I just put new eyelets and cleaned up an ol' fly rod for a friend. The decals were all worn off when I started so the info I need was gone, it's a fiberglass 8 to 8 1/2 foot rod used for trout here in Pa. My problem is, what weight line should be put on this rod? I'll probably get a float'in line also.

Without seeing the rod it can be difficult to determine what wt line to use. Best way to determine what line wt to use would be to take it to a fly shop where they could help determine what would be the correct wt. If there are no fly shops close to you I would try a 5 wt line most trout rods were 4 or 5 wt, this is only a guess if the rod loads up ok then your good if the rod doesn't load up you have to try a heavier line. This can get very expensive since fly line can cost 29.00 to 80.00 a spool. Do you know any other fly rod owners? Perhaps you can borrow their reel and line to test your rod.

storyteller, you must be a lot younger than I am because when I was growing up, "HCH" was the most common size, that is a double tapered 8 wt. I did all of my fly rod trout fishing with that size rod. I am going to bet that 81/2 footer is heavier than a 5, 7or 8 is more likely. Going to a fly shop or working with other fly fishermen, very good ideas.

Posted By polebender on 09 Apr 2011 05:56 AM
I just put new eyelets and cleaned up an ol' fly rod for a friend. The decals were all worn off when I started so the info I need was gone, it's a fiberglass 8 to 8 1/2 foot rod used for trout here in Pa. My problem is, what weight line should be put on this rod? I'll probably get a float'in line also.

Sounds like it would most likely be a 7 or 8wt ??

Posted By retired-psg on 09 Apr 2011 01:36 PM

Posted By polebender on 09 Apr 2011 05:56 AM
I just put new eyelets and cleaned up an ol' fly rod for a friend. The decals were all worn off when I started so the info I need was gone, it's a fiberglass 8 to 8 1/2 foot rod used for trout here in Pa. My problem is, what weight line should be put on this rod? I'll probably get a float'in line also.

Sounds like it would most likely be a 7 or 8wt ??

Based on what? Just the length? My 8' rod is a 5/6 weight, my 9' is a 7.

Age and material.

Try this method. fly rod line weight test http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/ind...opic=15133

http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/ind...opic=15133">

That is one handy tool! thanks.. I knew the function of the weight of the line, but did not know how it was calculated. thanks.

Great tip rod tosser. I added that site to my favorites list just in case.

Yeah, that's interesting info. Thanks.