5/6 rod - what line?

**AdrianT** · 12-04-10

Good Day,

I fly fished for about 5 years when I was younger but the pursuit of windsurfing made me sell all my gear as money was tight being a student.

Then a few years ago I bought a fly fishing setup again and decided to skimp a bit as I don't fly fish very often these days. I bought a Summit Profly rod 8'6" 5/6 with a 5 weight line, a cheap line, which was a huge mistake.

My question is, do some rods rated as let's say for example 5/6, perform better with either a 5 or 6 weight? I would assume it would vary from rod to rod and that one or the other would be better. Anyone with experience with this specific rod? Long shot, I know..

I had Cortland 444 line back in the day and it was just great. So smooth and my casting was great back then. Now obviously, I haven't fished in a while and my casting is not what it used to be but it almost feels like the rod is struggling to get the line out, as if the line is too light. Is this possible? Maybe I just need more practise with the rod, but I tried a mates rod yesterday which was an even cheaper set up than mine and it casted a fair amount better (also a 5/6). I know price is not indicative of performance but some of the cheap things I've tried in life are really ugly..

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Adrian

**Ian** · 12-04-10

get yourself a 6wt line

**Andre** · 12-04-10

The dual rating generally means the lighter weight forward line in 6wt, or the heavier double taper line in 5wt. It pretty much much means you rod is an "all rounder". It is more than likely a fast action rod, so as Ian says, use the 6wt weight forward.

**AdrianT** · 12-04-10

Thanks guys, appreciate the quick response. I didn't know that about the DT and WF lines, interesting, and useful

**Ian** · 12-04-10

Originally Posted by AdrianT

Thanks guys, appreciate the quick response. I didn't know that about the DT and WF lines, interesting, and useful

That is what competitive guys do.......share information....for free.

**AdrianT** · 12-04-10

In the book, Think and Grow Rich it says something interesting. "Specialized knowledge is the cheapest form of knowledge. If you doubt this, just consult the payroll of any university"

Thanks again!

**jock0** · 12-04-10

Originally Posted by AdrianT

In the book, Think and Grow Rich it says something interesting. "Specialized knowledge is the cheapest form of knowledge. If you doubt this, just consult the payroll of any university"

Thanks again!

Stupid question but dont the first 10m of a DT and a WF line of the same #weight line actually weigh the same amount (roughly) in grams/grains? That's why they have the same AFTMA weight number after all?

**Andre** · 12-04-10

Originally Posted by jock0

Stupid question but dont the first 10m of a DT and a WF line of the same #weight line actually weigh the same amount (roughly) in grams/grains? That's why they have the same AFTMA weight number after all?

Yes, they do weigh the same, but the DT has a longer belly section, so the physical weight of the entire line is more. I wouldn't get too hung up on it though. The general rule of thumb, is that if you are going to make longer casts that 10 meteres, go for a WF. When casting, the more line out the rod tip, the longer the cast, the slower the action of the rod will be.