Rod/line/reel set-up?

In by email:

"I got one of the Hydros Orvis Rods with a large arbor reel. Allegedly it has 5WF line on a 5W Rod and Reel. Does not seem to cast well. A guide on the Snake River recommended Rio Gold. Any thoughts. Bill"

You don't say how experienced a caster you are. If you are fairly new to fly fishing ask an experienced caster to try the rod. If they have no trouble casting the rod get casting lessons instead of a new line. If they have difficulty with it too then the line is probably wrong.

the word is the hydros is a bit on the stiff side, accurate and casts well beyond 40'. has less feel than the helios but is supposed to be the same blank as the helios. helios is better inside 40'. line brand makes no difference.

http://flycastingblog.wordpress.com/...helios-review/

Rio's my favorite. But brand name not the problem. A 5wt line should weigh very close to the same by any name. That is why it is labeled a 5wt line. Perhaps try a 6 or 7 wt weight forward line. Or, you don't say what the problem is....perhaps a 4wt line? Any way try a heavier line...or even a double tapered line. Try a friends reel with a 6 wt line before buying anything. Or buy the cheapest 6/7 wt you can find. $10 at Wal-Mart or $15 at dorbergrp.com. When you find a line wt that works....then by that line in a Rio Grande.

Just my thoughts.....nuttin' chisled in stone....

When a painting looks bad do you blame the artist or the brush?

Could it be the line is put on the reel backwards? A weight forward line doesn't cast well like that.

'doesn't seem to cast well'... that's not too specific, eh? Invite that person over here LF so he might explain that more.

I wonder if they took into account in that Hydros/Helios test that Wes linked to both rods can come in different flex ratings from tip flex to mid flex.
Also, a 5 weight line is a 5 weight line unless you go for the crutch lines that are heavier like the Rio Grand and SA GPX.
Who says fly fishing ain't complicated? ;)