Rio MainStream

Review Date
June 29, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Jay (Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year , from Spokane, WA. USA

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Whites

Body of Water:
Crab Creek

Favorite City:
Spokane

Favorite State:
Washington

Favorite Country:
USA

Summary:
Great line smooth casting Loop connector

Strengths:
great price wonderful line

Weaknesses:
none

Review Date
June 30, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Anonymous User(Unregistered User) ,  40 days a year , from Terrebonne

Price Paid:  $20.00 at worldwaters.com

Body of Water:
DEschutes

Summary:
Great line, i dont know how much it is normally but it is most likley a great deal also.

Strengths:
$$$$$ cheap got it on the close out at worldwaters.com for only $20. Works great, no memory, shoots well, coating is nice. Color is nice stands out good

Weaknesses:
none

Customer Service:
havnt used... doubt I'll need to

Similar Products Used:
fenwick orvis SA

Review Date
May 23, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Mark Hume(Unregistered User) ,  40 days a year , from Bellevue, Washington

Body of Water:
Upper and Lower Kings River

Favorite City:
Near Fresno

Favorite State:
California

Summary:
I originally bought this line as an inexpensive "beater" line that I could use for backpacking trips knowing that I really wouldn't be cleaning the line or taking very good care of it in general. What I've found is that I like the line very much for general purpose dry-fly fishing and delicate spring creek fishing in particular. I own a 4-weight which rides on my Scott 844/5 pack rod. Everyone who has cast this combination absolutely loves it and agrees that this line will straighten leaders about as well as any line made and is very accurate in the process. Everyone also comments that the color is the best ever. Since I fish dry flies exclusively, I will be buying more of these lines for my other rods (if I can still find the teal color). If you know someone just getting started in the sport or if you are looking for a good dry fly line, look no farther. This line competes very favorably with Cortland Peach and Orvis Hi-Flote Extra and costs a bit less. In a sport driven by technology and seemingly ever-higher prices, Rio Mainstream is a step in a different direction: A great quality product at a reasonable price. Don't get me wrong, I'm no bargain hunter. I buy all the latest and greatest gear and will spend a small fortune doing so. But those expensive rods will be wearing not-so-expensive Rio Mainstream on the river.

Strengths:
Price, price, price. This is a great line and I only paid $28. It casts nice and easy and straightens long leaders as well as any line I've tried. It is very supple and is capable of making very delicate presentations. It also can reach out there when necessary, even in the wind, and has a nice, slick finish. One of the greatest things about this line is the '99 teal color: It is just bright enough to be highly visible but it is not garish in any way. In fact, all my fishing buddies have commented that the color is the best they've ever seen. It is also one of the easiest lines for a novice to cast (or an old veteran with a lousy stroke). the line appears to be very durable.

Weaknesses:
There is a bit of coiling when the line is new but it qucikly goes away when used a time or two. Also, why on Earth has Rio changed the color for 2000? You can't improve on perfection.

Customer Service:
I've never had to use Rio's customer service because of a defective product but I have called to ask their recommendations. They have been very helpful and will bend over backwards to make sure you are a satisfied customer.

Similar Products Used:
Cortland Lazerline, 444SL and Peach; Orvis Hi-Flote Extra and Wonderline; SA GPX.

Review Date
May 13, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: voodoo-1(Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year , from Jackson, WY, USA

Summary:
I got it on sale for $20, and I probably would have paid well over 2x's that for this line. It's very smooth, and compact at the same time. . . doesn't get caught up, and shoots out nicely. I haven't used in in windy conditions yet. . .so we'll see how that goes. It doesn't help me catch any more fish. . .but even if somebody was standing on the end of the line and placing the fish right on the hook I'd probably lose it. Great line, great price (even not on sale).

Strengths:
Works great, inexpensive, and I like the color (99 Teal). It's a lot thinner than the Orvis line I was using. . .but throws a LOT better.

Weaknesses:
Not sure what the '00 color is. . .maybe it's a weakness (but I don't think anything is wrong with the Teal).

Customer Service:
As good as a line company can be. . .they're good about answering questions

Similar Products Used:
Orvis (a similar line was WAY fatter, and not smooth at all). SA, other RIO's