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.

[dick tabbert]

makes sense that way I'm only butchering one side of the line.

[jim cosgrove]

i need to get those david i break off a lot of flies at times.those knots are a lot easier to tie at home than when your out.1.5mm is tiny but still some thing to retie to instead of a rushed "did i tie that right" knot with cold or slimy fingers.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I got mine on eBay. They work great.
They are better tied on at home, for sure. If you were to do it at waters edge, clear out a place on the ground and lay down. Then do the work over a piece of fine, light-colored cloth or something like that. Use magnifiers and tweezers.

They are unbelievably small.

But, they are worth it, IMO. And in case anyone wonders, you don't notice they are there in use. Tie them on using your knot of choice, and that is it.
( I add a dab of thin CyA to the knot to reinforce the connection, but that's probably just me being overly cautious.)

[Donald Schmotzer]

Hey, Dick...........The proper line weight depends on the fly rod and your own casting stroke. Even though each rod has a weight number stamped on it that does not insure that is the correct line weight. (it usually is) One of the hardest things for a beginner is to be able to "feel" the rod load and unload. Over lining usually helps "new-bees" because it helps develop this "feel". I believe it is also easier to learn on a 5wt that a 2wt for the same reason. The next thing is TIMING. To match my casting stroke....some of my rods are over lined by 1. But most of my rods are a med-fast or fast action rods and I like a little more line weight when loading. Over lining complements my casting stroke and it seems to  "slow" the rod action a bit.

When buying a fly line, don't buy the cheapest line you can find.....doesn't need to be a real expensive line either. It should be a well made line that is flexible, floats well and doesn't want to remain all coiled up when pulled off the reel. As for your "wind-knots"......(I love that name, since the wind has nothing to do with it) // a name that had to be invented by a frustrated fly fisherman // you are most likely throwing a few "tailing-loops". Beginners feel that the HARDER they whip the rod, the farther the line will go. Of course that is KNOT the way it works (pun intended). Try to make a smooth pull ending with a sudden stop on both the back and the forward cast. Remember to let the line unroll behind you before you start the forward cast and don't give the rod that "extra-hard" whip when you make your final forward cast. If you know someone that is a good fly-rod fisherman and lives near by, he could help you a lot.

Dick..........I am by no means an expert, but I have been where you are now. It takes a lot of practice and patience to get where you want to go. It is also better to spend 10-15 minutes every day practicing that 2 hours in one day. I wish you lived closer to me, I would love to help you.  I hope you can get the "kinks" out......Don't give up, fly fishing has to be the most enjoyable of all and once you get in the groove, you WILL be able to out fish bait fisherman 'hands-down'.

...........Good Luck.......................Don in SC

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

I'd like to add my two cents worth Dick , but have no better advice than what these guys have already posted for ya here buddy. Pun intended hey Donald, got a good laugh outta that one !!!! This is an almost endless deep question and the more you fly cast Dick the better you'll be , providing you don't pick up too many bad habits along the journey .
  The single best advise I can give is don't give up , just keep at it and soon you'll be able to cast with the best of em . You have to be able to self diagnose your problems , and that only comes with experience . One thing you might try also is stand at an angle so you can see your back cast and that will help with your timing initially and you'll be able to see how the loop forms...........

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Tooty I'm reading and taking it all in.

[Allen Morgan]

Or set a digital camera in video mode in a spot where you can film yourself casting.  Then watch the video and try and see where you're going wrong.

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Don I know I have to get out and practice which I haven't done much of. So I'm putting all new lines on the 2wt, 4wt, and 6wt and go out and try to ware them out. I know practice is key and really hoping I can find time and do just that.

[dick tabbert]

Just wanted to throw another question out there remember I'm still leaning. I have my 2wt, 4wt , and 6wt so that  I don't overexert my rod which size tippet for each of my rods. Like my 2wt does that mean 2lb test and so on.

[Allen Morgan]

Dick, tippet size is really dependent on the size of the bug you're throwing, not the size of the rod.  Granted, I'm not planning on throwing huge bass bugs with my 4wt (bugs that size would warrant 10 - 12 lbs test mono), but if I'm throwing tiny dries/nymphs with my 8wt in windy conditions, I go with 4 lbs test mono (for dries) or fluoro (for nymphs/wet flies).  Most of my size 8 Wooly Buggers (with about 8 turns of .030 lead wire) really hit their intended target when I go with 8 lbs test line.

If you notice that the bug isn't landing right; if it squirts off to the left or right side at the end of the cast, or it "hooks" down before the rest of the line lands, then you might want to think about going up to a stronger tippet than what you're using at that time.

[dick tabbert]

Allen you got all good info and I can see it mostly trail and error. Guess I have to get ur done. One more question then I'll have to go and study all the information and kinda let it sink in.

Question. If I'm using 9' rods do I buy 9' leaders or 7' and figure in the tippet from there.

[Allen Morgan]

I typically use a leader that's between 5 and 6' long, and figure in tippet after that.  Remember, the spookier the fish are, the longer your leader/tippet should be.