Guys,

When Tom Kirkman spoke about 'overlining' he was talking about using a line that BREAKS at a heavier pound test than the rod is rated for.

It had absolutely nothing to do with FLY LINES, but rather tippet breaking strength (or line test for a casting or spinning rod).

Using a heavier 'weight' fly line on a fly rod will not damage it. A fish, even a small one, pulls harder on the rod than the casting stroke imparts. Often, so does lifting the fly line from current, pulling on a snag, or even retrieving some flies.

Besides which, the line weight rating from the manufacturers of fly rod blanks is subjective and often varies both from blank to blank and from line to line.

If you have rod that you find difficult to cast with the 'rated' line, there are ways to test it (I think the Hanneman Common Sense System was covered on this site) to see if a heavier or lighter line is required.

It's always best to first try the rated weight line. Just remember that it's not unusual for a given rod 'rating' to be off a bit, and if you own a rod that seems to be a 'dog' to cast, it can be that it needs a different weight line.

Also, there are certain fishing conditions where a heavier or lighter line is useful. That's a personal choice, of course, but if you put a 9 weight line on your 6 weight rod, you won't 'hurt' it.

Good Luck!

Buddy


------------------
[url=HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML:c3b1c]HTTP://HOMETOWN.AOL.COM/RSAN2708/INDEX.HTML[/url:c3b1c]