Has anyone ever tested fly rod lines vs guide type?
For example, Cortland vs scientific using ceramic guides.
Does one have an edge on distance?
My gut feeling with all the types of lines, the result would
be very minimal.

Mega thanks in advance, stan yerger

I think you're right. There is very, very little friction between lines and guides. Therefore it's unlikely to make any practical brand to brand difference.

The 3M Sharskin Lines (predated by the Fenwick World Class Lines which were formulated on the same basis) do reduce friction to some extent with their pebbled surface, but I'm still not that even they create any practical difference. Some feel they do, however. Either way, it's not a night and day difference.

............

One of the most important things in distance in fly casting is a clean line. More distance can be had by using a little armor all on a cloth and wiping the line down. Ralph O'Quinn used to make a product called Fast Cast. Basically a silicon similar to Armor All. I reduced the friction of the line running through the guides. I haven't seen too much benefit using SIC single foot guides as opposed to snake guides as long as the line was clean for both tests. Confidence in the line you are using is a factor also. If you don't like the line, you probably won't cast well with it.

Different fly lines have different coatings. I believe Cortland PE+ dressed with Formula 303 is as slippery as any fly line I have encountered. That said, it's technique and not equipment which makes for good fly casting.

You could spend a lot of time on this experiment with questionable results. There is so little contact between the line and the guides, would seem to make little difference. I used to build more fly rods with ceramic insert guides but could not find any noticeable difference in casting distance. I went back to snakes or SF wire guides depending on rod weight and am happy with those. Most customers don't like the ceramic insert guides so another reason to stay with snakes.

Terry

I have to say that I do like the ringed guides for fly rods. It may just be me, but I can feel the increased line speed. It's just a smoother, easier flow for me.

I have found for lighter rods the heavier guides dampen the action of the rod, regardless of casting distence gained this is not a byproduct I can live with.

Clean lines and snakes.

Just a word about Armoral.......If it is used to often, your line will begin to dry out and crack and eventually break. A perfect example is people who used to use Armoral on their car tires to shine them up, even the highest quality tires began cracking where it was applied. Just MHO.