Hi Jonty.

I've never tried to cast a lighter line on a heavier rod weighting but I'd expect that it will be more difficult to load the rod unless you aerialise a lot of line. It may also be difficult to support heavier flies during casting than it would be with an 8 or 9 wt line on a 8 wt rod.

Most rods will support a line weight heavier, in fact from what I understand some rods will perform better with a size heavier line depending on the caster. Or even two if your only using 20 m's of line or so.

I'm having a problem getting much distance or loop form from my six weight combo at the moment with heavier nymphs so am going to experiment with a 8 wt line to see if that helps.

Other guys on here will be more qualified to advise on you your question but as long as your casting well within your capabilities it will probably go ok as a temporary set up but if your wanting to cast to the end of your range or looking at setting up a fishing combo your going to fish with often then go an 8 or 9 wt. 

Cheers

Toby

Hi Jonty,

I agree with Toby, the norm is to have a line weight at least 1 weight heavier than the rod, I find that  [for me anyway] is the best suited for my casting, I can manage to use the bombs with 1 weight heavier, Cicadia or Clark might be better qualified for a more professional answer, we will have to see if they make a coment

Neil

Hi Jonty,

This is a tough question to give a definitive answer to. There are so many variances in rod ratings and line ratings that the short answer is that you are not really going to know until you try it.

But the basic rule is start with the line rating as marked on the rod. If you are making mostly short casts you may be happy with a heavier line that will load your rod better. If you are aerealising a lot of line for long presentation casts then you may want a lighter line. If you are making long casts with little aerialising but lots of shooting then use the rated line or even one heavier.

Most graphite rods can handle a line at least one weight heavier or lighter than the rod rating, it is very much a matter of personal choice. A year or so ago I got to the river and discovered that I had forgot my 4wt line but packed my 7wt in error. I still managed to cast a reasonable line on the 4wt rod by aerealising a small amount of line, generating high line speed and shooting the rest. This saved the day. On another occassion I forgot my fly rod but had a spinning rod in the car. I managed to cast my 7wt line 15 metres with the spinning rod - weird action though!

Experiment if you get the chance - it's good fun.

Here's what the best rod makers in the world say...

"Can I use a heavier or lighter line than recommended for the rod?

We have carefully designed the rods to balance with the recommended line weight. For maximum performance, we suggest that you use the appropriate line weight. But it is possible to line up a rod by one size to load the rod more quickly and giving you more feeling with less line out. The downfall is that you may lose performance at longer distances. It's up to you."

I love this site - and my Sage SP8+ - the Big Bertha of fly rods - w**k, w**k.

Seriously though the casting analyser looks pretty cool - hope a dealer in NZ gets one!

http://www.sageflyfish.com/default.asp?p=56">http://www.sageflyfish.com/default.asp?p=56

The casting analyser is coming to NZ I am told by the sage distributors here and will be based in Auckland.

The advice given is pretty good. one line down will work, if you have a lot of line out... short line it will be tough to load. I use the designated line for the rod in 99% of cases. It doesn't hurt to have one line weight up but I believe many anglers do this to get feel rather perfect their timing and so, in the long term, sacrifice their own casting improvment. It's a personal choice.

The experiment comment is a real good one because at the end of the day if you try something and it works for you who the heck is anyone to say it's wrong... give it a go and see what you think....

Clark

I saw the Casting Analyser in Tisdalls (I think?) on Queen Street in Auckland

Wondered what it was at the time but didnt pay much attention

Just walked down to Tisdalls Queen St and booked myself in for a go on the analyser! Process is that they take you up into Albert park for a quick cast of the analyser (XP and reel attached to Palm Pilot) for around 20 mins and then you get your print out back at the shop. Sounds like a good skive off for an hour.

It is available for bookings from the 19th June.

Apparently if your casting does not compare well to the ideal cast - you get told on the print out to take up knitting instead.

Just to continue this thread into casting a little more.

Is there casting tuition avaiable in NZ. I'd be keen on getting some tuition especially on casting heavier flies and some asistance learning to haul correctly. If there was such service available ?

Anyone know of anyone ? I live in Taranki BTW but am in Wellington frequently and Auckland occasionally.

Cheers

Toby

I know that Peter Scott at Tisdalls Auckland offers this service.

Jonty

take a look at this site

http://www.nzffacademy.com">www.nzffacademy.com

this is Peter Scott and Yoshi's site who offer all sorts of thing - well worth a look

DD

Hi Toby

Peter is a great guy and a godd instructor but  thought I'd also point out...

I offer this service, maybe you could give me a call to discuss it. I have 26 years of casting tuition experience and absoluutely guarantee my results. If your casting doesn't improve noticibly from a session i won't charge you a thing!

If you don't still have my number it's 0274360968

Clark

Cool Clark..... I'll be in touch.

Rgds

Toby

Quote: Originally posted by red_xsi on 04 June 2006

What is a lesson worth Clark?

It's really dependant on when, where and what you want achieve. I get to Auckland reasonably regularly although haven't been up for a few weeks, but am due in the big smoke shortly. Best is to PM me or ring me and let me know what you want to do etc and I'll give you a price from there.

Herring is correct in that there is a mix of quality instructors in Auckland but time in itself is not a factor. I know many people who have only fished for a few years who are better casters and have a better understanding of tuition, casting dynamics and fault correction than some who have fished for 50; it's like everything in life. New Zealand casters, I hate to say, are by international standards, pretty poor, most especially on the North Island where the sport is dominated by lead throwing. Even then the gentle art of lead throwing can be vastly improved with a proper understanding of rod function, casting dynamics etc all of which takes about 15 minutes to demonstrate. Any casting lesson should not really need to progress much more than one hour in any but the most extreme cases, but should be followed by several hours over a couple of weeks of practice (not while fishing) following the principles taught. Bearing that in mind, a lesson is not a real expensive proposition for anyone, and in most all cases will advance most casters well beyond their current level.

Clark