North Edge Standard - Flat Magic Shooting Line Review
FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, we’ve been testing a newcomer on the global fly tackle market: the NES Flat Magic Shooting Line. Available in both 35lb and 50lb versions, this line is produced by the emerging Japanese brand North Edge Standard. Developed in Hokkaido—a region renowned for its fly fishing heritage—the Flat Magic Shooting Line reflects the precision and reliability that anglers have come to expect from Japanese tackle manufacturers.
The 35lb Flat Magic Shooting Line
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Visibility & Handling: The line comes in bright red, making it highly visible in all weather conditions. It’s supplied on a 100m spool with a 50m marker in the middle, so you can easily split it into two lines.
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Feel & Grip: Being an oval line the diameter is ranging from 0.37mm (flat side) to 0.63mm (broad side). Not only does this make the line feel slightly thicker in hand, this extra thickness is also an advantage in cold winter or early spring months, preventing slips and improving control.
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Performance: Thanks to its silicone coating, the line runs ultra-smoothly through the guides. Especially when flyfishing for seatrout at the coast the silicon coating enables long casts while still offering excellent grip. Knot strength is superior, and unlike many monofilament lines, it resists kinking.
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Memory-Free Design: One of its standout features is the near absence of memory. Even in freezing conditions, there are no coils or tangles to fight against. Finally a line which doesn´t mess up your fishing zen.
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Verdict: For coastal fly fishing around Denmark and the Baltic Sea, flyfishing for trout or grilse in freshwater, this line has quickly become our favourite magic tool when fishing with a shooting head set-up.
The 50lb Flat Magic Shooting Line
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Smooth Casting: Like its lighter sibling, the 50lb version benefits from silicone coating, gliding effortlessly through the guides and producing long, controlled casts. It just makes your day at the river complete and you feel like a casting star.
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Durability: It’s highly resistant to kinks and cracks, even after extended use. The memory-free design minimizes tangles, which is especially valuable in Scandinavian-style shooting head setups.
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Versatility: We tested it on the River Skjern for atlantic salmon and later in the Baltic Sea for pike fishing. Wether you pair it with your favourite double handed flyrod or like we did with a #8 single handed flyrod, the line performed flawlessly in both freshwater and saltwater conditions.
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Grip & Handling: The slightly larger diameter of this oval line from 0.45mm (flat side) to 0.78mm ( broad side) makes it easier to handle, particularly in cold water.
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Verdict: For salmon anglers and saltwater nerds, this line is a reliable partner. Its durability and performance make it a prime choice for the coming season.
Final Thoughts
Both the 35lb and 50lb North Edge Standard Flat Magic Shooting Line embody the precision and reliability of Japanese craftsmanship. Whether you’re targeting trout, salmon, huchen or pike, these lines deliver smooth casting, strong knots, and minimal tangles. For anglers who value performance in tough conditions, they’re well worth the investment and at €46.90, you’re essentially getting two lines in one spool. We have nothing else to say than... it´s Magic.
Click here to buy your NES - Flat Magic Shooting Line! Only available here at Balticflyfisher.
