after a few days casting practice using 6 weight line i have been feeling as if the line is a bit heavy , now i'm not sure if it feels too heavy for the rod or me , i have to put some grunt in even to cast 40 foot and its hard work..

closer in i can pretty much be gentle but once i get over 30 foot it starts getting hard..

i got some 5 weight and its noticibly thinner and lighter than the 6 weight both lines WF..

should this line be easier on my arm/wrist to cast ? the rod stated 5/7 but its a cheapo from e bay with no markings on it ...

Dude,

Go with whatever feels good, casts well and makes a good presentation of the fly... The numbers are..... well....just numbers, ignore them

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

Are both the lines of same manufacture?
If the rod is 5/7, then 6 should be the business.
You could try different line weights to see which is best for both you and the rod. Plus seeing as you are new to fly fishing, it could be just a case of practice. You could even be trying too hard with the longer length of line.

Irrespective of whether you're using a #5 or #6 a 40 foot cast should be a near effortless affair. Are you roll casting this distance or overhead casting? What shape are your loops? If you could grab an hour with an instructor they'd have you nailing either cast without having to strain your wrist/arm

I'd have a good bet on a main problem being the rod mate. 5/7 tells the story.

You need to really try out some rod's and lines. You could do this either through an Instructor or at a shop that has ' try before buy ' facilities.

If your ever up this way i've a few rod's etc i'd be happy to let you loose on

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thanks chaps , i will see what happens tmoz with the #5 ...

It would be great if a forum member in your area could link up with you Billy... just to give you a shove in the right direction . This whole 'is my rod loading' thing ends up getting expensive when you are learning because the most of it will be down to technique. Is there anyone where you fish that could lend a hand?

All the best

DN

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

not sure of anyone local .. I know technique is a big factor and i'm not saying it's not due to this

Thing that got me thinking is when im practicing it's all too obvious when i have not done it quite right , even slight variations on a "good " cast show up .. Even when i'm doing the "good" casting there seems to be too much effort needs putting in to get the line to propel forward with what seems enough force to lay the line. As i say the line feels physically too heavy for the rod whilst in mid cast..

I have watched many vids and looking at it the rods seem so light in peoples hands, the casting actions seem mostly technique and not so much force, im having to use force at any distance over say 25/30 of line off the tip.

i have bought some #5 line and will see how that feels tomoz.
my kit is all cheapo stuff till i knew if i was going to get into it so this won't be helping .. the rod states 5/7 on the e bay ad but nothing on rod so this could be anything £17.00 posted says pretty much it all ..

i have a sneaky feeling the line change is going to solve the prob .. it's hard to explain exactly the feel when casting . i have had rods in hand since around 10 years old so it's not a case of its just awkward holding a rod. or maybe im just getting weak in my old age

IMHO there's too many variables in fly casting to start with. This one is easily knocked out; bin the rod and get something in your hands that you can guage. If you don't you'll spend more money trying to find the best line than the rod's worth. Stick it back on ebay for £15 posted and move on.

Well sound advice that,a rod rated 5/7 is basically useless and like brifly just stated your be throwing good money away trying to find a line that comes anywhere near to suiting it.At most fly rods should only have a dual rating ie 5/6 6/7 etc and the better ones ( a pinch of salt ) a single rating.Take brifly's advice sell the rod and at least get one with a dual rating,don't forget even if you found a floater to match it you then have the headache of matching it to sinkers.
Their are a few members on here from around your area who can offer advice or maybe take you out for a days fishing,failing that seek qualified help

Neil