On Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:43:13 -0400, gary3594
wrote:


Still a beginner but trying to venture out without a guide. I know the
tippet/leader/line/rod needs to be sized appropriately to fly size

Er, no. Generally speaking, the rod and the line need to be matched,
and obviously, tippet must be sized such that it is physically
appropriate in size and characteristics to the size of the fly and the
eye of the hook (IOW, a 80-lb test shock tippet won't fit through a fine
wire 32, and even it would, it wouldn't be an appropriate choice), but
the size of the fly in no way correlates directly to the size of the
rest of the tackle, including line, leader, and tippet as do the rod and
line. One could properly use a single size of fly with a large range of
tackle, from a 1-2 wt with a tiny "line-holder" reel, appropriate line
and leader/tippet to a 5-6 with a serious reel and appropriate line,
etc. Generally and within reason, fly size is a function of quarry, its
"food" and what the angler's experience tells them is the "right size."

Generally speaking (and this is somewhat subject to personal choice),
you should match your rod and line to your quarry and conditions. For
example, on a small stream with lots of vegetation around and smaller
quarry, where casts were short, one would likely want a smaller, shorter
rod and lighter reel, whereas on a larger, more open river with larger
quarry and longer casts, to similar species as the small stream, one
would likely want a larger, longer rod and sturdier reel. However, one
might well use the same size fly on both.

but
I can't tell what size flies are in my box. Can't find anything on the
internet like a hook size chart.

Yes and no. You'll probably need to refer to several sources of data to
absolutely size hooks of an unknown specification/size/type. There are
_general_ size charts that give actual sizes of specific hooks, but I've
never seen an actual-size chart that has all hooks in all types/styles
from all makers, much less all of the hooks made over the last 30-50
years that one might encounter. That said, getting charts from Daiichi,
Tiemco, and Mustad would probably get one pretty close, if not dead-on.

If I may, why don't you know what size they are?

Is there a easy way to tell what size fly while on the stream?

Yes. Experience or organization.

TC,
R