New fly rod

[dbaker]

Well, I should say I have a new old fly rod. I visited my grandparents this weekend and my grandfather presented me with his old fly rod. Now I am 28 and I've never known him to fly fish. So even though this rod is quite old it has been used very little. I'm really excited to learn how to fly fish, now that I have the rod. The only thing I know about fly rods is that they come in weights like a 3 weight. How do I tell what weight this rod is?

[zen leecher aka Bill W]

If it's fiberglass it's probably a 7 weight as that's what most people used then.

[Marc Martyn]

Take a digital picture of the butt section near the grip, there should be some label on the rod. Then post the picture on the forum.

[dbaker]

Marc, I tried taking a picture but it wouldn't focus on writing that small. The rod says DRY FLY ACTION and underneath that AFTMA #6. The rod is 7'3". Is this rod a 6 weight? How big a fish can I fish for with this rod? Thanks for your help.

[Marc Martyn]

That rod is rated for #6 line. That would be big enough for most of the waters around here. Unless you are going for large Steelhead, it should be fine. In Alaska they use a #7 and up. I am attaching a PDF that explains the AFTMA ratings. Hope this helps.

[jmay]

I read about "AFTMA" once it is a dated and pretty complicated system based on a formula that calculates how many grain line a rod needs to cast 30 feet past the tip. Your rod reading "6" I beleive means it should cast a #6 line 30 feet. As I remember the system was based on number 1-15, and was later replaced by our current "weight" system I bet Marc knows for sure.

The weight and lenght would make a pretty good small river trout rod

[Marc Martyn]

I read about "AFTMA" once it is a dated and pretty complicated system based on a formula that calculates how many grain line a rod needs to cast 30 feet past the tip. Your rod reading "6" I beleive means it should cast a #6 line 30 feet. As I remember the system was based on number 1-15, and was later replaced by our current "weight" system I bet Marc knows for sure.

The weight and lenght would make a pretty good small river trout rod

:thumright Ah........those young minds and their memory. It has been so long since I have seen that rating system, I had to look it up again. You are right on Jmay!:salut:

Side Note:
The older fiberglass rods of past decades were built differently, ie. that the lighter the line, the shorter the rod. I have a Fenwick #605 (5 weight, 6' long) I used to use it on very small trout streams. When graphite came on the scene in the "80's", they were able to make a 9' rod that carried a #3 line. They were tagged "flea weight" rods because they were so light and had great strength. My little 605 is now a collectors item, in fact I think that mine was the last one sold in Spokane and that was in 1978. I bought it at the Two Swabbies Sports Cove from Steve.

[jmay]

Marc: Young minds....I only remember stuff that deal with hunting or fishing that was according to my parents when I was growing up. My avator photo is 15 years old, I don't have half the mind or body I did when that photo was shot.

Dbaker: With the words "Dry Fly Action" the rod is likely from the early to mid 60's. I remeber looking at some of my my grandpa's and dad's rods that had similar verbage from the era. Those rods where fiberglass.

[Marc Martyn]

Guess what, Jmay! Your eyes are going to be going next. When I was young I used to tie on a #18 Adams by moonlight. Now I need +3.50 reading glasses at high noon with one eye closed!:cyclopsan

[dbaker]

thanks for the info fellas. I can't wait to try it out. Now I need to practice.

[CraigVM62]

Kind of a side story about being given an old rod by grandparents.

I was in a sporting goods store in Colorado a few years back and could not help but overhear a conversation going on at the counter.

A young guy came in saying he needed to buy some fly line for a rod his Grandpa just gave him. The salesman asked the basic questions so to provide the young man with what he needed. The young guy had a confused look on his face for many of the questions. The young man then said "I have the rod in my truck, would it help if I brought it in" ? To which the salesman at the counter said yes. The young lad came back in and handed over the rod.
The sales clerk looked it over and said "You know these old bamboo rods used to sell for only 10 bucks back in their day .... and that was new. I tell you what, I will give you 10 bucks for it, and 10% off any new rod in the store. I just hate to see young fisherman like yourself trying to start off with equipment as outdated as this"

Standing next to me was another customer who looked to be in his 70's to 80's. He was also ease dropping and walked up to the counter and stated. " Wow, you don't see those poles much anymore. I had a couple, sold them on ebay for 20 times what my Dad paid for them when I was a kid. I guess people buy them just to hang over their fireplaces as decorations or something"

The young guy grabbed the rod back from the salesman and just said "No Thank You" and walked out.


God Bless Old Age and Honesty:cheers: