I was using my TFO Finesse 1wt 6ft 9inch rod today, and while labelled as a 1wt, I do wonder if it is. It was able to cast and throw around a 2wt DT line (Cortland) with real authority, albeit at fairly short range (30 ft), and did not flinch with an 8-10 inch Brookie. I have caught good sized Rainbows on this rod in the past. I suspect that the short length helps, but I do wonder if this rod should really be labelled as a 2wt or even a 3wt.

I actually like the rod quite a bit, but still wanted to get the impression of the the forum denizens, if you do own or have used this rod.

Thanks.

Larry: Interesting to hear your input! I've found my 1wt and 3 wt graphites actually perform best with a line wt higher. But more to the point, I built a 6' Fenwick fiberglass rod on one of their '5 wt' blanks over 30 years ago, and slavishly used a 5 wt line on it, with ok, but not stellar results. After applying the Common Cents process two years ago, it came out at about 3.5 wt, so I put a 3 and then a 4 on it, and what a difference! Well, my neighbour was cleaning out his father in law's flyshop following his death, and among the stuff, found one of those old Fenwick 6'5wt glass blanks and asked me to build a rod on it for a mutual friend, so I did. Once complete, it too works best with a 4 wt line, and is passably good with a 3, as well. Interesting stuff!
brent

I've used both a 1 and a 2 on mine but for versatility (for example, backcountry/hiking where I may encounter differing situations), I use a standard weight Orvis Silver Label WF1. It actually doesn't seem to act a whole lot different than the SA Ultra 3 WF2 until you get out about 12-15', and then I prefer the WF1 on it anyway because the 2wt will start to bog it down IMO.

I agree that most sub-3wt rods (not just graphite) are pretty grossly underrated in weight designation, but I don't think the Finesse is one of them. Your experience makes me wonder if somehow it's a different blank. I can't imagine it seeming like a 3wt. Seems pretty close to an actual 1wt but a glass lover may think otherwise. So usually I'd agree you might as well go up a weight, but since there seems to be so little difference in weight in those lower line weights, the difference in-close is almost nothing. Since I see the Finesse as "on the line", I prefer to have a 1wt on it for longer casts. Most other sub-3wt rods truly need the heavier line all the time.

Thanks, Larry. Makes sense.
brent