Posted: Wed 01/20/10 4:54 pm Post subject: Fly Rods & Line: Matching Line Weight To Fly Rods?
(sorry if this has been covered here before)
I was thinking about how I use different lines with different rods and wondered what the collective thought about this...
What I do know (correct me if I am wrong):
Lines rated at a certain weight are pretty much constant, no matter what brand they are. In other words, a 6wt Orvis line should weigh the same as a 6wt Scientific Anglers line (right?)
When a rod is designed for a certain line weight, that means that line should properly flex and load the rod as intended by the designer/manufacturer.
(right???)
So, that being said - what are your thoughts on mis-matching line weights with rods. Obviously fishing a heavier line on a rod will make it load more, but what about fishing a lighter line on a rod? Does anyone ever do that for specific situations?
I often times fish my 8wt line on my 7wt rod, because I feel like I can get more muscle into it in windy conditions, but maybe I am doing this wrong?
Occasionally I use my 6wt sink tip line on my 7wt rod with a big streamer because in my mind, I have more backbone in the rod to throw the big fly. I don't notice too much of a difference in this situation, but that may be because of the casting distance and heavy fly?
Also, for a while I was fishing an 8wt line on a 9wt rod because I simply didn't have a 9wt line at the time, and I felt that the rod was not loading enough and longer casts were getting ugly.
I like this topic. I tend to be somewhat analytical so these types of things interest me. Plus I feel that if i can understand things like this I can use them to my advantage, not that i have it figured out but i like to try.
Quote:
Lines rated at a certain weight are pretty much constant, no matter what brand they are. In other words, a 6wt Orvis line should weigh the same as a 6wt Scientific Anglers line (right?)
Unfortunately no, because the way fly line weight is determined is by a set of standards developed originally by an organization called AFTMA (American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association) which no longer exists. It is now the American Sportfishing Association. Anyway the standards for fly lines are that each fly line is within a range of grain weights in the first 30 feet of the line. For example, a 5 weight fly line can weigh between 134-146 in the first 30 feet. That means a light 5 weight could be 134 and a heavy one 146 a difference of 12 grains. In heavier lines the difference is greater. Making it even more difficult to figure out, this only applies to the first 30 feet. So what happens when you use a very long taper line that has a taper well beyond 30 feet which would make for substantially heavier grain weight on a longer cast. Or how about very short tapers, the opposite would be true.
Quote:
When a rod is designed for a certain line weight, that means that line should properly flex and load the rod as intended by the designer/manufacturer.
Yes and no. This is largely based on the opinion of the designer and manufacturer and how they tested it. One manufacturer may see things very different from another and they definitely do. An 8 weight winston BIIX is a very different rod than an 8 weight Sage TCX. Some of that is action of the rod, but some of that is up for debate. I have casted 5 weights that in my opinion were more like 8 weights and have casted 8 weights that were more like 5 weights. That is why it is so important to cast a rod before buying it if at all possible.
As far as overlining or underlining rods, definitely has applications.
Quote:
I often times fish my 8wt line on my 7wt rod, because I feel like I can get more muscle into it in windy conditions, but maybe I am doing this wrong?
definitely a good call and i do the same thing especially when you are using bigger flies. The only drawback to this is that you lose some accuracy and delicacy of presentation so in situations where pinpoint accuracy is required like bonefishing this can have adverse effects. On the other hand if it is extremely windy like it so often is in the saltwater, then the benefits may outweigh the disadvantages. Another disadvantage to overloading is it can stress the graphite and ferrules and potentially break the rod, but who cares it is a fishing tool right?
Underlining on the other hand is something that I do not do. There are some situations where you could do it such as wanting a super delicate presentation, but I don't like the fact that you can't feel the rod load. I am sure with your heavy streamer example, the fly actually helped the rod load.
Truthfully the line weight is a poor measure unless you are familiar with the brand and model from past experience. What really matters is grain weight, but you can't easily find that out and it would take some trial and error to get it dialed in to each rod of your own. Funny that in spey rods, this is exactly what happens. Because spey rods and spey lines are so varied, grain weights is what is measured and you learn what grain weights work best with what rod. Same could be done for single hand rods and certain guys do go to the extreme figuring this out.
Interesting topic. Curious to see what anybody else thinks.
Although I am not as in touch with the differences between manufacturers, I thought that I would add a smidgeon to what Kory said. My understanding is that the weight of the first 30 feet is what was originally intended to be the discriminator for fly line weight. This length was chosen because this is the amount of line that the average caster can have beyond the tip of the rod and comfortably cast. This translates into the manufacturers of rods and lines believing (I think) that those 30 feet are the ideal amount of line to use in loading the rod optimally for a cast. I guess that this means optimal casting (for more distance) would involve backcasting with 30 feet and then shooting any further distance that is desired.
Thanks guys! This discussion is very helpful to me! I am actually looking to buy an 8wt rod right now, but my budget is very limited and I am not able to cast some of the models I am looking at (online shopping). I am trying to use my experience with the brands and models that I already have to base my purchase decision. This 8wt is not going to be my everyday rod; I just need it for certain situations (lakes, carp, and occasional trips where I might be able to cast int he salt or to LMB's).
I am looking into rods under $150. I know this will not get me a super high quality rod, but I have narrowed my pool down to a Cabela's LST (on sale right now within my budget) and some of the rods from Albright that are in their clearance sale right now.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Search
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
