BigBendFishing.Net

If I buy a nine weight fly rod should I put nine or ten weight line on it? Someone told me today that ten would be a better option and I have no clue. I have six weight line on my six weight rod now. What's the deal? Also I heard to use braided line for backing? I have been out of the fly fishing loop for a few years.

I just bought a new 8 wt and put a reel with 8 wt line on it....tried it this past Sat and don't know but what I like my old seven better...throwing clousers and fairly heavy flys..just my opinion..I sure don't think I need anything around the flats heavy as a nine wt..

It really depends on your rod and skill. To keep it simple...... If you have a "fast rod" with the flex point near the tip then overlining will help you feel the rod load with less line out. "Slower" rods have the flex point closer to the mid section and therefore the rod loads easier. If your a beginner i'd go with Scientific Anglers "Head Start" series of lines in the weight of your rod. I think it's around $35, it will help you feel the rod load and overtime you"ll develop the timing. I've never been a big fan of most of their speciality lines, ie the Bonefish taper but the Head Start line is an excellent line for people new to the sport. Just remember your throwing the line and not the fly. As far as backing I just use Dacron 20lb for less than an 10wt. If you do decide to use something like powerpro go with at least 65lb your fingers will thank you for it if you ever hook a fish that gets into your backing

what he^said. I would stick to the rod weight in a fly line for now. Some folks over line a rod by one weight but I don't think it is a good idea. It could teach you some bad habits.

Flint River Pirate wrote:If I buy a nine weight fly rod should I put nine or ten weight line on it? Someone told me today that ten would be a better option and I have no clue. I have six weight line on my six weight rod now. What's the deal? Also I heard to use braided line for backing? I have been out of the fly fishing loop for a few years.

I would stick with an 8 for an all around rod. And don't worry about using braid for backing, your leader will snap long before you would ever get close to needing braids strength.