How to Select Fly Lines for Single/Two-handed Fly Rod? AFTMA & AFFTA

2 June, 2012

(I forgot to migrate this article from my old blog)

Many people are confused by the unique match making system for fly rod and fly line, but all forget the simple fact: fly rod is engineered to cast the head of fly line. That’s it. All you need is to match the weight of head of fly line to the power of rod.

In lure fihing, it is common practice to keep in mind how much weight your rod can handle, so it is pretty much the same for fly rod. If the weight of head exceeds your rod? Just snipp it off until it is the correct weight to fit within your rod’s spec. Or take the chance and see what happens. Every rod has a buffer for 30-50 grains higher or lower.

1. Single-Handed Fly Rod (AFTMA chart)

In single-handed fly rod, line weight is always measured at the first 30 feet which is the head of fly line. It is quite simple one-to-one chart between your single-handed fly rod and fly lines made ready for it. You probably don’t even have to remember the grain/gram part, if you’re only fishing in river for normal circumstances.

Number Designation	Grain Weight	Margin for Error	Gram Weight
1-Weight	60	54-66	3.9
2-Weight	80	74-86	5.2
3-Weight	100	94-106	6.5
4-Weight	120	114-126	7.8
5-Weight	140	134-146	9.1
6-Weight	160	152-168	10.4
7-Weight	185	177-193	12.0
8-Weight	210	202-218	13.6
9-Weight	240	230-250	15.6
10-Weight	280	270-290	18.1
11-Weight	330	318-342	21.4
12-Weight	380	368-392	24.6
13-Weight	450		29.2
14-Weight	500		32.4
15-Weight	550		35.6

However, when step your foot into hard games in which you need to use sinktip or heavy fly, you should keep it in mind so that you can rig the whole thing from fly to your fly line in correct weight. And you cast with ease.

2. Two-Handed Fly Rod (AFFTA chart)

When you walk into the world of two-handed fly rod from ordinary single hand background, you will be lost in confusion over selecting right fly line. First clue is to know how much weight your rod is engineered to allow. Then use below chart as guideline to select the correct fly line of your choice.

Type of Line	Shooting Head	Short Belly	Medium Belly	Long Belly
Length of Belly	30-50′	50-60′	60-70′	70′+
Weight Measured at	40′	55′	65′	80′
6wt	250 grain/16.2g	420 grain/27.3g	460 grain/29.9g	600 grain / 39.0g
7wt	300 grain/19.5g	470 grain/30.5g	510 grain/33.1g	650 grain/39.0g
8wt	360 grain/23.4g	530 grain/34.4g	570 grain/37.0g	710 grain/46.1g
9wt	430 grain/27.9g	600 grain/39.0g	640 grain/41.6g	780 grain/50.6g
10wt	510 grain/33.1g	680 grain/44.2g	720 grain/46.8g	860 grain/55.8g
11wt	600 grain/39.0g	770 grain/50.0g	810 grain/52.6g	950 grain/61.7g
12wt	700 grain/45.5g	870 grain/56.5g	910 grain/59.1g	1050 grain/68.2g

If you have two-handed rod designed to take 8wt spey line with medium belly, then your rod is probably 570 grain. You can select 10/11wt shooting head to make the match.

American Fly Fishing Trade Association
http://www.affta.com/

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