Leland on Rio Spey Versileaders

The RIO Spey VersiLeaders are the perfect addition to many spey lines and, particularly, the new RIO AFS Shooting Heads. The RIO Spey VersiLeader Kits, in 10' or 15' lengths, includes one of all six types for full coverage, from the surface down to the deep bottom. Use the 10 ft leaders with rods of 12’ 6” and less, and the 15 ft leaders with rods of 13 ft or more. The six leaders are; Floating, and sinking; 1.5 ips (3.7 cm/s), 2.6 ips (6.6cm/s), 3.9 ips (9.9cm/s), 5.6 ips (14.2cm/s), 7.0 ips (17.8cm/s). The floating leaders are preferred for Scandinavian-style Spey casting. All six densities are organized in individual zip-lock compartments in a compact, rugged Cordura pouch. With this leader kit and your AFS, you'll be ready to rock and roll on any steelhead or salmon river!

Leland on Specifications

10 ft (3 m) and 15 ft (4.5 m) leader kits featuring leaders with a high tenacity nylon core coated with a super low modulus polymer mixture. VersiLeaders feature an ultra smooth welded loop in the butt end making it easy to connect to the fly line. The floating Spey VersiLeader is perfect for forming the anchor when spey casting Scandinavian style. These leaders are ideal additons to all Spey lines and in particular RIO's new AFS heads and AFS OutBound lines.

Specifications:

• Type: Tapered floating and sinking versileaders
• Length: 10' or 15'
• (6) leaders included; Floating, and sinking; 1.5 ips (3.7 cm/s), 2.6 ips (6.6cm/s), 3.9 ips (9.9cm/s), 5.6 ips (14.2cm/s), 7.0 ips (17.8cm/s).
• Colors: Varies with type
• Fits RIO AFS Shooting Heads and other spey lines

10 foot Spey VersilLeader Kit includes (6) leaders. (1) of each below

Length	Sink Rate	Weight	Strength
10'	Floating	35 grains	24 lbs
10'	1.5 ips (3.7 cm/s)	51 grains	24 lbs
10'	2.6 ips (6.6 cm/s)	64 grains	24 lbs
10'	3.9 ips (9.9 cm/s)	67 grains	24 lbs
10'	5.6 ips (14.2 cm/s)	78 grains	24 lbs
10'	7.0 ips (17.8 cm/s)	117 grains	24 lbs

15 foot Spey VersilLeader Kit includes (6) leaders. (1) of each below

Length	Sink Rate	Weight	Strength
15'	Floating	55 grains	24 lbs
15'	1.5 ips (3.7 cm/s)	79 grains	24 lbs
15'	2.6 ips (6.6 cm/s)	95 grains	24 lbs
15'	3.9 ips (9.9 cm/s)	102 grains	24 lbs
15'	5.6 ips (14.2 cm/s)	138 grains	24 lbs
15'	7.0 ips (17.8 cm/s)	180 grains	24 lbs

Now you'll be ready for when those ocean fish start upriver!

Leland on Rio Spey Lines

Because anglers are doing a lot more with Spey techniques these days, Spey fly line designs are evolving so rapidly, even experienced spey folks have trouble keeping up, let alone beginners! We at Leland have chosen RIO Products as our primary source of spey fly fishing lines. RIO has virtually led the way in revolutionizing fly line designs for Spey anglers in North America and across the world.

Leland on RIO Fly Lines

Jim Vincent and his team of fly fishing experts have been manufacturing the most functionally creative fly lines at RIO for the past 20 years.  From depth, distance, wind, visibility, extreme heat, or extreme cold, the RIO team has considered every factor that presents itself to the fly fishing experience and come up with innovative fly line solutions to overcome the trials of any environment.  In terms of the unique challenges presented by every fish, RIO has specifically developed fly lines to optimize presentation, whether it's delicate precision or powerhouse delivery you're seeking.  Experience drives innovation at RIO—the fly line design team at RIO has spent countless hours on the water, testing and perfecting their fly fishing products to provide you with the most sophisticated fly lines on the market.

RIO's SIMON GAWESWORTH on AFS Shooting Heads and Spey Versileaders

AFS Shooting Head  An excellent presentation line that is very easy to cast. There are four different densities available:

1. F. A full floating line between a 4/5 weight (300 grains, 19 grams - 31 ft, 9.5 m in length) and a 10/11 weight (640 grains, 42 grams – 40 ft, 12.2 m in length). The head is a subtle olive color that will not spook fish in clear water, but the rear 15 ft is yellow so the angler can gauge the line’s swing. For anglers needing an easier color line to see there is also a Steelhead Orange floating AFS head.

2. F/I. A floating line with a 15 ft intermediate sinking tip. This line starts at a 7/8 (460 grains, 30 grams – 37 ft, 11.2 m in length) and goes to 10/11.

3. S1. A slow sinking head. The same weight range as the F/I but the whole head has a very slow sink rate of 1” per second. This is an excellent choice for cooler water conditions when fishing for Atlantic salmon. It is also a very good fish catching line for summer run steelhead, particularly on the Deschutes. Sizes 7/8 to 10/11.

4. S4. A full sinking head with a sink rate of 4” per second. This fast sinking head is a great line for early season and back-end Atlantic salmon and particularly good for winter steelhead. It is one of the easiest casting and fishiest sinking lines ever made. It comes in the same sizes as the “F/I” and the “I” heads. Sizes 7/8 to 10/11.

While these lines are exceptionally easy to cast and give incredible presentation, the very best results will be achieved if a Spey VersiLeader is attached to the front end. RIO has 6 different densities of these leaders in two lengths – 10 ft and 15 ft. The leader densities are:

1. Floating (olive)
2. Intermediate (1.5 inches per second)
3. Slow sink (2.4 inches per second)
4. Medium sink (3.9 inches per second)
5. Fast sink (5.6 inches per second)
6. Super fast sink (7.0 inches per second)

Use the 10 ft leaders with rods of 12’ 6” and less, and the 15 ft leaders with rods of 13 ft or more.

Attach the back of the shooting head to a hard nylon like RIO’s SlickShooter (35 lb or 50 lb) for the ultimate in distance, or to a floating Powerflex Core Shooting Line (0.030” or 0.035”) for something a little more manageable.


AFS OutBound® Integrated Shooting Head – NEW for 2008
Built with a thin, hard running line this line is the integrated version of the AFS head. It is an excellent choice of line for casters that do not want a loop to loop connection running through their guides. The short head is very easy to cast and particularly useful in tight situations and the long front taper gives a beautiful presentation. These lines are only available with a floating head and in sizes 4/5 to 10/11.

Like the AFS head, these lines will cast even better with one of RIO’s Spey VersiLeader .

Rio on Rio Spey Lines

"Modern Spey fly lines were pioneered and developed by Jim Vincent, with the help of other proficient spey casters. RIO Products, the Spey Line Specialist, is the only company with five different spey taper designs so casters can choose the right line for their individual preferences. RIO has done it again by introducing the revolutionary Skagit Spey for 2006. RIO has the most comprehensive array of floating and interchangeable tip spey lines to fulfill the needs of every situation, every spey rod design and every casting ability.

RIO on RIO Fly Lines

For more than 20 years, RIO has demonstrated passion, innovation and a pure love for the fly fishing sport through its development of the industry's highest performance fly lines. And the great news is, we at RIO will continue to research, design and refine our fly fishing products to ensure RIO fly lines are your preferred choice for years to come.

In 1990, Jim and Kitty Vincent founded RIO in the mountains of Idaho on the idea that exceptional fly fishing products should be built by anglers for anglers. More than twenty years later, we're still fly fishing in Idaho and driven by that same ethos.  At RIO, we take great pride in the promise to give you the absolute best of fly fishing on your rod.

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