FS Digest

Have been fishing tenkara in Utah with success. Just got the Clearwater 5wt 9 rod and battenkill 2 reel. I’m assuming that was the best size real out of my options. I was wondering what would be the best line to pair up with this setup

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by Jrherns

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

If you are fishing "dainty" waters,you might consider a floating 4 weight line in a WF taper..even though the rod appears to be designed around a 5 weight line.

Captain Lahti Loc: Kennewick, WA

Lines are paired with rods by weight. The goal is to have the weight of the line to load the rod on the back cast and to carry the fly out on the forward cast. By the same token we choose rod weight according to conditions and the flies we will likely use. Heavier rods for bigger fish but more likely for heavier lines since the large range of flies can be cast with a large range of rod weights. As to choice of line weights, it’s said one can go up in line weight but not as easily down in line weight. I would stick with the #5 line. If casting technique is spot on, good fly presentation, even with very small flies shouldn’t be affected. That of course calls for fineness in choosing the right leader and tippet to allow for a proper presentation. And I don’t know of any formula for hat other than experience. I throw flies over lake water mostly and use home made furreled leaders and store bought tapered leaders. Store bought leaders intended for trout. I find heavier leaders work best for a nice long presentation and pair the tippets to the fly. The smaller the fly, the finer the tippet.

froze

I agree, I would stick with #5 line. Now you have to decide if you want floating or sinking fly line, do you have a fast action rod.

There are exceptions to what # line to use, going down a line will give you a more delicate cast which is great for spooky fish, but you'll have a shorter casting distance and less ability to cast into the wind; going up a line is great for BIG flies, and will help you to cast further and cast into the wind better, but you lose some of the delicacy which could spook fish. So staying with a #5 line will do both worlds...unless you want something more specific that would lend itself well to going down or up a number.