Norwich Fly Rod Line Ratings and Fly Line weights.

This topic seems to confuse a lot of people. Some say a rod has an optimum loading point and works best with this or that single weight of fly line. I can’t see how that can be possible? Who decides on what the “optimum” line loading is? Which expert caster from the many good casters in the World, should be used as the benchmark for rating a rod's optimal loading? It is a daft notion isn't it?

Obviously when I rate a rod I rate it on my casting technique and what I feel is best for that rod. It does not follow that this may be to every casters taste, and this is why I am careful to give the reasons for the ratings on my rods.

 

B2+ B1 A3 C3

                                                        

 

 

 

See my Perfomance Factor page for more information on my fly rod actions.

There are mostly two. Take for example an ev2 9ft #6/7 3 section rod. The first number 6, refers to a double (not so popular these days) or a longer belly weight forward, i.e. a line with a belly (the level section excluding taper) of 36ft or more. This will load the rod comfortably and allow the line to be shot quite effortlessly to 100ft or more. The second number 7, refers to a std 30ft belly weight forward line. This too will comfortably allow the rod to cast that line a 100ft or more. This however does not mean that the rod will only work properly and load correctly with those lengths of line. A proficient caster will always be able to aerialise more line than an average caster.

All my rods have sophisticated taper design that allows, with the correct technique, the rod to cast the full fly line or a very short length of line of a few feet plus the leader and still turn the leader over properly.

Gram & grain weights have been introduced for the first time recently for fly lines. On the one hand that is good, on the other not so good. Most savvy fly casters weigh their lines. Reason being if they buy a new line or make up a new line they know what weight will load the rod. Problem with that is manufacturing variance in the weight of the line. Some lines are on the extreme of the tolerance at both the high and/or the low end. The line could be on the high side or on the low side of the weight tolerance allowed for that line number. So if the line is weighed and you cut the new line at that weight, it does not follow that the length of the line, will be the same length as the original line you weighed that worked well with the rod.

Experience comes into play here. Good casters have a feel for what is "right" for the rod they are using. Weight is important and giving the weight in gram & grain weights was supposed to eliminate a lot of confusion for budding fly casters. Gram or grain weights are "only a guide" not a definitive standard. A floating fly line of a given line weight performs entirely differently from a sinking line of the same rating in the air. The rod handles those different line densities and line diameters entirely differently and will thus load the rod entirely differently. The sinking line because it is thinner and more dense moves through the air so much faster. It has the same "mass" or weight as the floating line - but because of the increased speed with which it travels through the air due to its reduced diameter and thus less wind resistence, it will feel like it is loading the rod differently. It will feel as though that line is heavier. It isn't though. It is moving faster and  because of the speed the inertia on the turn over will load the rod shaft more deeply.

I design my rods with advanced tapers and a dual line rating system. This ensures that my rods will perform properly in all casting spheres and cope with the variance produced by different line types or manufacturing AFTM tolerences. For guidence here is the AFTMA line ratings for fly lines. Line weights are calculated on the first 30ft of level belly on weight forward or double taper fly lines. The front or back taper is not included when weighing and rating a line.

AFTMA (1961) WEIGHT SCALE FOR STANDARD LEVEL BELLY WEIGHT FORWARD & DOUBLE TAPER TROUT & SALMON FLY LINES.

The weight scale is based on weight of the first 30ft of line excluding the front taper.

First column is the line weight AFTMA number. Followed by the weight of the line in Grains (Including the agreed manufacturing tolerance range)

Followed by the weight in Grams then Ounces.

1 imperial ounce, = 31.1035 grames

 

AFTMA SALMON SPEY LINE RATINGS

Recent changes were agreed on in the fly fishing tackle trade to try to rationalize the many categories salmon fly lines in an effort to avoid the confusion arising amongst consumers who where having trouble identifying suitable line types to match to their rods. I'm not sure it worked out as planned, as only the major manufacturers were asked to be part of the consultation. Smaller companies like my own were not included in the discussions where parameters were set on fly line weights and profiles.....

 

Frankly the system is inadequate and complicates fly line choice even further for the consumer. Why are there no Skagit line ratings for instance? We are stuck with though it seems.... There is a multitude of different profiles and casting head lengths available to salmon anglers on the market these days. Continuous taper long and short belly spey type lines in floating and sinking versions have been introduced in a bewildering array of sizes and sink rates. Just which lines do you choose and be certain it will match and not be a waste of your money?

Why are there no Skagit line ratings for instance? We are stuck with though it seems....

There is a multitude of different profiles and casting head lengths available to salmon anglers on the market these days. Continuous taper long and short belly spey type lines in floating and sinking versions have been introduced in a bewildering array of sizes and sink rates.

Just which lines do you choose and be certain it will match and not be a waste of your money?

 

 

 

 

 

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