I have a fly line here at home that was given to me. There was no box or information with it. It is a weight forward line, peach colored like a Cortland peach that I have. I have not measured the lengths on it yet but it does seem to be of a fairly small diameter.
I seem to recall that the line cane be weighed to determine it’s weight rating but I can’t recall how to do it. Any input would be most appreciated. Seems to be about the same size as my 3wt but I need to be sure.
Thanks
nighthawk,
I have been where you are many times. I would put a fly line of known size on a reel and figure I will always remember what size it is and never mark it and the next thing you know, I do not remember what size it is. I finally broke down and purchased a Umpqua Fly Line Scale. They cost about $20 and are worth every penny. All you do is measure from the fly line tip back to 30 feet, make a mark on the line at the 30 foot mark, coil the first 30 feet up in large coils and weigh it on the scales. The scales will measure fly line from 1 weight all the way to 13 weight. After I know the weight of the fly line, I take a permanent felt tip marker and up about 6 inches from the fly line tip I will mark the fly line with a series of dashes/dots. Three marks equal a 3 weight line, 4 marks for a 4 weight, etc. Now I always know what weight fly line I am using and the 30 foot mark on the line gives me an idea on how long of a cast I have made while fishing. It is really a handy tool to own. Here is a link to what I am using and most vendors carry them:
Nighthawk,
You need to weigh the first thirty feet of the fly line with a scale that can measure small amounts. Many people use a powder scale like those used by shooteres who load their own ammo. You can also use a neat purpose built flyline line scale distributed by Umpqua Feather Merchants. Coil up the first thirty feet of fly line and add to scale while supporting the rest of the line as best as possible so that it doesn’t add to the pressure on the scale. If the scale reads out in grains you can convert directly to flyline weight by consulting one of the many charts of flyline weights that can be found on line including this one http://flyanglersonline.com/features/rodbuilding/tips/rt19.php . Note that there is an allowance of a few grains above and below the standard weight for each line. If the scale reads out in something other than grains such as ounces or grams then you will have to convert to grains.
The Umpqua Fly Line scale has become an indispensable piece for gear for me.
Eric:
If you only have one FREE line to figure out, why spend as much on weighing it as you would buying a new line? If you think it is a 3wt line, why not start with that assumption on a 3wt rod you know well? Strip off equal amounts of the 3wt line you already own and use the same amount of the mystery line. With your experience I have to believe you would be able to feel if the mystery line is lighter or heavier than a known 3wt line.
Besides, the true AFTMA weight to size measurement of a fly line is the first 30 feet MINUS the level tip section which can weigh a few grains or more by itself. While people swear by the results of trying to just weigh the first 30 feet of lines with purpose made scales and disregarding the tip section weight; I don’t know how that could be truly accurate or more accurate than guessing with a rod.
Just a thought…
Nighthawk,
I go along with WarrenP on buying the scale. I had a number of lines I wasn’t sure about so I bought the scale. It is so easy to use and is very accurate. Well worth the small investment.
Larry —sagefisher—
I’m an Umpqua scale person too.
They have a conversion chart right on the scale and they recognize the ignoring of the tip section but say it isn’t enough to worry about.
… a spin fisherman’s question to me.:shock:
John
After measuring a couple of dozen known full length lines as well as some cut up old ones with my Umpqua Fly Line Scale I found that the level tip section doesn’t add enough to throw the reading off such that there was any question as to what the scale was telling me. Now, the scale could be off but I calibrate mine with some known weights. If you measure 30ft of line, the added weight of the tip section will be countered by the lost weight of part of the belly equal to the length of the level tip, which is usually thicker and thus heavier than the tip section. The standard also allows a variation of plus or minus 6 grains a the lower line weights and this variance increases to 12 grains once you get to a 12wt.
L.o.L. John. Believe it or not I have the reel spools marked for my spinning gear and still have the boxes for my mono line (I use Stren). 
I sold my other 3wt a few months ago. For some reason I have thrown out the boxes from my fly lines and didn’t write down the numbers. I know them by the reel and spool they are on but this one is coiled up in a Zip-Lock Bag with no label on it. Since having my thyroid destroyed I am getting very forgetful so the scale might really come in handy. Really handy for the lines I see at yard sales as part of an outfit or on their own that no one knows anything about. If I don’t like it I can always sell it on ebay and give TU 10% of the sale (I do not write that off on taxes either) or just give it to someone.
I appreciate the advice guys. Nice to be able to learn from you folks.
I’m with Bamboozle on his “practical” approach and see/test how it acts/performs rather than how much it weighs.
Mark
I don’t have a 3wt rod. I had a 2wt rod that I overlined with a 3wt but that rod and line are gone. I think this is another 3wt that I picked up as a spare, put it in the bag and forgot to mark it.