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Walter & Group.....
Bruce Richards weighs in on the subject of duel ratings :
Dual ratings, what a bad idea! They have caused more confusion over the years than about anything else.
Rods - In my opinion, companies that dual rated were usually trying to broaden market appeal by selling a "more versatile" rod, but of course the rod is still just a single rod and no more versatile than any other. The DT vs. WF question is really not valid either. Most WF lines have heads of 40 ft. or more these days, which means there is no difference between the weight of a DT and WF line until cast lengths of 50 ft. or more are reached (40 ft. of head, plus leader). For all rods where a DT line is likely to be used, 6 wt.s and lighter, 50 ft. casts are very unusual.
So, a 5/6 rod, if properly rated, is going to be a bit faster with a 5 wt. line, slower with a 6, that's all.
The only dual rated lines I've seen in quite a while are mainly spey lines. Since many spey rods are dual rated I guess it makes the same amount of sense to dual rate lines, which is no sense at all, of course. I worked hard to get rid of all dual rating while at SA, with some success. To me, it makes much more sense to simply call a "5/6" rod or line a 5.5 wt. and be done with it. And even that makes little sense, there is no need to do that, the current line weights are close enough that a rod or line that falls halfway between isn't enough different that most people can even notice.
I wish I had a nickel for every minute of time I've spent on this subject over the last 30 years! *
Bruce
* MODERN FLY LINES by Bruce Richards, pp. 91-94
[GH] I strongly recommend reading this reference. On these pages, Bruce offers an alternative method of rating which makes sense to me.
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From Ally Gowans :
Hi Gordy,
I hesitated before mentioning this episode. Last week I took a guy pike fishing using float tubes. Many of my rods are in identical tubes apart from the rod designation that is scribbled on the end of the tube and the rods themselves are of the same series and look practically identical. My eyes are not as good as they once were and I fished half the day and cast well using a #10 shooting head on a rod rated #7 (which I had mistaken for a #9 rod). My casting deteriorated when I changed to a larger weighted fly and then I noticed the rod rating! Goes back to line size should be determined by fly size and find a rod that pleases you! I wrote an article about the then AFTM standards being abused and confusing a few years ago and concluded it with :-
“Meantime the best way to ensure satisfaction is for you to try the combination of rod and line for yourself, if it balances and fishes nicely it is correct regardless of the number on the box.”
Best wishes,
Ally Gowans
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[GH] Ally,
Up to now, I have neglected to emphasize the fact that fly size (weight and bulk) will go a long way in determining the best match between line and fly rod !
So now we have some important factors which determine the best match between line and rod :
1. The fishing circumstances.
2. The fish.
3. The casting challengers.
4. Fly size & weight.
5. Rod action
6. The caster.
7. The manufacturer's printed line and rod designations.
I gave some thought to an exercise whereby we have members respond with this list in order of importance. Suddenly the "short answer" came to me .
Short Answer : "It depends". (A past script from Dennis Grant.)
For the expert caster, I'd have rated No. 7 as least important.
For the new caster, I'd place it as NO 1.
Imperfect as our present rating system may be, it serves two purposes :
A. It is easy to understand.
B. It is an approximation which works for new and inexpert fly fishers. A "baseline" of reference from which seasoned casters can depart in order to solve the circumstances and challenges of real World fly fishing.
Anyone who can join me in having fished for years with the pre 1961 fly line and fly rod designations used during the 1930's and '40's when I remained chronically confused over this will agree.
It seems that duel and triple ratings, while they may make sense to some, also serve to confuse many fly fishers, thus thwarting the original intent to simplify for the average fly fisher.
Gordy
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From Jerry Puckett :
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