Answers to our first quiz:
1 – Which line will sink faster, one weighing 300 grains, or one weighing 500 grains?
From Paul Brown: Depends. The speed at which they sink is controlled by the density of the coating and not the grains.
And Lyth Hartz: The weight of the line is not what matters regarding sink rate, it is the density of the line that matters. The one with the most density will sink faster.
Yes – The sink rate is dependent on density (mass divided by volume) not the mass or weight.
2 – Do fly lines with longer front tapers deliver more delicately than those with short front tapers?
From Rene Hesse: If we did not use a leader the answer would be yes. However, the delicacy of the delivery will have more to do with the leader than the fly line.
And Tony Ertola: Long front tapers turn over smoother with less “kick” than short front tapers but ultimately the delicacy comes from a well designed leader that is properly proportioned to dissipate the energy from the fly line through the leader and tippet.
There are a number of factors that affect the delicacy of delivery. All other things being equal a longer front taper will dissipate more energy and would be a factor in delicate delivery but other factors include the fly line weight (a light weight line will give a more delicate delivery than a heavy weight line), the density of the line (sinking lines tend to kick more than floating lines), the leader, the fly itself (one way to enhance your curve cast is to use a smaller amount of casting yarn and to soak the yarn in floatant), and the design of the taper (e.g., compound vs straight).
3 – Considering modern fly lines, can you throw as tight a loop with a stiff line as with a more supple one?
From Rene Hesse: The path of the rod tip will determine the loop size and shape not the stiffness.
From Tony Ertola: With a short, soft cast, it may be possible to throw a tighter loop with a softer line. I don’t think a stiff line will hinder a tight loop in any practical situation.
From Bob Garber: I’m thinking it would depend on the environment in which the lines are being used. A stiff line in a cold location would not be as manageable as a more supple line; a supple line in a tropical location may not be as manageable either.
Yes – the path of the rod tip determines the loop size and shape but the environment can affect the manageability of the line.
4 – When a very good caster throws a WF line long distances, what is the right amount of “overhang”?
From Paul Brown: The amount of overhang will vary dependant on ability, casting style, rod action and wind conditions.
From Tony Ertola: The exact amount of overhang is subject to the specific line taper and the ability of the caster. It seems to me that short rear tapers have a narrower “sweet spot” range in regard to the amount of overhang and become increasingly difficult to control with more than that. Long rear tapers seem to me to be more forgiving.
From Bob Garber: It depends on how well the caster can control the running line in the air, how straight the caster can keep it. Its best to keep the belly of the line close to the rod tip.
From Rene Hesse: It depends. The ability of the caster, at what point in the casting sequence…last back cast or not etc. It is not the wrong amount until the caster can’t deal with it properly.
Further to Rene’s commend about the last back cast, one of the “tricks” distance casters use is to shoot extra line into their last back cast. It is possible to carry extra overhang for a single casting stroke.
Next – We will have one more quiz about fly lines about moving on to a discussion about fly rods.