Lines, Leaders, Tippets

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Given that I was gifted by Mr. Ed, one of my neighbors, with some
fiberglass rods (FF 535 &FF 84), I'm kinda interested in what I would
use to fish these in what might be considered the optimal set-up for
each.
* The FF 535 is a wee bitty thing at 5'3" in length and marked for
either a 5 or 6 weight line. It arrived with a Pflueger 1492 1/2 spooled
with a DT-5-F and a spare spool with DT-6-S. Neither has any backing,
just the lines and leaders of unknown size.
* The FF 84 is 8'6" and is also rated for the 5 or 6 wt lines. It was accompanied
with a Pflueger 1494 1/2 spooled with DT-5-S and a spare with DT-6-F
and a Martin D-60 with DT-6-S.
Now some reading that I've done would indicate that the 535 might also
handle down to a 4 or 3 wt. line with no problems.
All the lines that came with the reels is original from Mr. Ed, and dates
from the 1970's. How would I check them for usefulness or should I just
strip them off and start with new on all the reels and spare spools?
As I haven't had a chance to get to The Gila River as yet, I understand it
to be a smaller river with flow rates that avg. just under 100 cfs. (this past
week it was listed as 20 cfs), and the trouts are smallish. Sounds like a body
of water made for the 535, or not...?
So, I find myself faced with yet another question and I have all these brilliant
minds to supply answers I thought I'd ask for opinions and thoughts.

Thanks All for your indulgence.

hank

PS any thought or suggestions on how I might best use these would also
be greatly appreciated.

hank

[Roadkill]

Hank,

Unless the lines are visibly cracked or deteriorating, I would just go out and cast them with the lines they came with and see how they feel and cast for you. Optimal line choice will depend on your normal casting distance and your own ability to change your cast with the distance you are trying to obtain. Up close with less than the 30 feet of line in the air for the rated line Weight you may want a heavier line weight to load the rod. Casting 50 -60 feet you may want the rated line weight or even less. It is mainly a matter of your comfort zone. I would play around with them "as is" to see how everything feels. If the lines are wearing out feel free to go out and cast them in the dirt or on pavement because they are quite disposable. And I would ask Ed over an adult beverage what he thinks about the line weight for the rods since he was the #1 tester.

[narcodog]

Great friend you have there Hank. I'd fish those suckers like there was no tomorrow. Fenwick made some of the best glass rods and the reels are the best, bullet proof. Being glass they will work very will with s/h's.
For more info you can go to http://www.fiberglassflyrodders.com.

[hankaye]

Roadkill & narcodog, Howdy;

Thanks for the tips. The lines have been on the spools since the mid-late 70's...
kinda like trying to cast a limp coiled spring...
Any tips for getting the lines to ... relax?

hank

[DUBBN]

http://midcurrent.com/gear/fly-line-mem ... tretching/

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdo ... 03402.html

I would imagine that straightening your line by hand will let you know if it has gone bad with time. It will probably crack if it has gone bad.

[narcodog]

Wash them in warm water with mild detergent, rinse then stretch them between two posts. After a few hours rub them down with plastic line dressing and spool them back up.

[hankaye]

DUBBN & narcodog, Howdy;

Wayne thanks for the links. Interesting that they both
recommend just using one's hands and stretching the lines.

Bob, the wash it and 'Hang it out to dry' method sound like something
I should do with them as well. A few have quite a bit of floatant globed
on them.

Thanks to both of you, now I know what I'm doing today ...

hank