I found a Redington Redfly rod that is labeled 5/6, and I’m somewhat confused, I thought rods were line specific. I want to use 6 weight line. What would be the difference in using this one, or just using a 6 weight line on a 5 weight rod I already have? It’s a 9 foot, 2-peice, I want to use it to throw some poppers until i can get an 8 weight set up.
In reality most rods will cast two or three line weights reasonably well – eg, your 5 wt rod can probably cast a 6 wt and 4wt line reasonably. Some rod product lines, like Redfly, have fewer rods models and label rods as multiple weights such as “5/6” but there’s nothing really special or unique about those rods.
Also some people say that a difference of one rod wt such as between a 5 wt and 6 wt is pretty negligible and that if you’re interested in a heavier rod, you should move up 2 line wts – eg, from 5 wt to 7 wt.
If I was you, I’d try a 6 wt line on your existing 5 wt rod. You may find that you like the way it a casts better than with a 5 wt line. Then if you still want a heavier rod, go to a 7 or 8 wt.
Usually that designation means a 5 wt double taper line or a 6wt weight forward line.
In my pointy head that seems backwards.
why do folks want to believe fly fishing is so ridiculously complicated?
MOST of us are not fly-only anglers… most people come to fly fishing after already fishing with spinning or other tackle… DWM seems to be one of those- SO,
a fly rod able to cast ONLY one “weight” of line would be analogous to a spinning rod with which you could ONLY cast a 1/4 ounce lure with… just as an example. Of course there is no spinning rod which would ONLY cast one specific weight of lure. It might cast say, a 3/16 to 3/8 ounce lure BEST, but yes it will absolutely be useable with 1/8 to 1/2 ounce lures too…
This ^^^^^
Wow! It’s a fly fishing forum, so I assumed (incorrectly) that it would be alright to ask a question, sorry to bother you. Guess I need to find another group. Why the need to be so condescending, bad day?
Not sure which reply you’re referring to. In any case, hope you didn’t find my reply condescending. I really don’t believe any criticism was intended by anyone. People here are generally friendly and very helpful, so hope you reconsider and hang around.
Probably best if you just ignore jszymczyk’s rant…unfortunate that he trotted out his usual polemics for what was a pretty simple question. And of course this is the Internet – a tough skin is required.
In response to your question, I am a bit surprised the rod is rated so, because while it was common in the past, it is less so these days. The rod should throw a 5 or 6 weight line well. Difference between the two would be determined by conditions and your own casting ability. If you are just starting out, you might want to go with the heavier line, because it will be easier to load the rod. Good luck and welcome.
DWM,
As indicated, to answer your question, yes there are multi weighted rods, not actually multi weighted but rated I guess is a better term. Rod weights/rates are a suggestion by the manufacturer as to what they suggest you cast with. The style of your cast, the length of your cast, the weight of the fly (s) you are casting, the normal wind conditions and many other variables all can factor in to the line you really should use. For instance, I use an 11 foot 6 weight Sage XP rod for nymphing on the larger rivers out west. Since I am casting a rather cumbersome fly/split shot/strike indicator arrangement, which means no real long distance casting, so I asked Sage what line they suggested for my rod. They said to use a 7 weight nymphing line. (works really well). I also use an 11 foot Sage Z-Axis 6 weight rod for nymphing. For this rod they suggested a 6 weight Skagit spey line (which also works great).
So, back to your 5/6 rated rod. Many rods have multi rates on them. For rods like that I always figure how I am going to be normally casting it. For shorter casts I would go with a 6 weight rod, to help the rod load up faster on those shorter casts. Loading the rod is important for a good cast. If I figure I will be doing mostly long casts, then I would opt for a 5 weight line. Since you will have may more feet of line out, that line will load the rod very nicely without stressing the rod.
Either way, you will be able to cast and I trust, catch some fish.
Larry —sagefisher—
Fly rods can and do cast different weights because we cast different distances each cast. I often cast a 7wt line on my fast six weight rod bass fishing from my kayak because almost all of my casts are under 30’. I cast the same 7wt line on my fast 8wt rod when i am heaving 75+ foot casts bass fishing from the bank.
Manufactures try and hit a happy medium to and base the rods line weight on 30’ of line out the rod tip. The rods line weight is base on a company expert’s opinion casting 30’ of line,your opinion my vary.
I was referring to the reply made by jszymczyk. I’m not really sure what his problem is, but everyone else was helpful. I’ve been fly fishing for a quite some time, but all of my equipment is light weight, I usually use a 2 or 3 weight. I thought it would be fun to fish for bass, so I thought I would need something larger to throw poppers. I have never seen a rod labeled 5/6, so I thought this would be a good place to find the answer.
Dwm
My six weight is my main bass rod. When I am throwing poppers i use a six weight floating line. Use a leader with at least 60% butt section and taper down to 8 to 12lb tippet and you will be fine. I would recommend the 6 weight forward line for the Redington you described
DWM ~ you must always keep in mind these fly fishing forums are long famous for hair splitting on subjects and different weight lines for fly rods happens to fall into that category! (LOL)
4wt is as small as my fly rod arsenal goes (runs from 4 to 9wt). Since I’m far from the sharpest knife in the drawer, I try to keep things as simple as possible so at least I can understand it!
Some years back I attended a Trout Unlimited meeting that had a great speaker from a rod manufacturer (St.Croix). He talked about the manufacturing of fly rods and tossed in a few other tidbits to boot. Some of the main things I picked up from the talk was that fly rods should be able to handle (in addition to the recommended line weight) going up or down at least one weight size; and, of course, affecting the rod’s performance, too. What I gleaned from it for my use is that by dropping down a size does better for a shorter leader with the line alighting on the water softer. Going up a size makes for a little better distance casting AND for the short casts will handle a longer leader.
Let me add … although I presently have about 13 fly rods, I try not to do the multiple weight rods but I just counted three that are. For example, my favorite (like kids, your not supposed to have one!) rod is the 5wt - Do NOT want a 4/5 or a 5/6, I want a FIVE WEIGHT. Might get too complicated for me!
Just to add to the confusion, RIO has a line that is “a full line weight above industry standard”. The line over weights the rod and is supposed to cast farther more easily. (Grand model if you are interested.) Overlining is a fairly common practice to increase casting distance. So, like stop lights in Italy, line weight like lure weight is merely a suggestion.
Welcome DMW.
More confusion? I have a brand new 5 piece rod from the UK. It is labeled Oscar Traveller Deluxe Travel Rod AFTM 9’ #7/9. Wonder what line to put on it. Perhaps on rods labeled with more than one weight…one could use the CCS system to decide what line would be optimal for those kinds of rods.
A better way is to simply try it with each of the weights listed, and see which one you prefer. There is no “optimal” that applies to everyone, at every casting distance, with every size fly.
The first graphite fly rod I bought was back in 1990. It was a Sage DS2 9’ 6/7 2 pc rod. When I asked the guy in the fly shop why two lines, he said that it was really a 6wt but some folks who are just starting out fly fishing, might find it easier to use a 7. For years I used a 6 wff line on it and was pleased.
Dave
Actually “jszymczyk” post was helpful but may be just a bit brusque. However, it is very factual in that we tend to make too much of things at times. I have a friend who builds bamboo rods, making ever component himself. He will not label his rods as to a weight specific line size. He will make a suggestion as to what he felt worked best when he lawn tested the rod but your experience my differ from his. I have two of his rods and one is a spot-on 3 weight as he suggested but the other rod I prefer with a 6wt. and he liked with a 5 weight. Different line weights react differently on each rod but to take it to the next step, even different brands of the same line weight will react differently. The only way to know for sure is to try a few different lines on a rod and when you suddenly find yourself smiling you’ve probably found the right one.
I agree we make too much of things; that’s why I just use whatever line my rods are rated for. To some folks the tinkering and experimentation are what it’s all about, but that’s not me. Then again, I don’t have any rods rated for multiple weights.