They are also more expensive of course.

This has also had the effect of "moving" some "standards". At one
time if you asked more or less any group of fly-anglers what rod they
used most, they would have told you, without much hesitation, a #6
weight. Now, many people would say a #5 weight, or even a #4 weight,
which have become increasingly popular, as indeed have even lower
weight rated rods. Not long ago, it was impossible to obtain a #3
weight rod at all. Now, things like #2 weights, #1 weights etc, are
available.

If you were able to handle some of the older im6 #6 weights, and a
few of the newer #4 weights you would discover that some #4 weights
are now as "powerful" as the old #6 weights used to be, although they
can not handle the same total weight of course.Nor will they cast as
far. The distance one can achieve is a result of line momentum which
is mass * velocity, so the lesser the mass the lesser the momentum,
and the less distance can be achieved.

The achievable momentum with any given combination is mainly dependent
on the skill of the caster, but it also depends on the weight and
configuration of the line.

This why beginners, and many others, find it easier to cast a rather
heavier line. ( or better still, a head! ) The head works because
the mass is concentrated in the head. The rod loads much sooner, even
with a small amount of line outside the tip, because of course it is
heavier per foot. The toatl weight however is less than the total
weight of a full line at the rod rating.

Some of this starts to get very complex very quickly, as it is largely
subjective as well. Contrary to what was recently stated here, there
are no standards for fly rods. The only tackle subject to a standard
is fly line. The rods are built , and quite arbitrarily given a
"weight rating" by the manufacturer, or one of his testers.

With some rods, a very good caster might rate the rod as a #5 weight,
another caster might rate it as a #6 weight, and a not too good caster
might even rate it as a #7. This is because only very good casters can
cast very light lines properly. It requires perfect timing and skill
to load a fast stiff rod using a light line. But of course, those who
can do it, rate the rod for the line they are using. Which is another
reason why many anglers, and not only beginners, often have
considerable trouble loading thei rods properly when they use the line
rating recommended by the maker.

Enough for now, before someone throws a fit........................

--
Regards and tight lines!

Mike Connor

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-online.de/

http://groups.google.co.uk/group/Flycorner?hl=en