Fly Rods : Determine Fly Rod Weight

Fly Rod Weight

One of the biggest choices, besides the "action" of a fly rod, that anglers have to make when fishing around for fly rods is what weight of the rod they want to get. And by weight, we're not talking about how much the fly rod itself weighs! Instead, we're talking about what fly line weight the fly rod is designed to properly cast. While a fly rod can indeed cast any fly line weight, using a fly rod that is designed for a fly line weight of 4 with a fly line that actually weighs 7 will make for a very long and frustrating day on the river. Thus, it is imperative that the fly rod match the weight of the fly line you will be using.

Well, that's fine and dandy, but the problem remains, then, what fly line weight should an angler use then? The answer to that, happily, is quite simple. It all depends on what you will be fly fishing for! Once you figure that out, the weight of the fly line you will be using will quickly fall into place - thus making it easy to figure out what weight fly rod you need to get.

So, let's get started figuring out how to determine what fly line weight you want to use.

Fly Line Weight Measurement

Fly line is measured by its weight in grains. Since grains is not a real helpful way to measure things, the fly rod manufacturers have devised a simple numbering system that define the weight of the fly line. This numbering system spans a scale from 1-14, with the lightest fly line being a weight of 1 and the heaviest fly line being a weight of 14.

The reason for all the differences in line weight is because different line weights are best suited for particular fishing situations. For example, a heavy line weight (such as 9 or above) will work much, much better when casting larger flies than when using a light fly line weight. Similarily, using a tiny fly, like a midge, on a heavy line will be, well, a rather unpleasant experience. The weight of the fly line will take that midge all over the place, and will also make quite the commotion when the line hits the water - thus scaring away all the fish.

Determining the Right Fly Line Weight

So, what line weight is right for you? A summary of recommended line weights for various fishing by species and conditions is:

Fly Line Weight 1-3: Small trout, panfish, other small fish. Used when casting small flies on short casts.

Fly Line Weight 4: Small to medium sized trout and other similarly sized fish. Used when casting small flies and medium sized flies using short to medium-short casts.

Fly Line Weight 5-6: The most versatile of the line weights. This line weight fishes well for all but the smallest and all but the largest trout. Also performs adequately for smaller bass (not the lunkers in some Florida lake). Fishes well when using small, medium and larger sized flies (not massive streamers, though). Allows for longer casts yet performs short casts fairly well.

Fly Line Weight 7-8: Designed for very large trout and large bass as well as some saltwater species. Used for pitching large streamers and large flies. Longer casts are excellent. Not the best for short casts. And most definitely not designed for smaller fish and smaller flies.

Fly Line Weight 9-14: Large fish territory. Mainly used for saltwater fishing and fishing for Salmon and Steelhead.

Thus, as you can see, the trick to figuring out what fly rod weight you want to buy is to figure out what you will be fishing for. Once you know what you will be fishing for, you then know what fly line weight to use. And once you know that, it is just a matter of matching up the fly line weight with the right fly rod - which is very simple. You see, fly rods use the same numbering systems as fly lines do. Thus, if you will be using a fly line weight of 5 to fish for trout, then you want to get a fly rod that has a weight of 5, too. In other words, the moral of the story is this: The fly rod weight you get should match - precisely - the fly line weight you get.

And that, really, is all there is to selecting a fly rod weight.

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