Hello All


New to the forums, apart from posting in "Introductions", so please correct me if there is a more suitable place for my wet-behind-the-ears drivel...

Anyway, I have a couple of reels that I bought used and they both had line already on. Both have backing, fly line and leader. My questions are:

Is there an easy way to tell fly lines apart? They have different lines on but as yet I have no idea of the spec of each. I wondered if perhaps there was a universal colour code or something to determine spec.

The liine seems ok, but would you just rip it all off and start again? It just seems a bit of a waste, but I guess it is what I would do with my trotting reels, just fly line is a lot more expensive!

I'm just being tight aren't I?

Line weight may be an issue (suck it and see) post some pictures - someone may well be able to identify a possible brand from shade and colour.... maybe.

__________________
Time is a stream I go fishing in.

Good idea, thanks!

Pics to follow!

Did you buy the reels/line together with a rod? If not there is a good chance that they will not match your rod. You dont have to spend a fortune to replace them. Pitsford pirate lines on this web site are a good purchase.

The things that come to mind in identifying the lines are, in a very non scientific way;
Drop the lines in some water to see if they float, sink slowly, sink fast etc. Unfortunately, colours vary, there is no standard. Floaters can be just about any colour, I've had orange, white, light green and yellow. Intermediates (slow sinking lines) are often blue, faster sinking lines are often a progressive darker green colour depending on their sink rate, turning brown for fast sinkers.
Weigh the first 10 yards of the line and check on this website to find the AFTM rating;
AFTM Table
Compare the taper (how the line thickens up and thins down across is length) against this web site, to see if you have a WF or DT line.
Choosing the Right Fly Line


To be honest, I'd just bin them and replace the backing, lines and leader!

Don't bin them yet! You can probably get a rough idea of the line weights from the reels they are on. Most reels are marked with the line weight they are designed for -- 3/4, 5/6 etc. Then, if they might be suitable, stick them on your rod and have a chuck. Do this on water and you will also find out if they float or sink (and if they sink, how quickly) which will give you a rough guide to the densities. It would be a shame to throw them away if you can use them.
Cheers,
Angus

Wow, it took me a little while to figure the pictures out!

Here they are, probably kind of irrelevent now I have seen the new replies.

Thanks for the help chaps, in particular, those links will be most useful!