Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

I've got two of these great old Fenwick flyrods that are in great shape, plus a smaller 6 foot FF60. I want to use them again, but I'm not sure about what weight line to buy. Fly lines are not rated the same as they used to be back in the early '70s. I would like to put a weight forward sinking line on one of them, and a weight forward floating on the other rod. The little 6 footer was rated for a AFTMA 5-6 line, and I will put a floating level line on it. Anybody have any ideas?

Rating:
  • Currently 0/5 stars.

Views: 121

Comment

You need to be a member of Bluegill - Big Bluegill to add comments!

Join Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Comment by jim cosgrove on November 2, 2013 at 11:46am

i would say a WF 6 on the short rod if it is rated a 5-6.even a 7 if you do a lot of roll casting because of the brush.it will load with less line out and be more manageable.i fish a lot of brushey areas from shore with a 61/2 foot three weight tfo.bought just cause it will rollcast easily.it is graphite but the slower softer version.feels like glass but is much lighter.use light tippets so you can break off easy and don't break your rod

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on November 2, 2013 at 7:10am
My first thought its that, on a short rod, you'll have to have a heavier, weight forward line to energize the rod.
Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on November 1, 2013 at 8:29pm

JUST THE OPPOSITE JEFF, IN MY OPINION , THE SHORTER THE ROD THE HARDER they are to manage so the weight forward makes perfect sense to me. NOw if you were using some Dry flys with a delicate presentation I'd use a double taper , lands softer.......

Comment by Jeff Soto on November 1, 2013 at 8:26pm

4 1/2 oz. is the weight of the rod , I believe…  And I wanted a level line because the rod is so short, I thought it might be a cheaper easier line to use for small brushy streams.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on November 1, 2013 at 7:56pm

AFTMA means, "American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association," and they actually applied a standard to fly tackle that is still used. That is what the second line on the rod indicates. Yes it was new then, but.I'm fairly sure you could use a line that is at the upper end of the limit to energize the slower fiberglass rod. In other words, I'd suggest a 7 or 8, weight forward line.

The 4 1/2 oz is an older designation. Pretty sure they weighed 30 yards of the line and accounted the weight that way. Your rod marks a crossover point in the way we designate such things.

Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on November 1, 2013 at 7:55pm

Yup lines are still weighted and weighed that way today David. The old method was letter codes such as C , D, H, CDH, ETC. and got so confusing it was changed early 60's ....

Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on November 1, 2013 at 7:52pm

THE OLD FENGLAS RODS WERE GREAT AND A LITTLE FASTER THAN THE WONDERODS I USE. I'd still try the lines I said. By the way why level line?

Comment by Jeff Soto on November 1, 2013 at 7:48pm

Yeah David, they are fiberglass..   

Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on November 1, 2013 at 7:33pm

HEY JEFF YA GOT SOME GREAT ONES HERE....IF I was going to use level line Jeff I'd put the 6 level on the 6' rod. I"d try weight forward 7 weight on the longer one . To hard to explain it but most of these rods from the late 60's early 70's were all overrated for lines, in my opinion anyway. You can always go up a weight if ya like and that will slow em down considerably . I presume these are glass rods ? If so I'd do as I said. If they are graphite then I'd do the same but maybe go up one weight on the shorter one.........

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

icepic2

"Feel better Bruce ! 2025 I've been out three times and skunked each time. My buddy got a small…"
6 hours ago
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

icepic2

"That's one more than I've caught. Getting over illness and haven't been out yet."
10 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

icepic2

"Only ice Fish of 2024"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

265inchpick

"First Fish of open water 2024 was a fine Mama Pickerel.26.5"Close to store by some entering…"
yesterday
John Sheehan posted photos
Sunday
John Sheehan posted a status
"Tough three ice outings. One tip up bite off no fish ."
Saturday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Not often That East Coast of North Carolina Boat Ramps are Covered With Snow and Ice……1/22/2025

"I never would have guess that. When I think of south I think warm air and sunshine."
Thursday
tracy willis commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Not often That East Coast of North Carolina Boat Ramps are Covered With Snow and Ice……1/22/2025

"yeah the ice in the bays have just melted as of this morning on KY lake.  this is the third…"
Jan 29
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jan 27
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

1000003414

"Wow, beautiful!"
Jan 27
John Sheehan commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

1000003414

"Real nice, Troy!"
Jan 25
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

1000003414

"Looks great Troy……a beautiful reminder of the sport we love……good luck…"
Jan 24
Troy Dorman posted photos
Jan 24
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Troy Dorman's photo
Thumbnail

2lb 7oz toad

"This is a beautiful tribute to a great fish…..well done to the angler and your…"
Jan 23
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Agree John….we were reasonably mild until we reached January….we’ve had small craft advisories every day in 2025, no safe boating yet ,crazy"
Jan 23
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Jan 22
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Not often That East Coast of North Carolina Boat Ramps are Covered With Snow and Ice……1/22/2025

Water looks inviting but single digit wind chills screamed don’t do it Jeffrey….cant wait for…
Jan 22
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group East coast Ice fisherman
"No Fish but got out on the Ice this past Thursday but no luck.5-6 " ice,19-21 turns of the…"
Jan 19
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's status
"Dick, I thought that used Christmas tree was for a Fish crib."
Jan 10
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's status
"No trees John. Trees around the whole pond on the outskirts."
Jan 9

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service