Rod Length and Fly Line

[LostMyWife]

When we got our outfits, we had no idea what to buy. We went to a pro and did fairly well.

But now I have some questions.

First, i got Davy Wotton's DVD, Wet Fly Ways. He talks about using an 11.5 to 12 foot rod. Most I see or hear about at Taney are 9 foot rods. What's the difference.

Next, is there a way for me to tell what kind of line I have. Again, the fly shop suggested, I said ok, they loaded it. That was 3 years ago. Now i am curious.

It probably does not matter at this point, but reading about all of the different outfits that everyone has, has got me wondering why.

[jdmidwest]

For fishing MO trout, a 8.5 or 9 ft rod in 4 or 5 wt should cast any flies you will need. Rods should be chosen on the type of river you are going to fish for length of cast and the size of fly you will usually fish. Much like a spinning rod, you can't throw a 1 ounce bass plug with a 5 ft ultra light.

As far as the line goes, you can stretch it out and see what taper it is. If it is skinny at the leader then thickens, then gets skinny again it is a wt forward line. If it does not get skinny in the middle and has the same identical taper at the reel end it is a double taper. If it is the same thickness end to end, it is a level taper and you were screwed. The taper helps load the rod to shoot the line and you will probably have wt forward. To find the weight of the line you have to weigh a length of line to find out the weight in grains then convert. There is a formula somewhere, but you probably have the right weight.

[LostMyWife]

The line is the same taper front to back.

[Greg]

LMW

If your line is truly the same taper front to back then it is a "level" line. And I would suggest you replace it as soon as possible with a tapered line. I started out years ago with a level line and I never could cast it very well. Once I put out the few extra $$ for a tapered WF line - my casting quickly improved. I'm not saying level lines can't work but they will never work as well. Most fly fisherman around here use a WF line although I know a few that use the double taper. Either are a huge improvement over the level line. If you have a level line and go out and get a WF line - I think you'll be shocked at how much easier casting will be for you. You can pick up a good quality WF line at BPS for about $20.

As far as rod length. Davy Wotton is an expert on fly fishing. But my experience has been that the longer length rods are tiring to use. I used a 10 ft 5 wt once and it just wasn't as pleasant to use for me. I could see where the longer length would be useful in certain situations though.

I agree with the other poster that an 8 1/2 or 9 foot fly rod in a 5 wt is pretty ideal for most trout fishing situations in MO and Arkansas. It is what I have been using for years.

Greg

[LostMyWife]

Thanks Greg

I am all about making it easier.

We have Orvis Battenkill III large arbor reels. Should we buy new spools and load them or just dump the line that we have and start over? When would we use the level taper?

[Terry Beeson]

Click here for fly line taper explained.

Sounds like you have a double tapered (DT) line. Many casters prefer weight forward (WF) to help add some distance, but DT lines work just fine and many fishermen prefer them. It's all a matter of taste and feel.

Davy has a somewhat unconventional set-up. Not that it's a BAD set-up, just that it is not what you usually find on the river. It's pure Davy and a good set-up. Talk to him about his set-up from the fly line to the fly... It works for him and I've resolved to try his terminal set-up myself.

Many set-ups depend on where you are fishing, what you are fishing for, and what you are fishing with. Nymphing in a small creek for small fish, casting dries across a large river, fishing streamers in fast water, etc. etc. etc. all call for different riggings. Some a matter of personal taste as well.

I've seen a few guys who are trying to bring back the "Spey Casting" method back using rods that are from 12-18 feet long. It's a two-handed casting method that is BEAUTIFUL to watch and gets the fly WAY the heck out there. If you are pretty much to yourself in a larger stream it would be good, but again... smaller streams, smaller rigs.

As JD said, standard for the White River system and MO trout fishing would be an 8 1/2 ft or 9 ft 4 or 5 WT rod. I bet if you asked 10 fly fishermen (during the day - many use 7-9 WTs at night) what they are casting, at least 8 of them would have one of those set-ups.

Then again, what works for you is the best rig... Experiment.

So much to learn, so little time, huh?

Extra spools save a lot of time.

[LostMyWife]

Thanks Terry

I will check out the link.

The so much to learn part is "for real", but that is the beauty of a hobby. That distraction from work that allows you to learn and calm the mind at the same time.

Gotta love it

LMW

[Greg]

LMW

Before you dump the line I would look at it again. If it truly doesn't vary in taper at all then it is a level line. If it is a level line then I would just get rid of it. If you read the article Terry sent - there aren't really any situations that a level line is as good as a tapered line.

If it is a double taper line then there is nothing wrong with it. But most anglers I know prefer a WF - including me. I would buy a WF and give it a try. You might find you prefer it.

Greg

[WebFreeman]

LMW:

I was looking at my reel last night that shop put a sticker on the back side of the spool that told me what it was. You might pop the spools out and see if that did that. Hopefully it's in there. I would guess that since you bought nice stuff from a shop, they wouldn't put level line since hardly anyone recommends it.

[Danoinark]

Jim

I was going to say check with the shop or place you bought the line. I can't imagine any shop carrying level line anymore. I bet its WF line. I do use double taper lines in that I am not a distance caster. I prefer to fish close in or out to about 40 feet. I find that double taper lines will load my smaller length rods and roll cast much better than the weight forward lines. One of the advantanges of double taper fly line is that when one end wears out, then just turn it around and you have a new line.

Dano