Now I'm over here in Ireland, getting in the fly fishing. Looking at some UK catalogs it talks about line grains. I usually just matched up my line with the rod weight. Just wondering what is is?? anyone with some insight. Cheers!

Headshakes,

Lines are weighed in grains, gun powder grains. It all can be very confusing and highly technical. I would suggest looking at the cortland line website as I believe it talks about the system of line weights and what it all means. If not them, try SA.

William

I belive gains are a what of measuring sink rate of lines.

Here is some more info from Cortland


"All fly lines are rated at 30'.


Example: A DT-6-F. WF-6-S and a WF-6 F, at 30', weigh the same.

When you have 15' of fly line out the tip of the rod, using a WF-6 line, you only are casting approx. a 3 wt. line.

AFTMA Fly Line Standards

Weight Size (grains) Tolerance AFTMA (the former American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association- now the ASA- American Sportfishing Association) Fly Line Standards were developed to help fly fishing tackle manufacturers create a system that would match fly line weight to fly rod performance. Cortland Line Company’s Leon Chandler was instrumental in initiating and completing the project. In theory this would standardize fly tackle manufacturing across the industry and enable fly fishers to select and balance their equipment for optimum performance.

The system uses the weight in grains (a very small weight measure) of the first 30 feet of fly line as a standard. The table below shows fly line weight designations and their grain weight. The system also established a tolerance level that is acceptable.

CORTLAND LINE COMPANY ADHERES TO AFTMA STANDARDS!

Beware of over-weighted lines that give you a false sense of fly line and rod performance.

1 60 54-66
2 80 74-86
3 100 94-106
4 120 114-126
5 140 134-146
6 160 152-168
7 185 177-193
8 210 202-218
9 240 230-250
10 280 270-290
11 330 318-342
12 380 368-392

Courtesy of Cortland Line Co.

Sinking lines


Density of sinking lines are measure in rate/second in inches.

Sinking lines and floating line - of the same line rating - weigh the same.

TYPE CHARACTER SINK RATE (inch/second)
1 slow (intermediate) 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 ips
2 fast 2 1/2 - 3 ips
3 extra fast 3 1/2 - 4 ips
4 super sinker 4 1/4 - 5 ips
5 super fast 5 1/4 - 6 ips
6 extra super sinker 6 1/4 - 7 ips

Courtesy Cortland line Co.

Shooting heads.


These lines are generally 30' in length. They can be of various constructions, Floating, Sinking, Floating with a sink tip, Measured in Grains for sinking rates.

All the above is true .... unless the word 'spey' or '2-hander' is in the question. In the world of spey rods/lines there is ZERO consistency. There will be a 'general recommendation' on line/rod weight, but that's about as far as it goes.

RIO has come about as close to leveling out the playing field with their lines on a given rod. Their web site covers the bulk of spey rods built and their (lines) recommendations. To make it more interesting .. theirs actually two sets of recommendations: for good casters and 'middle ground/beginners.'

Then you throw in all the other line manufactures .. and 'you pays your money and you takes your pick.' All very good reasons to go to a 'spey 'clave/days' so you can test rods and lines before you purchase.

A good rod, a 'so-so' reel and one line could easily cost you well over $1.000 (no kidding!)

Freds right!

Even if the line in the box says it weight, they take a average weight of the line.
Two lines that are the same will weight differently every time

R B Meiser Rods (some of the finest spey rods you can buy) is now taking a whole new 'tack' on the subject. Bob is starting to indicate on his rods the (spread) of grain weights that the rod works best.

So instead of a 8/9 (or what-ever) it will say 550-700 grains. The grain wts for almost all spey lines are well known now so you pick what kind on line you want from within the recommendation. The only exception to this is the 'new' Carron spey line (and it's a true hummer of a dry line) which actually follows the AFTMA requirements (grain wt for first 30 foot of line).

But where this gets you into 'trouble' is their 10-11 would actually match up with most 8 or 9 wt spey fast action spey rods.

Think Bob may have the answer.

I can’t believe I’m say this but Fred’s right again. I been doing some fun work with rods (Bob’s) and his new system give me a good starting point. We were talking about this at Speybum’s shop this morning. It was great talk about this it sure helps out the normal guy with his tackle. No real guess work. Oh buy the way Fred I’ve been working with “The Fred Evans Special” I got some line choices for ya. I’ll send them to Bob first part of next week.

"Oh buy the way Fred I’ve been working with “The Fred Evans Special” I got some line choices for ya. I’ll send them to Bob first part of next week."

COOL! Send me a e mail too. Miez's has a new one out (just a proto?) that's one line system up from the fes. Grass casting same a week or so ago with the 10-11 Carron line.

Immediately named it the 'fesx,' as in the fred evans special-Xtream. Beautiful rod for winter work!!!

Pant, pant .... I WANT IT!!!!!

Can't wait for the new rod!

You got it Fred I send you a copy of the lines.