On Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:22:54 -0700, "Bob Weinberger"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
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
Snip

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.
Snip
TC,
R

That's only marginally correct. The proper choice of rod/line size is fairly
closely coorelated to fly size. For instance, while quarry of a size that
can quite easily be handled with rod/line sizes of 3wt and less are readily
caught on size 4 hopper patterns, one would want a 5-7wt outfit to cast that
size fly effectively. And, although you could cast a size 28 Trico with an
11wt outfit, it certainly isn't the proper tool for the job. In other
words, while the quarry sought and the conditions under which it is pursued
generally dictate the best choice of rod/line weight, often the primary
factor in making that determination is the fly size and delivery the angler
deems best in pursuing that quarry.

Your analysis of what I said is marginally correct. Please note your
own use of "the angler deems best." And I don't agree that fly size is
"often" the primary factor in "dictating" rod/line size if you mean
"often" to mean "most often" or "primary" and "dictating" to mean
adhering to rigid objective standard. OTOH, if you mean that it
sometimes can be _a_ factor, then yes, I'd agree. I would certainly
agree that a 28 on an 11 would generally be a mis-match, if for no other
reason that the strength of the tippet sizes usable with a 28 would be
much less than that in context to an 11 wt. rod. And I didn't say that
a 28 would be appropriate on an 11. But you seem to be thinking about
the upper extremes and/or extremes of range rather than the objectively
useful range - IOW, while a 3 wt. or less might be suitable for _a
particular quarry_ and the angler's subjective choice as the "best" fly
for _that quarry_ might be a fly better cast with a 5-7, that doesn't
mean that the 3 or the 7 is "better" for a reasonable and objective size
range.

IAC, I think most would agree that fly "size" (with "size" being the
size of the hook on which the fly is tyed) is not directly related to
rod and line size in the way that rod and line size relate to each other
- IOW, there are no 2, 3, 14, whatever weight flies such that one can
obtain flies based on the AFTMA rating of rods and lines, or even such
that such a "standard" could be developed.

TC,
R



Re being able to tell what size the hooks are in a fly box:
For most trout fishing situations the actual size of the hook is often
somewhat irrevelant. It is the size of the fly that is tied on the hook
rather than the size of the hook itself that is usually important in
determining whether you are properly imitating what the fish will take. For
instance, I commonly tie flies of a size, usually dressed on size 10 and
smaller hooks, on size 4-6 hooks - for very large fish in low clear water
conditions. Of course thats a unidirectional thing, i.e. you can't dress a
fly designed for a very large hook on a much smaller hook.

You will usually be best served by simply picking a fly from your box that
best matches the size of the bugs you are trying to immitate rather than
annaly memorizing a bunch of hook size numbers and their innumerable
permutations ( e.g.size 12, ring eye,1xLong, 2xStout). Also remember, as a
rule of thumb, if in doubt about the size of the bugs you are trying to
immitate, its better to err on the side of being too small.

Bob Weinberger La Grande,OR


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