Evening all.
I have just been given a fly rod by a neighbour, the rod has never been used and has been in his garage for a couple of years. On the rod the line weight says 7/9. what would be the best line weight.The rod i use at the moment has just 1 line rating at #7. Is this multi rating a common thing or just something put on the lower end rods.
Brian.

All rods, to a degree, are capable of being used with more than one weight of line. 7/9? probably ideal for using an 8 wt in 'normal' conditions. Need to cast a long line and keep a lot of line in the air? Use a 7wt. Casting short distances and need to load the rod quickly? Use a 9wt. These things aren't cast in stone - try a range of lines and see what suits.

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I totally agree with this. If you are fishing dries from a boat (i.e. with the wind behind you) fishing a line weight lower or a #7 in this case can aid presentation. Short line work on small rivers can require a heavy line to load the rod at close range.

Thanks for the replies , whats been said makes sense. i have tried the rod with a #7wf and the distance is a lot shorter compared to my #7 weight rod.not by much but enough to notice. The rod was free so investing in a reel and line at #8 gives me another set up at a cheap price. Thanks again guys.
Brian.

In theory, a #7 rod should be able to take a dt7, a wf8 & an st9. Very often blank/rod makers under-rate their products by a line rating to, I gather prevent potential over-load.

Line makers use the a.f.t.m standard, which was set many years ago as the international industry standard. As we know, not all makers stick to these standards & it's not difficult to find lines that are dual rated. Some anglers/reviewers say that make a. feels lighter than make b etc. They should both be identical weights for the first 30ft. What varies is the weight distribution in that 30 ft with different tapers & the height at which they float as well as their surface finish & it's water holding/repellant ability.