I've recently had the chance to fish two lake lines - a slow intermediate and a Di7 from Arcay. 

I don't like to rush when evaluating something, and I also like to make sure I use the line when it's appropriate to do so (i.e. if I am going to test a Di7 line, I am going to do so in a situation that merits its use, and not just randomly use it because I feel a need to test it), so I spent a few months with these lines before finalizing my assessment on them. Last weekend I had the chance to fish both in our first regional Stillwater competition as well, which was crucial for me to do (that is, put the lines in a competition setting where I am more focused on the fishing as opposed to the evaluation process).  Prior to that I had been using the lines off and on with my regular lines as the condition required.

I can't say anything bad about either of these lines and see only positives.  In fact, seeing that I fished it in a comp means that my opinion of it prior to that point was very high and comfortable, for anyone that knows me knows that I do not like to use new products in a competition setting (that is NOT the time to test new items...).

They are low stretch, and I have found this good when catching big fish on soft takes, but vital when fishing for recently stocked fish in some of our 'urban' fisheries where the fish size isn't large, the hits are soft, and they have the tendency to hit far away from the boat - requiring a good hook set before they "fall off" which the low stretch line helps with.

Both lines cast very nice.  This is not a surprise though to me.  Unless you are fishing a very inexpensive line, I expect most new lines to cast very well when paired with a good rod and caster.  But the Arcay lines are ridged along their length which has been shown to help with better casting for distance, and they certainly worked well for me.

One thing I have been surprised about is the lack of tangles I get, especially with the Di7.  Di7 lines, often designed thinner in the running line portion, sometimes look like Angel Hair pasta and tangle the same way. But, fishing casually for a couple of months and then through two sessions of a competition in a boat, I look back at the time and realize that not once did I have a cast disrupted by a tangle racing up from my feet to slam into my stripping guide as I sent out a double haul cast. Something I sometimes run into sitting on a thwart board due to my preference not to fish with a basin of water at my feet in the boat (to normally keep the line wet).  Others who have tested the line have noted the same thing, which I think bodes well for the performance of the line.

All said, I can't put a knock against these lines. They cast well and are low stretch.  I haven't had the chance to work with the "middle of the pack lines" yet (fast intermediate to Di5), but both the lines I have used have been top notch and if you're looking for a new lake line, I wouldn't hesitate to give them a try. 

Chris Puchniak

Smart Angling Pro Staff and Competitive Angler

The Arcay Competition Lake Lines are available in Canada exclusively through Smart Angling.  

More about Chris:

Chris has been fly fishing for about 30 years, and his interests have sent him to many fishy locations between Canada and Tasmania. Since 2011 he has been active in the Competition scene, and  has been fortunate enough to fish on two consistently medal winning teams within Canada.  He has had the privilege to be selected to represent Canada for two International teams (in 2014 and 2017), and has competed in numerous events within Canada, where he has been fortunate enough to have won a number of individual and team medals. 

For the past couple of years Chris has also been involved in helping the Canadian National Youth Team as an Assistant coach, as well as being involved with Trout Unlimited.