Tomcat,

I am not an expert on this subject, but here are some thoughts.

The variety of lines that are available to us is unbelievable compared to a number of years ago. You fish for bass and you went to a bass tapered line (maximum amount of weight way up forward to cast those big and heavy flies). A very specific line for a very specific purpose. Those are the lines I use when I fish for bass. You didn't mention which type of 4 & 6 weight lines you first used. If they were for trout then they would not handle a much heavier and wind resistant fly. Even in trout fishing, there are variations in lines. Some are made for delicate presentations of very small flies while others are made to cast out huge wind resistant (but not heavy) hopper type flies.

Just for info, I usually email or call the manufacturer of the fly rod I am going to use, or call the fly shop where I bought it, and ask their advice on which fly line to use for a given type of fly fishing. They know their rods and they know which lines work best for any given situation.

The main thing here is you are now out there casting and going after fish.

Larry ---sagefisher---