Fly Fishing Line Grain Weight

The weight of a fly fishing line is specified by using its fly fishing line grain weight. This is the physical weight of the line (in grains) for the first thirty feet of fly fishing line. Years ago, the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association (AFTMA) took the entire fly fishing line grain weight range and divided it into fifteen standard weights. All fly fishing line manufacturers today use this AFTMA standard. The table below shows AFTMA fly fishing line grain weight ratings (1-15), the corresponding weight for the rating (in grains), and the type of fishing suited for each rating :

As you can see from the above table it is important to select the correct fly fishing line grain weight rating (1-15) for the type of fishing you are going to be doing. The 5-weight line is the most popular weight used for fishing for trout,
You must also normally marry the fly fishing line grain weight rating to the fly fishing rod weight, for example if we are using a 5-weight line, we will also normally use a 5-weight fly fishing rod.

Heavier fly lines, and the corresponding rods that cast them require more physical effort to cast and fish with. The heaviest fly fishing lines will cast all sizes of flies, both large and small, but all subtlety is lost when a heavy fly line falls on clear shallow water. Choosing a fly line is often a a balancing act between power and subtlety, and more experienced anglers prefer using the lightest fly line (with corresponding rod) possible that effectively balances these two opposing elements.

There are times when an angler will use different fly fishing line grain weight ratings for the same fly fishing rod. For example, for fishing in a tumbling and swift mountain brook you may need to use short leaders with dry flies. However, this setup may not work well if you were to fish for trout in a spring that is very calm or in a lake that is rather quiet.

Casting At A Greater Distance

Fish can easily be spooked when the line falls too close to them and this is why using a longer leader can prove to be more effective in making the cast. When you cast at a greater distance from where you think the fish are swimming there is less chance that the fish will be warned of the cast and so your chances of landing a catch will improve. However, a longer leader makes the casting difficult and it also leads to inaccuracies. The solution to such a problem lies in using the correct fly fishing line weight. So, if you are angling for trout then your best option is to use a fly fishing line grain weight rating that is less than what you would use in dry fly fishing.

This means if you are using a 7-weight rod then the recommended fly fishing line grain weight rating would be six and if the fishing conditions are especially delicate you can even go with a fly fishing line grain weight rating of five. Every fly fishing rod casts a particular fly fishing line weight and at the right line speed.

Dropping the fly fishing line grain weight down can provide you with two advantages: the line will make a softer splash and there is also less line speed on account of a lower weight. It is in fact well known that heavier lines will travel faster and will make a bigger impact on the water which can spook the fish. This is something that you wish to avoid.

Sometimes its necessary to use a heavier fly fishing line grain weight rating, such as when you are fishing in small streams and when you are fishing for trout. A heavier fly fishing line may also be perfect for fishing in small pools of water, or a brook trout stream, and when casting distances are small. Therefore one must first determine the type of fishing conditions you expect to encounter and then choose the fly fishing line grain weight that best matches the fishing conditions.

Tags: fly fishing line, fly fishing line grain weight