I do not know about you guys, but knowing what line to use at times becomes very difficult for me.   The standard single handed 9’ rod is pretty easy to understand.  I tend to recommend going up a line when you are a novice caster as the extra weight allows you to feel the tug in the back cast.   Then we have the switch and Spey rods which also have their variations depending on whether you are using a standard floating. sinking  or Spey lines.   This is where it can get very complicated.  Floating, Sinking, Nymphing, Skagit, Scandia and Short Scandia not to mention lines that come in rod line weight and also grains.  Choosing a line can be overwhelming.  Even those who are very knowledgeable can have difficulty in knowing what line to use. There are so many exceptions it is impossible to know them all.  You would think a 5wt 9’ single handle rod would use the same line as a 5wt 11’ Switch rod.  No, the extra length of the rod requires that you go up 2 or 3wts . As I said very complicated.

I recently discovered that Rio has an on line  “Fly Line Selector” http://www.rioproducts.com/fly-line-selector/   You can even get a smart phone application for this selector.  Thank heavens.  I have just started using this site so I am not familiar with the sites and how well it works.  My guess is that it is very good.   I  do think it is worth the time to look at when you are considering buying a line.  I have always used Rio lines and highly recommend them

There are some other helpful hints like cleaning and storing a line on this site.  Check it out.

I hope this helps all of you,

Tom Bartos