Confusion over line wts. on switch/spey rods

[Salar4me]

I'm interested in a TFO 11' 4wt. switch rod to use in stillwaters/med sized streams for trout/bass/occasional steelhead. The manufacturer's web site recommends a 6-7 wt line. Always thought a 4wt. rod would be matched to a 4wt line??? - I have speys in the 6-8wt range and love them...Looking for an outfit that will let a 12" smallmouth fight like a 12"smallmouth. I know I need to do some research on grain wts. Skagit/whatever lines and understand if I just scroll down the screen I'd probably find an answer... Is there a conversion chart displaying my antiquated line wt. knowledge with something that would match a rod... With the price of fly lines these days - I don't want to make too many mistakes...

[sva01]

Contact Bob at Great Lakes Spey Shop. Explain your application and I'm sure he'll get you "in the know."

http://www.greatlakesspeyshop.com/

1-800-303-0567

[AdmiralB]

Speaking [OK, writing] of line weights, can anyone recommend a practical way to determine the weight of a line? I know I could attach the reel to a variety of rods and see what seems to be closest to the declared rod weight, but this is clumsy and I don't have that many rods. Should I pretend to be a drug-dealer and buy a scale to weigh the different lines? Is there a table that shows the line weights in grams or ounces? Thanks for any advice/info.

[AdmiralB]

P.S. - I'm referring to lines I already own, where I've forgotten the weight and the labels have come off the reels. I've already kicked myself several times for not recording them more permanently.

[attackmode]

most people who have a lot of spey line buy a scale...

[brwntrt1219]

I fish the Beulah 4/5 switch for smallies in the summer and use the 300grain Airflo compact Scandi. It works very well, could be a tad lighter load for my own tastes. It also comes in 240 and 270, should in the range you need. As mentioned above, call Great Lakes, 616-866-6060, ask for Bob. Take a look at the Beulah also, nice rod.

[thegreatscout]

I bought a inexpencive grain scale on ebay, maybe $5..........or you can order a nicer one from Poppy at the Redshed @ http://redshedflyshop.com/ for about $25. Poppy has everything you need for your spey addiction
Good Luck Brother.
Rich
thegreatscout

[FK]

I own the TFO Deercreek 11ft 4wt rod and fished it today, great light trout rod.

Note that single hand rod line ratings are not the same as double handed rod line ratings. The Rio Products line below explains in detail.

http://www.rioproducts.com/photos/file/ ... 202011.pdf

For my style of DH casting, I use the following lines with the 11ft 4wt

Airflo 40+ in WF5F
Airflo Scandi Compact 270 grain
Rio Skagit Short 275 grain

Regards,
FK

[kweetech]

http://redshedflyshop.com/

<- also has line recommendations for that rod, from the rod designer himself