10-10-2008, 02:06 PM
The standardized method of determining a lines "weight" is based on the first 30 feet of length. (At least the is what my old memory is telling me. If I am wrong on the length I will be corrected very shortly I am sure) Thus a rod that is say a 3 wt is suppose to cast a 3 weight line most efficiently when 30 feet of line is being cast. Remember that the weight of the line is what loads the fly rod to make a cast.
When you are fishing small streams many times you are casting way short of 30 feet so using a heavier weight line for shorter casting distances will tend to make the rod load better and be more efficient at those shorter casting distances.
I suspect that if you have a tip flex rod and you are casting short distances it will feel a whole lot better and cast easier with a line that is 2 weights higher. ( [#4040ff]remember that you have a leader and tippet being a much larger part of that casting distance at these short casts[/#4040ff]) Using a weight forward line should also aid in getting the rod to load better a short distances.
My $500 tip flex 5 weight rod, with 5 wt forward weighted, is not as much fun to cast on small streams as a $50 mid flex 4 wt rod with forward weighted 5 Wt line. One of these days maybe I will be fishing with some one who can lend me a reel with 7 wt line that I can try on that 5 wt rod and a narrow stream.
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When you are fishing small streams many times you are casting way short of 30 feet so using a heavier weight line for shorter casting distances will tend to make the rod load better and be more efficient at those shorter casting distances.
I suspect that if you have a tip flex rod and you are casting short distances it will feel a whole lot better and cast easier with a line that is 2 weights higher. ( [#4040ff]remember that you have a leader and tippet being a much larger part of that casting distance at these short casts[/#4040ff]) Using a weight forward line should also aid in getting the rod to load better a short distances.
My $500 tip flex 5 weight rod, with 5 wt forward weighted, is not as much fun to cast on small streams as a $50 mid flex 4 wt rod with forward weighted 5 Wt line. One of these days maybe I will be fishing with some one who can lend me a reel with 7 wt line that I can try on that 5 wt rod and a narrow stream.
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