[CF LURKER]

Are the wt ratings the same for each type of rod?

I was told that a 6wt spey rod is "beefer" than a 6wt overhead fly rod. ???

 

[chewydog]

" A 6 wt single-handed line weighs 160 grains, give or take 5% or 8 grains. A 6wt Spey line can range from 400-600 grains depending on length of rod."

I use a 425 grain on my 6wt switch. That line would probably snap my single hand 6wt at the cork.

Edited for clarity. From Gink and Gasoline:
"Switch rod and Spey rod weights are rated on the AFTTA standard and single-hand rods and lines are rated on the AFTMA standard. It’s like comparing Celsius to Fahrenheit or meters to feet. This means that a 5-weight switch rod, for example, takes a much higher grain weight line than a 5-weight single hander in order to get the proper load. That 5-weight single-hand rod needs a line in the range of 180 to 200 grains, whereas a #5 Switch rod needs 300 to 330. That’s a huge difference and if it seems unnecessarily complicated, that’s because it is. It’s critical when choosing a line for your switch rod that you think in terms of the grain weight needed to load the rod."

 

[herefishy]

Sure wish I had known this before I bought a 6 wt line for my switch rod, then gave it away because I couldn't cast it. Glad you asked the question.

 

[CF LURKER]

Thanks Chewy for that info.

I tried searching for it through the interweb and couldn't find any info like that.

Very Helpful.

Thanks again

 

[explodedlad]

These PDFs are pretty crucial for setting up a two hander with line.
http://www.rioproducts.com/RIO-Spey-Line-Recs.pdf
http://www.rioproducts.com/skin/summit/pdf/old-spey-line-recommendations.pdf
http://www.scientificanglers.com/speypics/speychartmaster.pdf

The Rio Line selector can also help...but I like the charts above:
http://www.rioproducts.com/fly-line-selector/

I am new to the world of Spey and Switch as well. I just spent a week up on the Rogue River in southern Oregon 2 handed casting for steelhead. A bad line put on an amazing rod will make your rod feel like absolute dookie. A good line matched with a mediocre rod is incredible. A great rod and line pairing is life changing.