looking round i see for instance 4/5 # from one supplier yet only a 4# or a 5# from another supplier but of the same manufacturer and rod model . will the manufacturers make say a 4/5 and a 4 and a 5 # ?

Which Rods and Manufacturer?

If you are looking at Shakespeare Odyssey the older models (Odyssey) seem to dual rated rods, where as the newer (Odyssey XT) seem to be single rated.

Rods will cast a range of lines, depending on the person doing th e casting.

A 5wt rod is designed to load with 10 yards of 5wt line which is the average cast so to speak.

if you are only casting 5 yards, to load the rod you need to use a heavier line.

If you are casting 25 yards every cast you use a lighter line.

On a dual or trio rated rod if you are regulary casting 15 yards plus, use the lighter line but be aware at close range casting will be difficult as the rod isn't loading properly and vice versa for short casts, where the heavier line will overload the rod on longer casts.

__________________
Just My Tuppenceworth!!

Almost any fly rod will cast up or down at least one line weight from the rating specified by the manufacturer. As an example, a 5-weight fly rod is capable of casting either a 4-weight or a 6-weight line. However, the "when" of using these alternatives must await the discussion of the fly cast. So what does it mean when a manufacturer "dual" rates a rod 5/6 or 7/8? Using the 5/6 as an example, the dual rating usually means the rod does best with a 5-weight double-taper (DT-5F) line or a 6-weight (WF-6F) line. At least one manufacturer rates their rods suggesting the lighter weight for distance and the heavier weight for close-in work. For now, the point to be made is simply this: most fly rods can and will cast more than one line weight.

BK

cheers for that , @ djm yes the oddessy , i noticed the newer single rating versions were the XT , that must be it ...

just curious


cheers


billy

Mojha
This is one of the biggest can of worms in fly fishing!

I will say that the numbers on the rod are only a guide. You will have to make up your own mind as to what is the best line on the rod for you. The guy who rates the rod doesn't know if you are:

• a 90 year old first time caster or
• a discus thrower who has been fly fishing since boyhood or
• a river fisherman who never has more than 20 feet of line out the tip ring or
• a sea trout fisherman who is casting weighted flies

You get the picture!
It's his best guess.
So I have a 6/7 weight rod that I use with lines from 6 to 9. "Why a 9" you may ask? Well some of my fishing is very short casting on a small salmon river with heavy flies - but only short distances and a heavy line handles the weighted flies better than the lighter lines. For the distances I am casting on that river it is the perfect combination.

Some rods are intended for particular roles. The TCR 5 weight can carry 80 feet of very long belly 5 weight line and then shoot 30 feet or more. It's an out and out distance casting rod rated 5. Some people would use that rod with 6, 7 or even 8 weight lines for normal fishing.

So coming back to what I first said - it's a guide and you make up your own mind as to what's best for you and the purpose you want to put the rod to.

One of the greatest of all fly fishermen was a guy called Arthur Cove. He used to fish long distance nymphs. He used a 5 weight double taper line on a 7/8 weight rod as that allowed him to lift 20 yards of line then re- cast to a cruising fish.

I had some good results last week with next to no room behind with an oddy 5/6 fished with a WF8F.

Delicate landings were not required, did the job a treat though.

I have a rod rated #4-7

An older Daiwa model?

Spot on, Whisker Kevlar. Still going strong.