I too think the 406 #3 (I’ve got a DT3) to be slightly light. My preference is SA Trout in either WF or DT.

A ‘lawn casting line’ I really use to judge a 3 weight rod is an old Sage Quiet Taper II DT3. I still got a new in box for future fishing fun.

are we collecting this empirical data "grass casting"?
or actually on the trout stream catching fish?

because that matters, a lot.

Aurelio, and that is exactly what I am trying to avoid in my own situation. Limited time and money.

Perspective #1. The chart below tabulates the AFFTA line standards. There are no half line weights in that standard. The difference between a 3 weight line and a 4 weight line is 20 grains (a.k.a., 0.05 ounces or 1.3 g). That difference is equivalent to 6 feet of a 3 weight fly line. Less than a rod length.

Nobody has reported any line weight measurements (hint: it is easy to do). However, terms such as 'true', 'light', 'heavy', and 'half weight' have been used prolifically in this thread. These are just opinions when they lack empirical data to back them up. Please treat them as such.


Perspective #2. There is no such thing as a 3 weight rod. Sorry. Go to the affta.org/page/IndustryStandards website. Have a look around. There are standards for fly lines, spey lines, and reel feet. There is no standard or suggested method for rating rods. So where does that number on the side of the rod come from? The number is the opinion of the rod maker. Unlike fly lines, there is no way to back up a rod rating with measurements.

Many of us frequent this forum because our opinions vary from the mainstream of fly fishing. Within the forum, our casting styles vary, our age and muscles vary, and our available equipment varies. In particular, our favorite waters vary. Our opinions should vary too. Please understand that when you post. Cut your fellow forum members some slack.


Tom

You could measure with a Vernier caliper, but fly lines are squishy. If the line maker published a tip length, I use that value. Otherwise I allow 6-12" for the tip section. The idea is to get the fused loops, needle knots, leaders, eyelets, and the like out of the measurement. With the Umpqua scale it would be difficult to get a separate measurement of the tip section. Weighing the first 30 feet is close enough, particularly if you amputate the old leader. You won't mistake a 6 weight for a 5 weight.

In America's Fly Lines, Vic Johnson indicates the decision to exclude the level tip section was arbitrary. However, when the line standard was developed, tip sections ran to 3 feet or more (the image below is from a 1957 Sunset line catalog). Modern lines typically have shorter tips based on the catalog/website information. Johnson also indicates the 30 foot length was based on the shooting heads West Coast fly fisherman were using at the time (page 107). Thirty feet was not a magic number based on average fishing conditions.

You aren't the only one with a box full of recovered lines you can't throw away. A separate discussion could be useful.


Tom

in the spirit of this thread, Ill list some great 3 wts I own, or have owned:

Studio Thin Line 7’0” 3pc
Lamaglas ‘Honey’ 7’0” 2pc
McFarland ‘Yellow Glass’ 6’3” 3pc
F.A.I.S./Caps ‘Personal’ (Right Staff) 6’8” 3pc
Tiemco ‘Bushmaster’ 5’9” 3pc
Diamondback ‘Diamondglass’ 7’0” 3pc
Kenney ‘Latte’ 7’3” 3pc

Corlay, I 've seen some F.A.I.S/caps rods on ebay, one was white and I think the other yellow, with an all cork grip and reel seat, is that what yours is/was?

Nice rod! Thanks for the info, I'm not sure what the rods I saw were then.

I forgot to mention my:
- Scott F703/3 black with blue lettering.
- Kazutomo Ijuin Yomogi 703/3.
- Lamiglas 703/2 factory built.

Lovely rods, all of them.

Walt Powell had it right - label a rod for 3 or 4 line wts and tell the guy to go fish it with whatever felt best. That's how it should be done. But the marketing guys at the rod companies have the market pegged. They love to sell a guy four or five rods where one or two will do. Just be a decent caster and switch lines for different situations. I own over 100 rods and they all fish about the same. I just like them all. A few stand out but those are mostly cane. That being said - my favorite 3wt is a 7' Lamiglas built by our own Corlay. I fish it with an Orvis Superfine WF3 line. I don't have 2.5 or 3.5 lines, but I've been doing this long enough and have cast so many rod/line combos - I know a perfect paring when I cast it. Lovely rod.

I fish a James Green 7’3” 3wt Native Trout Series with a Bario dt3. I love it.

Beautiful rod!

I have been using an 8’3” Graywolf 3wt, “The Natural” and just love it. I throw a 3wt DT from 406 recommended by many on this forum, and really like the casting. It is a pretty tobacco blank and has a smooth, fun stroke that makes me grab it when I head out. I typically throw small streamers and foam terrestrials on a local warm water river.