RIO CLOUSER TAPERS
Cameron Jones tries out a new range of fly lines made for big nasties.

It seemed a strange coincidence that whilst sitting on the banks of the Jackson River in FNQ only a week prior to these lines arriving in the mail, ‘Fish’ Philliskirk and I were discussing the need for a specialty fly line for barra, jacks and other northern species when working in close to cover. Most lines will work when the boat is far enough out from the cover to allow the full body of the fly line to roll over and load the rod, but what we were after was a line that could do all that at a much shorter distance.

The ideal line would need to be configured around a short but powerful head that could deliver the goods on a short line, but also enable a smooth transition of energy when making the cast. For many of Fish’s regulars this would be an ideal line choice. For us southerners the same line would be most beneficial when targeting bream, flathead and bass. It would also need to be versatile enough to work on the flats or casting to pelagics. Sure we weren’t asking for much. The featured lines are everything we could have asked for, and some. Enter the Clouser Taper.

Rio’s new Clouser line is as the manufacturer rightly states one of the most versatile fly delivery tools ever made for both fresh and salt water. I had read with enthusiasm the US reviews on the line and was keen to find out for myself what the fuss was all about. Two solid weeks fishing for tidal bass in the Hawkesbury River, followed by several hard hitting sessions on popper-eating kingfish in Sydney Harbour was enough to leave me suitably impressed with the overall ability of the WF8F line I was using.

From small deer haired bass bugs and Woolly Buggers to larger 2/0 Dahlberg Divers, the line enabled greater control in tighter casting situations than previous lines I had been accustomed to using. This was even more evident when confronted with the frequent wind squalls that circulate the many sandstone cuttings of the Hawkesbury’s main river. In the harbour it more than handled the coastal conditions and the demands of casting 2/0 Mylar poppers to 4 kg mini hoodlums.

The concept for Rio’s new Clouser series of lines involved a collaboration with Bob Clouser, famed fly tier, and best known for inventing the Clouser Minnow. The Clouser line, with a unique reverse compound taper and a bullet front taper, smoothly transfers energy to prevent the characteristic ‘kick’ with heavily weighted flies. This taper effortlessly turns over heavy flies into the wind for both short and long casts.

For 2004 Rio is offering the 100 ft light chartreuse Clouser line in two configurations, Coldwater with a multifilament core and coldwater coating (WF4F-WF10F) and Tropical with a monofilament core and hard tropical coating (WF7F-WF12F). The welded loops on both ends of the Clouser fly line also facilitates the changing of leaders and attachment to backing.

Rio’s new Slick-Shooter process creates a super slick, incredibly smooth fly line. The result is a line that shoots further and performs better when fishing. The self-lubricating, dirt-resistant and durable coating translates to a longer lasting fly line that retains its slickness. 

The Clouser line is a definite must and will be greatly appreciated by newcomers to the sport. Arguably the finest all round floating line on the market today.

For more info: www.rioproducts.com
Trade enquiries Clarkson Imports & Dist 03 9755 5377.