Well Another Father’s Day Surprize. I have received a Daiwa model 1345 Fly Rod with an old Southbend Oren-O-Matic Reel. These are vintage from a relative. My problem is that I have no Idea what weight line can be used and cannot find any info on the web. Does anyone have a clue?
As I have never tried this before, I read the “Flyfishing Basics”, WOW. I cannot wait to go to the lake and practice. This will be a real experience for an old bass fisherman.
Thanks Ahead of time to any…
Lines are measured in weight. I would use a size 7 wt. for your rod. Even if it is one size too small or one size too large, you wil still be able to cast it. In wind, the larger line will work better. Go for it!!!
And one other thing, Trout don;t care what it cost…hook’em!
I learn more about the world while talking to myself when fishing alone
[This message has been edited by Jonezee (edited 19 June 2006).]
Ky-Caprines;
Welcome to the best flyfishing site on the web. Just remember to wipe your feet and new guy’s have to chop the wood and make the coffee. Oh yeah! no cleats in the club house!
Jonezee is right, as always!!
Don’t forget the Michigan Fish-In August 14th to the 20th. The Holy Water’s of the Au Sable await you!!
Cactus
Ky_Caprines,
First a warm welcome to FAOL! You will find a lot of help here and a lot of really good people. This site is well managed by JC and LF and if you will always remember to wipe your feet before entering their home, you will do fine. Oh, by the way, I think new members have to furnish the donuts.
Enjoy this new experience with the fly rod. I am a converted tournament bass fisherman and only wish I had started fly fishing 30 years ago instead of 12 years ago. It is really a relaxing and great time. Don’t let your first experience with the fly rod get you down. Make sure to get some instructions from your local fly shop, TU or other groups. It is not as difficult as most think. Once again, welcome and get ready for a great time. Oh, fly tying will be the next “bug” to bite you! 
Don’t worry, it is fun too.
Warren
Look for text on the rod shaft, right above the cork. Perhaps some letters or numbers. ( 4, 5, 6, 7 or C, D, E. etc. Let us know of anything.
Wow, that was a fast bunch of replies. Thanks.
Now let me get this straight…Chop the wood, make the coffee, bring the donuts and wipe my boots off outside…Easy stuff.!
So I load the reel with “Backer line?” then tie the Floating Fly Line, then add a tippit? Then at last get to put on a dry fly. (And they thought Bass fishing was tough he-he) Then I get to go to the lake and let my wife show me how to “Flip” the line (Yes, she use to fly fish, but did not get into the details) Her dad is the one who taught her and she really wants to get me “Hooked” on it so… here we go.
I have a friend in Norwood, MA who use to tie his own flies…remarkable operation. I might consider it this winter.
Any more recommendations…besides jelly filled on the donuts?
J
I have searched this rod tip to cork. The only sign of use if a few notches on the cork. The only thing I can find is a big sticker that says Daiwa 1300 Series, below that is:
1345
8'
244cm
in a box on the label.
TJ
thanks, lets keep at this. (Do NOT let wife get back into flyfishing, unless you are very, very, rich! Hey, the good stuff costs plenty! 
Good grief, any chance there is a ‘fly shop’ near you? Lines ain’t cheap; not smart to buy one and just guess. They would have one you could ‘test’ on your rod if you took it with you. Carefull, of your $$$.
[This message has been edited by J Castwell (edited 19 June 2006).]
Thanks Jack but if I was always right I would be picking the correct lottery ticket…hasn’t been the right numbers yet.
I checked around on the Daiwa fly rod. I could not find anything on the old 1345, but it seems Daiwa has a thing for marking their rods, either 8-8.5 & 9 foot all size 6/7. This being fiberglass and graphite. J.C. is right about heading to a fly shop. Ask to use a reel out back with a couple of different sizes on them and or take the advice of the pro. Howell Raines a noted fly fishing author “Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis” writes fondly of his dad fishing for large mouth bass with “huge deer hair flies”. You can try fly rod poppers too.
Good luck, bag a bass on a fly!
Welcome to the board. Unfortunatly, I know nothing about that rod, so I can’t comment. I would do what JC said, as that would be the best way to find out which line weight will load the rod best.
By the way, I like my coffee black and peanut doughnuts.
Where are you – geographicly? Lots of us have a good selection of lines and there might be someone local who could help you test out the rod to find the perfect line for it.As has been pointed out decent fly lines are not cheap.
AgMD
Nope no local fly shops. Which is kinda strange as we live near a 10,000 acres lake with everthing from bass to roughy and is fed by 20 rivers and streams that frequently stocked with trout.
My choices boil down to Wally World or a trip to the Outdoor World/Bass Pro shop near Nashville. Oh yeah, I live in south central Ky in the foot hills, east of Bowling Green.
I e-mailed Daiwa in hopes that they might have some info.
Bass pro has a line $10.It is orange, but you need that color or something like it so you can see it well when just startin out.Then go to the yard,park,ballfield and practice.Read the basics section here on FAOL again and again ect.ect. The flycasting info is great.It has helped me alot(and I been at a while).
The cheap line will sufice for the time being till you get the casting down and it is cheap when ruined in the grass and dirt.
Keep you tip up. Dennis
KY,
You might want to try to hook up with these guys:
[url=http://www.nkyflyfishers.org/:a6cc2]http://www.nkyflyfishers.org/[/url:a6cc2]
They used to have a affiliated group based in Stanford which is a little closer to you. They also have a message board with info on local waters.
Also, I think there’s a pretty good fly shop in Lexington called “The Sporting Tradition”.
Jonezee Gets first pick out of donut box and the first cup of coffee!!
Daiwa finally e-mailed me. The rod was offered and built in 1982 & 83 and uses a #7 line. Daiwa says “there should be a sticker next to the decal indicating this…”
HA NO Sticker! Just a decal…
Anyway Thanks to All…I am heading to Wally World and get some practice line (hopefully) and then going to spend my dollar on the Lottery numbers that Jonezee is going to provide in the next message…
The Numbers Are:
I don’t think I’d recommend a cheapo line, even for practice. They can be a royal pain in the rear even for an experienced caster. A “good” line is only $45 and can potentially last you a couple seasons. You can learn how to cast just fine on a cheap rod, but if your line is coiling up and sinking when it’s supposed to be floating, you’re not going to have a very good time. If you get a decent double taper line, you can reverse it after mangling one end on your lawn.
I never set foot in real “fly shops” unless I have no choice. I prefer regular sporting good stores with fly fishing sections. Prices aren’t as insane and sometimes the employees are less pretentious. Anyhow, if you buy a line from a sporting goods store or fly shop, you can probably get them to spin your reel up with backing, attach the line, and perhaps even knot up your first leader for you at no extra charge.
Ky_Caprines - Since you are south of mason dixon line I trust you. Winning numbers are…um…um…um…um…um…11 um…um 20…um…um…25…um…um…27…um…um…30…um…um and Power Ball number…um…um…13 !!! We of course will share winnings??? As Japanese ole time fly fisher once said…“Gambot Kudasai” (Go for it!!)
Your dah man…hope that # 7 line will bring in a big bass for you. Good luck, Jonezee
There is a website here called Global Dorber on the sponsor board to the left of here. They have a decent Aquanova line made in Canada for only $14.40. They have great deal on backing also. For around $20.00 they will ship to you and you will get deceent product. The knots sections here on FAOL will help you apply all to the reel and show how to attach leader. You need to be able to do these things yourself and not rely on someone else to “load” you up. Fly fishing is not rocket science and “Trout don’t care what you paid for it”.
One other thing. You need to get into that automatic reel and apply some lubricant to it. WD40 T-9, something to get the workings slicked up and performing for you. If you need more advise, please ask.
I learn more about the world while talking to myself when fishing alone
[This message has been edited by Jonezee (edited 21 June 2006).]
The $10 lines from BassPro gave me very good service in warm water fishing. I think it would be great for lawn practice. The less expensive lines from local stores did not work as well for me. Fairplay for example, I avoid like the plague.
Once you decide on a line, keep it nice and clean.
Jim
Damn, Jonezee always gets the first doughnut.