YET ANOTHER QUESTION - Apologies for My Hyper-Activity Today

[Hegel]

On another thread I asked about fly line; if there was some consensus on which were good 5 wt. floating lines with really low memory. There were a number of positive responses about Cortland 444 line. Cool! However, after studying the 444 line for a few minutes, I've generated yet another annoying question:

How many of you out there 'line-up'? I mean, how many of you out there throw the next higher line weight on your rod (a 6wt line on a 5wt, etc.)?

Down here in the salt a number of guys do this. Insofar as we are often just trying to cover a lot of water down here and presentation doesn't matter all that much (indeed, sometimes a bit of a splash will get a blue's attention), it doesn't seem to hurt.

In fact, I do it, despite knowing that someone as talented as Lefty Kreh says lining-up is something poor casters do to make up for a bad technique. :oops:

In my case, this may be true - I don't know. I do feel like the 9wt. line on the 8 wt. rod packs more punch than did an 8 wt. line.

But, does it make sense to line-up in fresh water? My intuition is no. But, lo and behold, Cortland now makes a new "444 Precision Tapers" which comes in, get this, HALF-Weights!!! :shock: You can get, for instance, a 5.5 wt. line.

This can only be for lining-up (even if only a half wt). My question: Why do this? What are the benefits? Does faster rod = heavier line? If I line up in the salt ought I do it in fresh water too?

Input / advice / tranquilizers / thoughts / ideas / anecdotes / data would be heartily welcomed, appreciated, and enjoyed!!!!

-Hegel-

[fessiewig]

Nope. Never have.

[Steve H.]

I'm currently "uplined" with my 8'6" 5-wt Loomis IMX. I fish a Cortland 444 6-wt double-taper. (I also fish a Teeny T200 which is a very heavy load for a 5-wt, but the Loomis kicks a$$ with this too.)

Admittedly, the IMX is a super-fast rod which probably makes a difference. I feel I can cast larger streamers and heavier nymphs with the 6-wt line.

[PW]

I have a couple rods I over line 1wt. It decently helps me to cast better! I never had an formal casting lessons and would get laughed at by any formal casting perfectionists. I wouldn't worry about what Left says if it works for you and you catch fish who cares.

[Steamtrain]

lining up is no big deal

just don't tell me how great your rod is overlined

rio and sa and most of the other line companies have lines that are on the high weight range of the scale
sa - gpx
rio - grande

cortland just put a number on it

[OTTER]

Who cares what Lefty Kreh or anybody else says? In the course of the past 60 years of using a fly rod, I have accumulted 15 rods ranging from a Sage 5"6" for 5 inch native brookies to 9 foot 8 weight for stripers. I was stuck on a family trip with only that Sage stashed in the trunk. (I don't go anywhere unless I have one of my toys along.) We stopped briefly by the Androscoggin River. I hooked, landed and released to swim away, the biggest rainbow trout of my NH life.

I line up ( seldom down) depending on the size of the water and the length of casting I will need. For example, I may use an 8 ft 4 weight which might be OK on a small pond with modest size brookies, such as Stonehouse Pond in Barrington. If I use that same rod on an " average" stream requiring shorter casts, I may use a 5 wt line. If I use it on a much smaller stream, I might put on a 6 wt so the rod is sufficiently " loaded" on short casts. The smaller the stream, generally, the shorter the rod and the shorter the leader. Wind is a factor in the decision also. Whatever works for me is all I care about.

Of course I don't do much casting like you younger guys. I don't have time for that. I keep my fly in the water 95% of the time. I was told decades ago, that the fish can't find the fly while it is in the air.

Actually, I have rigged up an enclosed rod holder inside my van so I have several rods all rigged and ready to go, depending on where I find
myself ( or water I am near on trips dictated by other family members.)

[TGIF]

Hey Hegel,

First of all, my recomendation for line is to stick with RIO, I have never had a bad thing to say, it'll hold up longer then most and I have never had a issue.

I have found that cortland, either 444 or 555 doesn't hold up. I was really disappointed with it, when my 555 cracked about 20 feet into the line. I know that I am hard on equipment, but for 50 bucks or more, it should hold up.

As for lining up, it is definately a preference thing, but you should consider what th rod will be used for. Most people do it on Salt Equipment, because it allows your stroke to be slower, while carrying more of a wallop. I was taught that if you're going to be throwing larger flies, ie. 4/0 clousers with an 8 weight, that 9 weight line would slow the stroke but carry the fly, and also minimize any snapping.

Just my thoughts, good luck.

[Flyfish99]

Depends on the rod and the water I'm fishing. I have a couple of Orvis Rods and a couple of Sages athat form the nucleus of my "arsenal". I have found through trial and error, that the Sages cast better with a WF one wiegt heavier than spec, while the Orvis rods seem to prefer a DT of the factory spec weight. I also often use a 4 wt TFO that works well with a spec line, but for very small streams, works much better with a 5 wt.

I general, overlining will load the rod better for very short casts, but may hurt distance casting. Many rods seem to work well with a DT to spec wt and a WF one wt heavier.

[overmywaders]

What is "overlining" after all? The manufacturer doesn't tell you how he determines the line weight for his rods -- he may have some lad who is great at double-hauling use a 3wt on what you or I consider a 5wt..

Now, I know you can use the "Common Cents System" or half a dozen other methods to arrive at a line weight, but none of that factors in your own casting style, or, in my case lack of style. (BTW, PW is a fine caster. I've seen him use a cane rod with panache. )

So, IMHO, whatever line feels best for you under the conditions of the day is the right line. (Insert loud "Harrumph!")