Monic Precision Dry Stealth Fly Line
Kirk Deeter
June 10, 2024
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Understanding that fly lines made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coatings are tough on the environment, I’m always game for trying out lines made with PVC-free materials and processes. Colorado-based Monic has been a leader in this regard for many years. Their clear fly lines are basically akin to monofilament (which floats) on steroids, and they’re designed with various tapers that suit specific fishing situations.
I have fished the “Precision Dry Stealth” weight-forward 3-weight floating line extensively, most often on smallish rivers in Michigan, and more recently on a weeklong sojourn to the chalk streams of England–the Rivers Test, Itchen, Nadder and Frome. These are quintessential dry-fly waters where precise casts, often improvised around brush and high banks, are the price of admission. And since you usually get only one or two legitimate shots at any fish you spot, accuracy and soft landings of the line, leader, tippet and fly are paramount.
Generally speaking, the Precision Dry Stealth delivers as advertised. I do think this line affords a less “splashy” presentation, and I’m able to direct casts intuitively with reliable accuracy, particularly in situations where 90 percent of casts range inside of 30 feet.
That said, the one concern I have with this Monic line is that it’s prone to memory (coiling after leaving the reel) issues. If you don’t stretch the line before fishing, and I mean diligently pull on it, that first cast is going to feel like you’re trying to push a corkscrew through a straw. If you stretch it out, no problem. However, I’ve also found that if you crank the line back onto the reel, the memory issue resurfaces and is more pronounced than other fly lines (including PVC lines) I fish.
So, if you’re going pull out the line, stretch it and then fish your way upstream with the line out, or with large coils in your hand, fine–but if you’re going to hop from spot-to-spot, cranking in and restarting over and over, you need to expect to stretch the line repeatedly. And when you walk up on a rising fish, and you’re all fired up to make the cast, that’s easy to forget, and you might frustrate yourself with a cockeyed presentation. This is naturally more of an issue on narrow arbor reels. I like to fish a narrow Hardy Ultralite Disc #2/3/4 on my 3-weight, but for using this line, which I really like, it makes sense to use a large arbor reel.
Lastly, this line is stealthy, but that means it doesn’t ride super high on the water surface like some other lines do, so it really demonstrates its value on flatter, spring creek-like waters (including ponds). For lumpy, wavy rivers, you might opt for something that’s going to ride higher and be easier to see (for you, not the fish). Think feeding precise drifts to picky sippers, not stonefly eaters crashing the freestone drop-shelf…
Pros
Easy to cast, forms tight loops and shoots, but is best at short range.
Light landings help fly presentation and avoid spooking trout.
Clear fly line tip is less visible to fish.
Decidedly more environmentally friendly.
Low-stretch core helps sensitivity and hook sets.
Cons
Prone to memory issues, particularly on narrow arbor reels.
Repeated stretching a must.
Doesn’t ride super high in the current (by design).
The clear tip section is harder to see, obviously, for mending and line control.
Pricing
At $105, this line costs less to start than other premium lines. So, the value is all there, provided you understand this is a pretty niche product with good performance benefits in some pretty specific scenarios. If you perceive value in a more all-around, universal fly line, there are other options.
Durability
From the manufacturer: “The coatings on Monic Fly Lines do not contain the volatile chemicals that must be added to PVC in order to create a typical fly line. This shift in technology is important to maintain the durability of the line. Previously, these added chemicals would constantly leach out into the environment. For the same reason we stay away from PVC water bottles, food containers or baby toys, PVC emits poison. As those chemicals migrate out of the plastic, a void is created in the compound. Not only does this alter the compound from its initial, intended characteristics, but that void forces the compound to crack over time. This is where the circumferential cracks on a PVC fly line are born. Add dirt, oil, and other foreign debris to the cracks and performance degrades.”
- Price: $104.99
- Sink rate: Floater
- Size/type: Weight-forward floating line, 3-weight - 6-weight
- Taper design: Dry fly presentations
- Running line: 54 feet
- Head: 38 feet
- Tip: 12 foot clear stealth tip
- Line coating: Non-PVC construction, high abrasion resistance
- Weight standards: Constructed at, or just above, AFFTA line weight standards
- Warranty information: Monic warranty
The Monic Precision Dry Stealth fly line at work:
“Products may be returned within 90 days of original purchase date for replacement or exchange. To be issued a refund we require this product to be unused and returned in the original packaging. Shipping and handling will not be refunded.”
Conclusion
It’s a great dry-fly line that doesn’t require a lot of treatment, other than you want to keep it stretched out to avoid memory issues. The weighting is true, and it works well on all sorts of rod actions, from fast graphite to slower fiberglass. The taper definitely lends itself to making accurate casts and precise, delicate presentations at short range. Monic lines also have a reputation for strong durability and less cracking.
It’s definitely a line for specialty (dry fly, flatter water) situations, and in those situations it performs well. At $105, it costs a little less than other “premium” lines on the market, and there’s no denying that non-PVC lines are better for the environment than those of the PVC variety.
Find the Monic Precision Dry Stealth Fly Line direct:
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