line choice for beginner

Mike Connor wrote:

AFTM In grains In grams In ounces
3 100 +/- 6 6.48 0.228
4 120 +/- 6 7.78 0.274
5 140 +/- 6 9.07 0.32
6 160 +/- 8 10.42 0.366
7 185 +/- 8 11.99 0.422
8 210 +/- 8 13.61 0.48
9 240 +/- 10 15.55 0.55
10 280 +/- 10 18.14 0.64
11 330 +/- 12 21.38 0.75
12 380 +/- 12 24.62 0.86


From what I understand, some of the new lines out there are really now
outside the above limits. IE. a line sold as a 5 weight is really about
a 5 and a 1/2 weight or even slightly more. (Maybe someone in the
business can comment)

When the line manufacturers start deviating from a "standard" it makes
it difficult for the public to make a reasonable decision. Add to this
all the new specialty lines out there, and the decision is even harder.

Willi

"Willi" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
...


Mike Connor wrote:

AFTM In grains In grams In ounces
3 100 +/- 6 6.48 0.228
4 120 +/- 6 7.78 0.274
5 140 +/- 6 9.07 0.32
6 160 +/- 8 10.42 0.366
7 185 +/- 8 11.99 0.422
8 210 +/- 8 13.61 0.48
9 240 +/- 10 15.55 0.55
10 280 +/- 10 18.14 0.64
11 330 +/- 12 21.38 0.75
12 380 +/- 12 24.62 0.86


From what I understand, some of the new lines out there are really now
outside the above limits. IE. a line sold as a 5 weight is really about
a 5 and a 1/2 weight or even slightly more. (Maybe someone in the
business can comment)

When the line manufacturers start deviating from a "standard" it makes
it difficult for the public to make a reasonable decision. Add to this
all the new specialty lines out there, and the decision is even harder.

Willi




That is correct Willi. The trick here is to bamboozle people into using a
heavier line, which to some extent will cast more easily at short range. As
very few people use these lines at any distance, they never notice, and can
of course cast more easily. They could do exactly the same if they wanted,
simply by using a DT one rating higher.

It is generally easier for beginners to cast heavier ( Floating!!!!) lines,
as they can feel the rod loading more easily. This of course has a number
of disadvantages. Presentation suffers, distance ( assuming the requisite
casting capability) is not so easily achievable, larger ( = heavier) reels
are required, etc etc.

Airflo is the main manufacturer doing this, none of the responsible ones
are. I would not even use an airflo line to tie up my tomatoes, ( if I had
any tomatoes!).

TL
MC

On Sun, 11 Apr 2004, Mike Connor wrote:

Airflo is the main manufacturer doing this, none of the responsible ones
are. I would not even use an airflo line to tie up my tomatoes, ( if I had
any tomatoes!).

Check out Sci Ang's web site

http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/sc...ro_tips2.jhtml

where they describe the GPX series as being heavier than "normal."

Among southern California surf fly fishers Airflo's integrated shooting
heads are very popular. They have the fastest sink rates per grain weight
and are consequently very effectinve at keeping the fly close to the
bottom in the surf. They also have a 5 year warranty against cracking and
have continued to improve their durability.

Mu

"Mu Young Lee" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
cc.itd.umich.edu...

SNIP).

Check out Sci Ang's web site

http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/sc...ro_tips2.jhtml

where they describe the GPX series as being heavier than "normal."

Among southern California surf fly fishers Airflo's integrated shooting
heads are very popular. They have the fastest sink rates per grain weight
and are consequently very effectinve at keeping the fly close to the
bottom in the surf. They also have a 5 year warranty against cracking and
have continued to improve their durability.

Mu

Seems fair enough. I don´t like Airflo. I could go into why not, but it
would not get us anywhere. If people like the lines, then I have no problem
with that.

It is unfortunate that manufacturers deviate from accepted standards on some
of these things, it makes the whole matter more complex. On the other hand,
if somebody does come up with a dveiation which is better per se, then that
is a good thing.

Simply making some lines heavier will indeed make them seem to cast better,
( or more easily at least) especially for beginners. However, a #4WF line
which weighs the same as a #6 WF line is a #6 line, and no longer a #4 line.
There is no point in having standards at all in such a case, and we might as
well use the pure intrinsic weight to describe lines.

You pays your money ................

TL
MC