cochise

Hey all! I've got a problem. I was just given an old Heddon 3 pc bamboo fly rod in pretty good shape. However, I don't know the weight of the flyline to be used with it to load it properly. The weight isn't indicated anywhere on the rod. Is there a way to figure this out. I truly want to use the rod but I'm at a loss.
Any help out there?

Windknots

The line number system wasn't used before the early 60s, they used line size with lettersi, i.e. HDH, FDH all double taper,,blah blah.Without having a dozen different weight lines to test with, I would reccomend contacting a skilled rod maker and riddle them, the best I know is Darryl Whitehead, one of the best in world, lives here in Oregon, he will be on the web.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Don't know where you live, but if if you've got a local fly shop take it in and have them take a look at it. If they're a decent shop they should have some reels already spooled with different weights that you could try and see what works best. Also there is a Heddon museum and they have a website - heddonmuseum.org - you might could contact them and have them give you an assessment.

Windknots

This is all good advice!!

MassBaster

If there are other markings on the rod or the tube (if you have it), you can check out this chart for the old conversions from silk lines to modern fly line weights. I inherited three Orvis bamboo rods earlier this year and the chart showed me what I needed:

https://www.orvis.com/s/silk-fly-line-conversion-chart/2875

Also, the guys on this forum had a lot of useful information:

http://classicflyrodforum.com

I'm getting ready to take out my one beater fly rod and at least one of the bamboo's this fall. Been having too much fun with spin casting so far this year!!! (Bunch of bass last night and a good sized pickerel last night!!)