Last updated on September 5th, 2022
Do you ever wonder what the weight of the fly line refers to? Well, all rode or line manufacturers weigh their fly lines and measure their weight in grains. Rod manufacturers create rods to be used under average conditions by average persons. However, it is unlikely that most fly fishers use only one fly line weight on their favorite rod.
If you look closely at the rod handle, blank or fly line backing, you will find a code number that indicates the right line for the rod as suggested by the rod manufacturer. Keep reading for more about how to choose the right fly line weight.
Meaning of the Number
When the number indicated on the rod is six weight line, for instance, it means that you should use a six weight line with the rod. In such a situation, most anglers would use nothing more or less than six weight line, which is alright.
However, to benefit comprehensively and get the full potential from a variety of fishing situations, you can use several line sizes with the rod.
What manufacturers often mean by the number on the rod is for average fishing conditions. They allow you to use the rod in a host of fishing situations since they understand that casting styles and fishing skills vary from one angle to another.
The allowance is within a plus and minus two from the recommended weight. Just make sure the variance in the line weights you choose to use on the rod is as much as 2 line sizes from the size that the manufacturer suggests on the fishing rod.
You will not damage the rod by using a line that is slightly heavier or lighter than the recommended weight. It is a fact that sometimes rods fish better if you use different line sizes with them.
Choosing the Right Fly Line Weight
- Determine Fly Line Weights
Manufacturers in the USA use grains to measure fly lines. Just as a reminder, there are 14 grains in a gram. The fly line weight values run from 1-15.
Knowing the fly line’s weight will help you see the kind of fish you can use to catch. This information will also help you understand which fly line weight you can use in particular fishing circumstances.
You also need to know that artificial flies’ sizes range from 28 to 6/0. Also, you need to understand that fly line weights range from 1 to 14, which is the lightest to the heaviest.
- Match The Weight to Conditions
At times, you have to use various fly line weights on a rod to serve different fishing conditions. Fishing a swift, tumbling mountain brook requires you to use a leader as short as 7.5 feet with a dry fly.
On the other hand, fishing for trout with a similar outfit and a dry fly on a calm beaver pond, spring creek, or quiet lake, you should not use such short leader since it will prevent you from catching barely any fish it.
Knowing that on calmer water, you should use longer leaders is not enough. You should also know why longer leaders are needed in such situations.
In calm water, when the line falls to the surface during casting, it frightens the trout. Therefore, longer leaders are preferred for fishing under such conditions. The longer they are, the further away from the fly is the splashdown of the line.
However, longer leaders also have shortcomings. The most common one is that they are difficult to cast and therefore lead to reduced accuracy during casting.
That brings us down to using a fly line that is one size lighter than what the rod manufacturer recommends as the solution to the contradicting problems of the right fly line length choice. That means you should choose a five weight line to use on a six weight rod.
- Type of Water
The type of water where you fish can guide your fly line weight choice. When fishing in small streams or ponds, you need fly fishing weights that are smaller in number.
Since the fish in these water types are generally small and lightweight, you need a fly fishing line weight from zero to three.
Since freshwater fishing often targets several species of fish, it requires fly line weights from 4 to 8. The weights ranging from 9 to 15 are heavier, and therefore suitable for saltwater fishing where you find species such as tuna, trevally, and tarpon.
- Prevalent Weather
Weather condition is also an essential factor to consider when choosing the right fly line weight. Every angler desires to be met by the perfect weather condition every time they go fly fishing, but that is not always what happens.
In windy weather where high powered winds may disrupt your casting, you need to use fishing lines on the more upper side such as those with weights from 6 upwards.
Overweight fly lines along with heavier and faster rods help cut the wind more effectively besides allowing you to turn bugs over in the wind more efficiently.
- Varying weight and speed
Fly rods are usually designed to cast specific line weights with a good speed of the line. That is why when you choose a line that is lighter than the weight specified on the rod.
It will land softer on the water, which is an advantage. Another benefit of using a lighter line is that it travels at a slower speed, which amounts to a softer impact on the water.
So, if the line is two sizes light, you can cast a dry fly to a greater distance than when in a trout fishing situation.
Final Verdict
As you have just seen, there are numerous types of fly lines. The process of choosing the right weight may be a challenge if you are not well informed. But with this guide, you should now have a better understanding of how to choose the right fly line weight.
To be a good angler and to increase your chances of success in fishing, you have to be great at choosing fly lines based on sizes and weights, among other factors. Therefore, when you are buying your fly line along with fly line backing, top quality should be at the top of your priorities.
