Hi Mark,
 
I have the 490-4 ZXL, a very good rod.  I fish dries with it because of its action.  I throw Rio Gold 4wt.  This rod - line combination gives me what I need from the rod, both short and long distances.  It works with my stroke.  Fished Hot Creek Ranch (dry fly only) with it and had a blast.
 
Thanks,
Chiaki

Hi Mark,
 
I also have a 9' 4wt ZXL and use Rio Gold WF4F line on it. I've used it on the Kern, as well as some of the Rivers in Yellowstone. I haven't caught any large Trout with it, but it has worked fine for me on fish up to 15".  Someday I hope to catch a larger one on it.
 
Ron

I got to fish a 490-4 for a couple of days alongside my old four piece 490-4 RPL, moving lines back and forth between them and fighting a whole passel of both pink salmon (3-4# avearge) and searun Dolly Varden in saltwater (#4 and #6 Claussers mostly), then moved up river to wake EHC for Dollies.
 
First thing I noticed, the ZXL weighs about half as much!  And it's a whole lot smoother with less rebound.  The tip on the ZXL is a little softer, though, so it tends to collapse a little when you're adding beef for a longer cast or using the heavier flies.  I'd have to rate the old RPL better for heavier flies and longer casts, but that may be a reflection of my very short, aggressive casting strokes when distance is involved.
 
I have to say on both rods I prefer the Wulff Triangle Taper line, both distance casting and for closer precise work with some delicacy.  If you can hold the head in the air it makes an incredible distance line reminiscent of the Rio Distance Cast or Steelhead lines on bigger rods, yet it is better than most double tapers for shorter delicate work.  To cast with the head out of the guides, it's a fair bit of "overload" compared to the usual weight of a 4-weight, so that may be why the tip collapse was noticeable with the ZXL.  It's not a factor with the old RPL, but that's not nearly such a nice rod either.

Quote from tigermidge on Feb 19^th, 2012, 10:18pm:

 
That's the best possible approach! Everyone casts a little differently, so the "right" answer is going to differ.  My wife and I use different lines for the same rods, which can cause no end of confusion in the same household!  

Quote from tigermidge on Feb 20^th, 2012, 1:51pm:

 
The original shark skin was noisy as ice skates on rough ice, but my few casts with the latest version proves their claim that it's lots quieter.  It sure casts well, but the question is whether or not you'll ever be stripping streamers for hours with wet fingers.  It will really cut through flesh once your hands get soft unless you wear gloves or a stripping guard.
 
Rio Gold in my experiences (at least the WF) casts a little better, or at least seems lots smoother due to the details of their taper.

That person in the video can probably cast a wet noodle with his technique. A new line won't necessarily help me out.
 
Ron

OK I have a the RIO line ridged and ready for the BWO hatch Friday on the Owens.
 
Lets see how this goes.
 
 
Mark