A Review of Hanak Flurocarbon by Ian Troup, Fly Fishing Guide and Competitive Angler
I was first introduced to Hanak Fluorocarbon at the 2016 Commonwealth Championships, where an angler from the England team gave me a spool citing 'this is the best fluorocarbon I've ever used, you gotta try it!'. It really takes a lot for me to switch any of my tackle once I find something I like, and I had been using another top brand for the past 7 years. I decided to give the line a try as the recommendation came from a top rod on the England squad, and since trying it I've been fishing it exclusively for the past 2 years.
- It's a very low stretch line, with exceptional strength for diameter. This line just doesn't break, and it's thinner than other top brands I've used
- Knots don't slip and abrasion resistance is best I've seen on the market
- The right balance between being stiff and supple to allow for long leaders to turnover, yet supple enough for natural presentation. Key in stillwater fishing and for natural drifts in the river.
- I also like the sink rate, it's listed as a medium sink – you don't usually (or ever) see that on a box of fluoro.
- Hanak understands the sink rate of your leader is critical. On stillwaters I find this sinks at just the right speed when using the 11lb and 9lb, and when lighter line for dry flies it doesn't sink too fast.
- Spool size – 150M is on a thin spool that's much easier to store in your boat bag
While there are many good lines on the market, I've tried most of them, I haven't had a single issue or found one better than Hanak Fluorocarbon and find the price reasonable compared to other high end brands – I've now become a promoter like my friend on the England team….. this is the best fluorocarbon line I've ever used...and you gotta try it!
Ian Troup, Smart Angling Pro Staff, Ontario
Hanak Flurocarbon is now available through the Smart Angling e-shop: www.smartangling.com
About Ian:
Ian has been fly fishing for over 30 years. A firm believer that you never stop learning, Ian spends all his free time improving his fly fishing skills and has had the benefit of learning from some of the best anglers across the globe, including World Champions and guiding mentorship from the late Ian Colin James.
Ian has a passion for competitive angling and coached the first all women team to compete in the Canadian National Championships. He is a captain of a fly fishing team and member of Team Canada, having the honour to represent Canada internationally in multiple events, most recently as part of Team Canada’s first ever Gold Medal performance, winning the 2016 Commonwealth championships. Ian earned the individual Silver Medal at the 2017 Canadian Fly Fishing Championships.
He has been guiding for the past 15 years, along with being pro-staff for the Franklin Club fishery. Ian is a certified FFF Fly Casting instructor.