- Better fishing line through Science and Chemistry.
- The Gamma process of extruded monofilament and fluorocarbon lines is “Molecularly Altered.”
- The Gamma fishing line process provides Unprecedented Flexibility, Shock Resistance, Strength, Abrasion Resistance, and Low Memory. It’s all about Science.
By Darl Black
Besides the essential hook, what is the most important tool for fishing? Take a moment to consider the top possibilities: a super-amazing lure, one of the many outstanding rod and reel combos, or is it the vital connection between the lure and the rod tip? The fishing line.
“Without the fishing line, we simply would not enjoy the sport of fishing,” muses Dale Black, President of Black Knight Industries, home to Gamma Line. “In the extruded line category, which includes nylon monofilament and polyvinylidene fluoride fluorocarbon (PVDF). Anglers desire a line that receives high-performance marks for the best combination of break strength, abrasion resistance, and suppleness. We offer unique products that meet those parameters.”
It all started 20 years ago when Dale, an expert river angler, was assisting a small group of outdoor writers on a story-generating tour to the middle section of the Allegheny River at the invitation of the local tourist promotion agency.
“Tom Ferrence, one of the attendees, was talking about a relatively new fishing line on the market coming out of Pittsburgh, PA – Gamma was its name. I had never heard of it before,” Dale explains. “The company had a special process used on extruded nylon for tennis racquet strings, then expanded into the fishing line and leader business. Using a pull-test apparatus, Tom demonstrated that Gamma outperformed all competitors’ monofilament and fluorocarbon line products of the same diameter in the break-strength test. I had to try a spool! I was so impressed that I bought the fishing line division of the company when it came up for sale four years later.”
That was the “Cliff Notes” version, but between point A and point B, Dale had much to investigate—testing Gamma line under different fishing circumstances, talking to guides and professional anglers who had been using it, acquiring an education for fishing line production and spooling, and specifically learning how Nanotechnology used by Gamma Technologies yields an incredible finished product.
Dale explains, “Gamma’s extruded monofilament and fluorocarbon lines are molecularly altered, creating filaments with an unprecedented combination of flexibility, shock resistance, strength, abrasion resistance, and low memory when compared to filaments of the same or similar material composition. The patented Gamma processing breaks down the stiff, long-chain molecules created during extrusion and drawing while creating millions of intermolecular bonds to cross-link the structure, resulting in a stronger, more flexible line.”
At the time, Dale was the franchise owner of a local business with a reliable income, but his sight was set on something much bigger. Being part of the fishing industry was in his blood. Therefore, he convinced his wife, Heidi, that the opportunity to acquire the rights to a product requires considerably more investment in time, travel, and money than his present occupation would be worth it in the long run. This effort would create a family-owned business without the backing or involvement of a large corporate structure; instead, family members and a limited number of employees would need to spool, package, distribute, and promote Gamma Line.
Once the deal was inked in late 2010, the specially-built spooling machinery, computers, and already-packaged stock were moved from Pittsburgh to a rented space in Rouseville, Pa., near his home. But Gamma Line outgrew that site rather quickly. In 2020, Dale acquired a larger building and moved the shop to nearby Franklin, Pa.
Here is how ordinary nylon monofilament and fluorocarbon end up on the tackle shop shelves at Gamma Fishing Line. The line is extruded in Japan, and a specific supplier has been working with Gamma for years.
The line is shipped to Gamma Technologies in Pittsburgh, where it receives the Gamma Processing. The line skeins (large bundles of the same pound test) are then delivered to Gamma Fishing Headquarters in Franklin. The ties are cut, and the line is loaded on simple payoff machines. The line is then wound onto large “payoff spools” to feed “multi-spoolers” that wind the line onto smaller commercial spools for retail sales.
“I supervise the back of the shop – production, ordering, spooling of line, labeling, and machine maintenance,” acknowledges Dale. “My niece, Shelby, manages the office and shipping. Heidi is the Chief Financial Officer, and we both do promotions at sports shows, tournament showcases and outdoor writer events.”
Gamma Line is one of those products that anglers may be skeptical about until they actually fish with it for a period of time. Dale says, “I know because I was one of those skeptics. It took an entire season of using 6-pound Gamma Edge on a favorite smallmouth/walleye spinning outfit to sway me. It performed much better than expected. For example, during fall trips for river smallmouth in deep current pools where snagging debris piles frequently occurred, I would accidentally snag debris and hold the boat in the strong current with my 6-pound Gamma. In contrast, others on board caught bass from all around the sunken cover. From then on, all my rods were spooled with Gamma, including daily use of 4-pound test Gamma Panfish Copolymer on a half-dozen customer rods during my stint as a crappie guide.”
The folks at Black Knight Industries are always excited to hear from anglers who are enjoying higher catch rates when they switch to one of the Gamma Line products. “Our customers tell us they are most impressed with the strength, suppleness, and low memory of our lines,” adds Dale. “Furthermore, they aren’t losing fish due to line breakage, and they find the manageability of Gamma’s Edge and Touch fluorocarbon to their liking compared to other fluorocarbons.”
Pete Cartwright of SmalliesOnTheYough guide service says, “Gamma Edge is the only line I will use. Its abrasion resistance and strength are up to any challenge faced on the river. The invisibility of fluorocarbon is a must during low, clear summer water. I have trusted Gamma Line with my guide clients for years – there is no other choice.”
Keystone Connection Guide Service owner Jeff Knapp spools various Gamma Lines on his wide selection of rods. One particular use is Edge as leader material with braided lines to fish glide jigs (Rapala Jigging Raps and Acme Hyper Rattlers) and the classic blade baits (Silver Lucky) for walleyes. “These lures are worked in an aggressive jigging motion that has the potential to foul a hook on the leader. To counteract this, I fish a 16-pound Edge leader between 12 and 24 inches long. This thicker/stiffer line dramatically reduces fouled baits and wasted casts.”
Multispecies angler Denny Beggs employs a 6-pound fluorocarbon Gamma Edge leader on his steelhead outfit, as well as his stream trout and panfish rods. “I use a 4-foot leader tied to my main line, which may be Torque braid or, in some instances, Polyflex monofilament. I rarely have a break-off when I hook an acrobatic, hard-fighting steelhead in the Lake Erie surf.”
Light tackle guru Brad Buchheit spools only 5-pound Gamma Touch on his ultralight baitcasting outfit, successfully landing everything from huge crappies to muskellunge and carp.
For more information on Gamma, visit the Gamma Lines website, email sales@GammaFishing.com or call 814-676-3474.