line ID questions

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

Sorry if the answers to these questions are self evident, but I am somewhat new to this craft.

If I have a random fly line laying about, is there any way to tell

  1. what weight it is?

  2. on a WF line, which end is the weighted end? I assume it will be thicker, but is it visibly thicker?

2
  1. Unless you have a line that has that information printed on it, as some lines do, then the only way to know is to weigh the first 30 feet of line (or whatever the distance is, I forget) and check it against the AFTMA standards. FAOL would have this in its archives in multiple places.

Or just try the line on a rod. If it casts well, that is the weight of the line S.

  1. Yes. The WF end is visibly larger than the other end. Go back about ten or twelve feet from the tip and check diameter. If it is larger than the tip, it is the WF end. If you are trying to distinguish between a WF and a DT, you need to check both ends.
3

It is not necessary to check both ends to determine whether or not it is a WF or DT. If it is a WF, it will increase in diameter drastically, typically within the first 10 feet, and then rapidly decrease in diameter after about the first 30 feet, and remain the same diameter for the remainder of it’s length, known as the running line. The distance back to the" taper down" is based on which of the many variations of the WF “theme” that you have. In the case of a DT, some distance back from the two ends, the diameter will increase and remain uniform well beyond the first 30 feet (actually until the" taper-down" at the other end, hence the recommendation to check both ends. A DT line is a line of uniform diameter until it gets close to each end, where it uniformly tapers down to a smaller diameter for the last few feet. These tapered ends are identical, hence th ename Double Taper.

4

An Umpqua line scale costs about $20 and is a great tool to have around for checking fly lines to determine their weight. The graduations on this scale are marked in both grains and line weights. A powder scale like those used by shooter who load their own shells also works. You still need to manually inspect the line to determine the taper.

5

If you know someone who reloads pistol or rifle shells, ask to use their powder scale, as it weighs in grains, which is what is needed to accurately weigh the first 30 feet f the line.

6

hamlet, the suggestion to have a reloader weigh the first 30 feet of line is correct. I am a reloader and use such a scale, they are graduated in GRAINS, 7,000 to the pound so you can see a postal scale will not do the job. Yoiu should be able to pull the line through your fingers and feel the line getting larger in diameter and then leveling out. Hope this helps you and welcome to FAOL! Anytime you have a question about fly fishing or such just ask and someone will give you an answer. There is lots of knowledge out there in this group of people and they are very willing to share with others. Take care, John.

7

Thank you all for the helpful information. I have reloading equipment, so I will try the scales.

8

I thought that you asked which end goes where and I am not sure if anyone answered that qustion for you. In a DT (double taper) both ends are the same and it doesn’t matter which goes out the tip of the rod first. As a matter of fact when when end gets worn you can just flip it around and be good to go again. In a WF (weight Forward) line, the fat end goes out the rod tip first. Have fun with the new hobby and welcome to the greatest fly fishing board on the internet.