Generally speaking... the AFTM of a line is calculated in the first 10 yards (whatever profile - excluding the tip) - Or am I wrong?

How does the AFTM rating for a spey line differ?

__________________
Time is a stream I go fishing in.

The means of rating fly rods to lines (or vice versa!) has been in a state of confusion for as long as I can remember and the 'system' in existence prior to the that of the AFTMA, even more so.

My understanding regarding the first 30 feet of line mass, however, is that it excludes any parallel tip length. I don't use Spey lines but have a look at the article at this link: http://www.letsflyfish.com/aftmprobs.htm The second page goes into some detail about the inconsistencies regarding the rating of Spey lines so it may offer some enlightenment.

Bear in mind that the article was written in 2003, prior to the 'proposed new system'. Was a new system ever introduced? Unfortunately, I've no idea - I don't really keep pace with tackle developments (I'm still using cane and silk!).

Thanks for that, the article is very well written and exposes a few problems.

Ta V much

__________________
Time is a stream I go fishing in.

Have a look at this post - it may help. All I will say is that if you pick a double handed 8 weight salmon rod then make sure it's a salmon line you buy to match it - absolutely not a WF8 trout line.

AFFTA approved spey line weight standards table

A deeply shocking expose of AFTM abuse that is certainly going to give me some sleepless nights. Somebody HAS to stop these people or this is going to lead to the end of fly fishing as we know it!

Andy

__________________
GAIC Single Handed Casting Instructor

http://www.andygreyfishing.com/

Well... it made me put the kettle on.

__________________
Time is a stream I go fishing in.

Just to let you know the extremes here is a like for like comparison:

a Rio Shagit 7/8 line: 27ft long and weighs 450 grains.

Normal AFTM 14 27ft long weighs 450 grains.

The idea that the first 30ft of line constitutes the ideal length of line to load a trout rod has never been the case with salmon fishing even before the new lines came out.

For salmon fishing the rating for the rod was never based on 30feet. Instead it was based on the amount of DT line beyond the tip that a reasonable caster could handle. When I first started salmon fishing I used a traditional Greys Keilder AFTM 10 rod and double taper line. This combination worked best for me with approx 70ft of line beyond the tip of the rod.

I would agree that salmon lines are not the same at all as trout lines - a weight forward profile might make a shooting head but due to the length of line needed to 'activate' the rod properly for spey casting, the running line hasn't got the wherewithall weightwise to 'carry' the heavier head in a spey cast. I reckon you just have to experiment with lines till you find the best one for your rod, and I personally stick mainly to a double taper of the appropriate rating which allows extension or shortening to suit your rod/technique. That said, I still reckon Michael Evens Arrowhead - maybe because it makes my rod do the business.

[QUOTE=Endrick;1017671]

a Rio Shagit 7/8 line: 27ft long and weighs 450 grains.

Normal AFTM 14 27ft long weighs 450 grains.

QUOTE]


Blimey !

__________________
Time is a stream I go fishing in.

DN
should be a couple of lines on your doorstep tommorrow,finally got to the PO lunch time today

__________________
Andy Wren
Winter grayling taking a year off !
Claret not just a great dubbing colour!