Rod Weights and their Typical Uses

#2 Weight Fly Rods

~ Considered to be ultra, ultra light

~ Highly specialized for fishing tiny flies and very light tippets

~ Great for spooky fish where delicate presentation is the most important factor

~ Makes little fish seem bigger

~ Works best at short to medium ranges with flies under size #16

#3 Weight Fly Rods

~ Considered ultra light

~ Generally fits all the specifications of #2 weight rods for delicate presentation but the larger line mass is easier to time while casting and allows longer casts

~ Comfortable with flies up to size #14

#4 Weight Fly Rods

~ Considered light

~ Very popular size for spring creeks and mountain streams

~ Works well with 2 - 6 pound tippets, and fly sizes #12 to #20

~ Casts comfortably to ranges of 45 feet

#5 Weight Fly Rods

~ Considered medium light

~ One of the most popular sizes for general trout fishing

~ Fishes tippets down to 2 pound test

~ Works well with tippets of 3 to 10 pound test

~ Works well with bushy dries up to size #6 or tiny emergers down to size #20

~ Casts comfortably to ranges of 60 feet with a size #12 fly

~ Feels good with mountain cutthroats or Alaska rainbows

#6 Weight Fly Rods

~ Considered medium weight

~ The most versatile size

~ Works well with tippets of 3 to 10 pound test

~ Casts bushy #4 dries to 35 feet easily and is delicate enough to fish flies down to size #18 effectively

~ Will throw #4 cork poppers or deer hair mice

~ Has enough line mass to deliver large weighted nymphs to 60 feet and #10 un-weighted flies to 90 feet

#7 Weight Fly Rods

~ Considered medium heavy

~ Useful where windy conditions prevail

~ Useful where exceptionally large flies are used

~ Useful where trout over five pounds are normal

~ Works poorly with tippets under 5 pound test

~ Works best with tippets of 6 to 12 pound test

~ Works best with flies #2 to #14

~ Has enough line mass to deliver #6 fly to the length of the fly line

#8 Weight Fly Rods

~ Considered heavy

~ Very useful where trout average 6 to 15 pounds

~ Will cast the largest trout flies

~ Compatible with the heaviest trout tippets

~ The best choice for very windy conditions

~ Will cast to the longest ranges

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