Fly rod and lines

[dick tabbert]

Was going to ask a few people but could be an interesting forum and I'll admit I need all the help I can get and sure some other may get some benefit from the information. I have a half dozen fly rods not bad for someone who don't know how to cast one properly yet. Although I have a few rods sorry haven't really had the opportunity to use them much and some not at all. I do have the corner on wind knots so really need to get out and hone my skills and really improve. My three main go to rods are the 2wt, 4wt and 6wt all graphite. Us the 2wt most thanks to Greghopper who got me hooked.

I guess my questions are best fly lines, best leaders size leaders will it be better to go up in leader and smaller leaded is it better to go a size larger in fly line and will I get increase casting distance and better performance from my line/rod. Really want to make it work this year that is of coarse if I have any fish left from this sever winter. Any info will be appreciated. Will be attempting to use all three rods but my heart belongs to the 2wt ain't gonna lie.

Diamondback 2wt 4 piece 8'

Cabellas 4wt 4piece 9'

Sage 6wt 2 piece 9'

Have to find my reels seemed to have misplace only finding the 2wt reel. Have 2 reels for each rod when I get them located. Any info will be of help all you fly fisherman. So I want the farthest cast line for each rod and of coarse most forgiving. Can we go up on line and down on leaders to make up for the difference.

[Allen Morgan]

Dick, casting a fly rod is truly an "art" skill.  It takes lots and lots of practice.  I do not make any claims whatsoever about my skill with a fly rod.  I know I have some bad habits that I need to break myself of.

You mentioned "graphite" for your rods.  How fast are these rods?  Most graphite rods will say they are a particular weight, but in reality, are really a weight class one or two times higher than what is advertised.

You said you have two reels for each rod.  What kind of fly lines do you already have, if any?  Do you have a 3wt line to try out on your 2wt rod?  Same goes for the higher weight rods.

Remember, I originally bought a really cheap 5wt combo, and put a WF5F line on it.  I could get it to cast, somewhat.  Once I put a WF6F line on it, it was much easier to handle.  I'm still tempted to try a WF7F line on my 5wt rod.  My 8wt rod is a model known to have a slower action, even though it's graphite.  I went with a WF8F line for that, and haven't had many problems.  The 4wt I got from Tooty is fiberglass, and I have a DT4F line on that one.  I need to start testing it to see if that line will work, or if I need to go to a WF4F line.

[dick tabbert]

Allen I don't know anything about fast and slow only the weights. Sounds like I'll have to check into it that sounds interesting also. The 2wt has #2 weight foreword line and the 4wt has #4 weight foreword line.

[dick tabbert]

Allen got a little info on the rods looked it up on the internet.

Diamondback 2wt 2.3oz Fast

Cabelas PL9044 4wt 2.4oz Med

Sage Launch 690 6wt 3.50oz Med-Fast

Don't know what any of that means but that's what I found out so far.

[Allen Morgan]

Dick,

I would definitely look into over-lining your 2wt with WF3F ling, and the 6wt with WF7F line.  Your 4wt might be good as-is, but once you get a rod dailed in, you might find you need to over-line the 4wt as well.

[dick tabbert]

That sounds good kinda what I thought but hated to bite especially since I haven't a clue. My leader and tippet stay the same them right or should I go up on my leader to and keep the tippet the same?

[Allen Morgan]

Keep your leader the same.  I change my tippet to get desired sinking (Fluorocarbon) or floating (mono), and the thickness/length of the tippet depends on the size of the bug I'm throwing.  I prefer tippet to be about 2' long, although I've done longer.  Once the tippet gets too short, how the bug hits the water goes all to pot.  Once that starts happening, I cut the tippet off, and re-tie the bug on, and get back to fishing.  Bigger bugs mean bigger tippet.  Most dry flies I can probably get away with 4 lbs test mono for tippet.  Size 8 Gurgle Pops I prefer to use 8 lbs test mono.  Big stuff for LMBs I go to 12 lbs test mono.

Oh, I don't buy "Tippet".  I just get little pony spools of mono and fluoro, in different lbs test ratings, and use that.  Dirt cheap.

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Allen all good stuff and I'll be making some changes. The stuff your telling me makes lot of sense.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I've heard that for the novice, over lining is a good practice when using lower weight rods.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

DICK DEEP SUBJECT HERE BUDDY and my typing is getting bad lately. Uncle Arthur came to visit and over stayed his welcome ......{ arthritis in the right hand}.......

[dick tabbert]

Yea I know all about Uncle Arthur. he frequents here often and getting so I have no control to get him to leave but I know you know all about that subject.

[jim cosgrove]

dick-the slow med fast describe the action of the rod.same as any rod.a slow action is a soft rod.will bend supposedly its whole length.easier rod to learn on as your motion tends to be more exagerated when starting out.a soft rod also lets you feel the rod load on the back cast instead of looking over your shoulder.i find a soft rod easier to roll cast.i use short soft rods mostly cause i fish from shore a lot.to me being self taught it is like golf or archery.it is hard to figure out what your doing wrong cause you can't watch yourself.the hardest thing for me to learn was to only use my lower arm,keep your upper arm like it is taped to your ribs.once you figure out the right line on the right rod it will seem so simple.any cast is good that gets the bug to the fish

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Jim got to get serious so I do want to replace all my lines and start from scratch. Guess cause I have 3 different actions I'll have to learn them all but I guess the good thing is I'll know which one I like best. Thanks Jim for jumping in.