Anyone tell me how to determine this Fly Rod wt?

[Leftridge]

I picked up a few old robs from my FIL and want to start fishing again. Left all my fly stuff up at Bear Camp last year.

This rod is in the best shape. 7ft, but no markings. Seems like it's very slow action.

Will be fishing for sandies and crappie. But don't know if it can take 5wt line.

Anyone help me out?

[gatorgrizz27]

If it's an older rod and a slow action, it's likely fiberglass. Try posting of fiberglassflyflyrodders.com and see if anyone recognizes the rod, but it looks like it might be home built from a blank.

The nice thing about fiberglass rods is that they are versatile with line weights. If a 5wt line is heavy enough to throw the flies you want to use, and you're casting far enough to load the rod properly, it will work just fine. They aren't like rifles where you HAVE to use the right ammunition.

Ex: if you're throwing size 10/12 flies and fishing larger rivers, it might do great with a 5wt line even if it is technically a 7wt rod. If it is technically a 5wt rod but you want to cast size 4/6 flies at close range into bass holes, you might have to use a 7wt line to make everything work.

I ran into this problem snook fishing in small tidal creeks with my 8wt rod. An 8wt has enough backbone to fight snook well, but casting larger size 2 flies (also well suited to an 8 wt) at very short 20-30' distances was making me look like a fool. Not enough line out to carry the fly well. Switching it up to a size 6 fly and it was casting beautifully at close range.

You might try taking it to a fly shop and see if they will let you cast a few lines to see how it feels. Buy the right line from them obviously, don't get it online to save $5.

[Leftridge]

If it's an older rod and a slow action, it's likely fiberglass. Try posting of fiberglassflyflyrodders.com and see if anyone recognizes the rod, but it looks like it might be home built from a blank.

The nice thing about fiberglass rods is that they are versatile with line weights. If a 5wt line is heavy enough to throw the flies you want to use, and you're casting far enough to load the rod properly, it will work just fine. They aren't like rifles where you HAVE to use the right ammunition.

Ex: if you're throwing size 10/12 flies and fishing larger rivers, it might do great with a 5wt line even if it is technically a 7wt rod. If it is technically a 5wt rod but you want to cast size 4/6 flies at close range into bass holes, you might have to use a 7wt line to make everything work.

I ran into this problem snook fishing in small tidal creeks with my 8wt rod. An 8wt has enough backbone to fight snook well, but casting larger size 2 flies (also well suited to an 8 wt) at very short 20-30' distances was making me look like a fool. Not enough line out to carry the fly well. Switching it up to a size 6 fly and it was casting beautifully at close range.

You might try taking it to a fly shop and see if they will let you cast a few lines to see how it feels. Buy the right line from them obviously, don't get it online to save $5.

Thanks for the lead and taking the time to reply! I'll check it out!

[Draco]

Google "The Common Cents method" to determine the rod weight. It can help with the action guess as well.