I need help in determining the correct line weight for an old rod I just got.It is a
harnell 652, @8.5 feet,and seems like a sweet little rod. There is no line designation on it and I admit I am a novice flyfisherman.Any help anyone?
Start with a 6 weight line to see how it feels. Move up or down as needed. If you don’t have lines in different weights, your local shop probably has demo lines that you can try.
Jeff
I work only so that I can afford to fish
[url=http://nwcttu.tripod.com:0dd16]http://nwcttu.tripod.com[/url:0dd16]
Northwest CT TU web site
There is a way to check it without a line. It still may require a trip to your fly shop. Simply take your rod, place the cork and reel seat on a table or counter with the rest of the rod out in space. Hang a 1 oz weight weight on a paper clip and hang it on the tip guide. Take a rod you know the line weight and do the same thing side by side. When you find one that is the same or very near it You have it. This is what Leon Chandler did in the early 60’es when we went from H-D-H to line weight. He had a chart on a wall and a fixed reel foot. you put the rod on the foot placed the weight in the tip guide, looked at the chart and you had it! Quick and simple, and it worked very well.
Rich
kckland, RW here,
Harrington/Harnell was one of the great saltwater glass surf rod companies back in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. They also were leaders in glass at the time and made deep sea trolling rods and big game rods. If I remember correctly their blanks were a beautiful jet black. I had a couple of their rods when I was a youngster right after World War 2 growing up on the Jersey Shore. I didn’t know they made fly rods, but based on other competing rod companies of the time, I would guess an 8 1/2 foot fly rod of theirs would be a 6 or 7 weight. I think they still make rod blanks for custom makers. And you’re right, they were sweet rods. My uncle, who was an avid surf fisherman had half a dozen of their surf and jetty rods.
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
Thanks Guys, I really appreciate the input.
I have a 5 and a 7 wt. so I’ll test the action against them as a baseline.It is a jet black blank with a lively action.
Chris