Hello, all!

I fish more (old) (vintage) fiberglass than anything else, and I normally fish for smallmouth here in central IN. However, sometimes I do get to Southern California to visit the 91 year old parents, and try to get in some fishing in the San Gabriel Mountains for trout.

Old fiberglass was mostly 6 weight, with some 5's . . . and some that say "6" but are really very adept at 5 weight, like my favorite trout rod, the Fenwick FF79, an 8' rod that says "6 weight," but comes alive and sweet with a 5 at medium distances. Now, I don't have any problems fishing a 6 weight in broken water or water that's at least 3 feet deep. I prefer 5 weight in less than that, and I've encountered calm water about 6 inches deep behind boulders in those San Gabriels when i really would have preferred to have a 4 weight. But i hunker down, find the current line, and drift the offering in from above. It'll suit.

So for me, the maximum line weight is a 6 weight in small streams, while preferring 5 weight most of the time. But I'll bet most of you shudder even to go that high.

Back to my vintage equipment. When they were making and using these things in the 60's and 70's, people were fishing the same small streams you and I are with these heavier lines. Why do y'all want 3's, 2's 1's and oughts? 5's and even 6's do just fine for me and and for our parents. Are the fish different now?

The best to you each morning!
Peter