though. I am really looking forward to my trip across the pond. I think there is an Orvis shop right by where we are staying.

[@barrygarner9428]

Hi lindsay I tend to cut my welded loops off any lines put on roman moser braid loop there easy to put on line &last along time I'm still using my Rio gold floating line from 2 year will not be paying £110 to £120 as long you look after your lines cleaning re lubricate should last barry

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Can't afford not to look after them nowadays Barry!

[@barrygarner9428]

You being a scotchman

[@badcompany3303]

£100 Just had to check it's not April 1st 🤣🤣🤣

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Save your money pal and buy fly tying gear.....lol.

[@rangerwhite5165]

A pvc fly lines impact on a water system will be insignificant, compared to other issues. I've never cast an Airflo floater i've liked. Too much memory and never lay straight on the water. Super sinkers and intermediates though. No way I would pay £100 for one of these floating lines. Cortland, SA, Rio and If you're stretched, the cheap chinese ones I have tried, have given a good performance.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

The price of fly lines is becoming ridiculous but the same could be said of everything else. I have had a few Airflo floaters over the years and they have been a mixed bag. The one reviewed here was excellent but the price 🤦‍♂️

[@ClimateRealism]

Come a long way since I invented these lines.

[@michaelh3994]

What about head length/grain weight etc

[@lindsayiflyfish]

I am sure you can look it up online Michael. 👍

[@davidwillacy4796]

Nice one Lindsay, but I refuse to pay £100 for a line when I can get a pretty damn good one for £15 from John Norris! Ever tried one? You might get a pleasant surprise. Cheers

[@lindsayiflyfish]

A John Norris line was the first line I ever owned! Long time and many lines since though.

[@andrevanaardt4846]

Hi Lindsay, what weight line did you fish and on what rod please

[@lindsayiflyfish]

The line was a weight forward #8 I fished it on an Orvis Helios for a #7 wgt.

[@andrevanaardt4846]

@@lindsayiflyfish you mentioned it was windy, the 8 wt would have helped. How do you feel a 7wt line would have performed?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@andrevanaardt4846 Just as well, I was using the #8 as that is what was sent to me.

[@brianr9529]

I've used an airflo ridge line and it was an absolute nightmare to clean the dirt out the sort of star shape that the line is. I've got a snowbee xs midge tip 75 pounds and it's immense. I also have a rede river floating line costing under 30 pounds and it too is fantastic. My sinking line is a wychwood hoverer not expensive either and great to cast. I've used about 18 different lines and these are the ones I buy again.

[@BC1878]

The Rede River floater is by far and away the best line I’ve used. It’s amazing for the money. I use a wychwood ghost tip as well and that was £40 and it’s perfect for the job.

[@brianr9529]

@@BC1878 they are both good makes, the wychwood floater I feel is useless.

[@BC1878]

@@brianr9529 I’ve only used a wychwood clear intermediate and a ghost tip and they have both performed well and gave me no issues at all.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

That sounds like the first version of the ridge line I had one of those and you are right it was a nightmare. This line is nothing like that. I am surprised you did not get on with the Wychwood Rocket Taper Floater I think it's one of my favourite floaters. The price is certainly good.

[@brianr9529]

@@lindsayiflyfish it casts well but I think it snakes all over the place. The hoverer is a tremendous line.

[@michaelshaw8370]

Yes the price is painful. Quality is never cheap. However when you consider that the main top tier Airflo range is now actually seventy pounds. It brings it into perspective that the choice of that extra thirty pounds is reasonable if you personally think that it is worth adding to your range of lines. It is not too long ago that Airflo had a higher quality floating line with a longer lasting coating. So when you also factor that probable double useful working lifetime. That extra cost for the angler who uses that line frequently is more than justified.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Mick, the thing about any non essential purchases is that you have to justify it to yourself. Some folks find that easy enough, I do not. I want a more powerful Macbook for editing videos, New better spec drone and a new high end camera. This is just a hobby to me and I can't justify all those things. A man can dream though........lol.

[@michaelshaw8370]

Yes both your and Keith Elliot’s points are valid. It all comes down to a balance. What makes any purchase a justified choice? A newbie or handful of session per season angler. They need kit that will do the job well enough to enjoy their day. Even top tier competition anglers who receive a proportion of their costs via sponsorship. It all comes down to. Disposable income. Percentage of that sum you can reasonably allocate to equipment. Is that piece of equipment practical and fit for purpose. Oh shiny I want one is never a good enough reason. The top of the range cutting edge gear is opening the doors with new ideas that will make changes in general equipment in a few years time. Look at how equipment on luxury cars has become standard on most vehicles. Electric windows gps airbags heated and or electrically adjustable seats ABS ect. Twenty plus years ago only on top of the range luxury cars. We all have to make hopefully informed choices. Honest informed reviews like yours help us all. How you with your experience and skill levels give your, not a company influenced oh this is the best just b’cos my boss said so. Reviews like yours we know we can trust. When you say this this good. You also honestly say is this the rod/line/reel/tippet I would use for this purpose on this water in these conditions. Is this suited to dry fly or heavy fast sink lines in gusty strong winds. Will it punch out into a wind. Is it a average distance but accurate with good presentation. Or just an over-boiled noodle no use to anyone. There is a lot of good enough kit out there. When you started. Ronnie Christie helped you both with gaining the skills and knowledge needed for you to progress. Also more importantly to enjoy the process and the set the seeds of just how much pleasure you still get from fishing. You are passing that torch. With every new angler and every person returning to fly fishing after health age or changes in lifestyle. That watch and enjoy your content. Including myself my kit is like me older but still good enough to enjoy the sport.

[@michaelshaw8370]

@@keithelliot3772 yes this line is in no way cheap. I am not a tackle tart. Just an average guy returning to the sport after fifteen plus years break due to serious health issues and also being a full time cater to my severely disabled partner. Steady updating older kit. Getting out on the water and enjoying the sport has to be the priority. Adding a few extra lines during the season as they become a justifiable expense for me is ok. Unless I can get back up to the standards to realistically and regularly be involved in competition rather than just enjoying the love of the sport. Then yes one hundred quid for a line or WTF prices for a top of the line rod is not in anyway reasonable. A F1 driver would not drive in the Monaco GP on a tractor as much as a farmer would not use a F1 car to tow a muck spreader. I make my own flies to a high standard. And hope that I will continue to love the sport. As for at whatever frequency and or level that reaches. The future is unwritten. If we only learned one thing from the past couple of years. We have to embrace whatever time we have to enjoy what gives us joy. While we still have that capacity to do so.

[@keithelliot3772]

@@michaelshaw8370 Fair enough if someone is prepared to pay the price then that is their choice. I have just come back to fishing but am no longer prepared to pay thro the nose for gear when there is good gear to be had for less. I once paid two weeks wages on a Hardy and it broke, what does that tell you. I am now fishing with a £45 Shakespeare and it is a beautiful rod, £10 for a Talon line, £35 Sigma Supra reel, made in North America, all for less than £100 and it does the same job as the Hardy did. Tight lines

[@Graham-1888]

Everything that's better for the environment seems to be bad for our bank balance. Personally I think as soon as they mention something is greener they add a huge chunk on because they know people will pay it so they are doing their bit, it's one big con imo. I would love to see the difference in manufacturing costs between this and their evil earth destroying equivalent.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Graham, Sorry I couldn't say what the odds is between the two. You are right though. Green energy, solar panels it all sounds great but costs a fortune. Electric cars, eating healthy I could go on and on. As with any of the reviews I do it's certainly not for me to tell people what to spend their hard earned cash on. I only offer my opinion.

[@ibelieve1468]

Looks like it still has the airflow memory, looks stiff and has kinks in it when you stripped onto grass. No £100 from me lol

[@lindsayiflyfish]

It has little memory and feels quite supple but as you say buddy £100, Oooooft!

[@ibelieve1468]

@@lindsayiflyfish yip Oooooft, just over 55 is the most I've paid and it wasn't as good as I was told I fact it was off the spool after less than a season and still in atic its a snowbee extra distance too the green and orange one which are supposed to be great? Not true! Casts well but like a snake laying on the water.

[@paulwatkins2333]

Not impartial if airflo have sent you a line for free lol.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Paul, I am not a rich man I wish I could afford to just buy tackle to review. What I am though is honest and if it’s poor I would say it was poor.

[@keithelliot3772]

Another case of,Look at the king's new clothes!Someone is having a laugh,and some brands are north of a ton.I pay less than £20 for my lines or at a push I use the Cortland 444 Classic at £55.It's true what they say.A fool and his money......

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Fair play.....lol.

[@jamesalexander4203]

A fair comment Keith but the US EPA are already looking at PFAS in waters at 6 parts per trillion as a trigger level for Harm and Damage. Its a real possibility that Environmental Protection could mean that products with certain chemicals within them will be restricted. Down the line it could also mean controlled/restricted taking of fish for eating. I hope my prediction doesn’t come to pass in the UK but it is happening in certain catchments in the USA.

[@keithelliot3772]

That was interesting to read James and we have to start somewhere, but there are bigger problems, such as the amount of fossil fuel we are burning, the amount of plastic, glass, paper etc we throw away. People rock up to a fishery in a Chelsea Tractor, if they have a line with less Dioxons is it going to make much of a difference?