Tom Rowland | Marking Your Fly Line - Lefty Kreh's Method | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 563

Tom Rowland, host of the Tom Rowland Podcast and professional fly fishing guide, shares an old-school technique for marking fly lines that came directly from legendary angler Lefty Kreh. In this How 2 Tuesday episode, Tom demonstrates a simple Sharpie method that permanently identifies each fly line's weight—eliminating confusion when you've got multiple rods rigged for a big saltwater trip. The technique uses wide and narrow bands in a counting system that's far more reliable than factory stickers, and Tom walks through exactly how to mark everything from five-weight freshwater lines to eleven-weight saltwater setups. Whether you're organizing gear for your next flats adventure or just tired of guessing which line is which, this three-minute tutorial solves a problem every serious fly angler has faced.

The Problem Every Multi-Rod Angler Faces

If you've ever stared at a pile of fly rods before a big trip—eight-weight, nine-weight, ten-weight, eleven-weight, twelve-weight—and struggled to remember which line is on which reel, you know the frustration Tom addresses in this episode. Factory stickers fall off. Memory fails. And when you're rigging multiple outfits for different situations on the flats or offshore, the last thing you need is confusion about your tackle. Tom explains that telling the difference between a nine-weight and a ten-weight line by feel alone is nearly impossible, especially when you're in a hurry. That's why he turns to a marking system that's been trusted by professional guides for decades. The solution Tom learned from Lefty Kreh starts at 0:35.

The Wide Band and Narrow Band Counting System

Tom breaks down the elegantly simple logic behind this marking method: one wide band equals five, and one narrow band equals one. Using just a Sharpie marker, you rotate the fly line in your hand while coating it with bands of different widths. For a five-weight line, you'd make one wide band. For a six-weight, one wide and one narrow. For a seven-weight, one wide and two narrow. The system scales up perfectly for heavier saltwater lines—an eleven-weight gets two wide bands and one narrow band. Tom emphasizes making the bands about an inch and a half long because sun and saltwater exposure can fade shorter marks. He demonstrates the exact technique on an eleven-weight line, showing how to ensure both sides of the line are coated. Watch Tom mark the eleven-weight line at 1:15.

Why This Beats Factory Stickers Every Time

Tom acknowledges that some modern fly lines come with factory markings that tell you the weight, and that's great when it works. But he's seen too many of those markings fade or disappear after exposure to the elements. The same goes for stickers that come with fly lines—you can put them on your reels, but they usually fall off or get damaged. The Sharpie band method is permanent and visible no matter how much abuse your line takes. Tom calls this "old school" for a reason: it's the system Lefty Kreh taught, and it's proven itself over decades of professional guiding. By marking both ends of the line, you ensure that no matter which end you're looking at, you instantly know what you're working with. Tom explains why Lefty's method is superior at 2:15.

Organizing Your Fly Fishing Arsenal

When you have a serious fly fishing habit—multiple rods, multiple reels, lines for different species and conditions—organization becomes critical. Tom points out that when you're packing for a trip where you might encounter everything from permit to tarpon to offshore gamefish, having eight, nine, ten, eleven, or even twelve-weight outfits isn't excessive—it's preparation. But that preparation only works if you can quickly identify and rig the right setup for the situation. This marking system gives you that instant recognition. No more unwinding line to check factory markings. No more guessing. Just pick up the line, see the bands, and know exactly what you're holding. Tom emphasizes doing this marking on both ends of every fly line you own, creating a foolproof system that works even when you're organizing gear in low light or during the rushed moments before launching. Tom discusses managing multiple fly lines at 0:20.

Final Thoughts from Tom

I can't tell you how many times I've been packing for a trip and had to pull line off multiple reels just to figure out what I was looking at. It's frustrating, it wastes time, and it's completely avoidable. When Lefty Kreh taught me this Sharpie method years ago, it was one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments. The simplicity is what makes it brilliant—wide bands equal five, narrow bands equal one, and you can mark any line weight in seconds.

What I really appreciate about this system is that it works. Factory markings might look professional, but they fade. Stickers peel off. These Sharpie bands stay put through every condition you throw at them. And when you're rigging in the dark before a morning launch, or when you're trying to quickly switch setups on the water, being able to instantly identify your line weight without hesitation makes a real difference.

If you're serious about fly fishing and you run multiple outfits, take three minutes and watch this one. Grab a Sharpie and mark your lines. It's old school, it's proven, and it's one of those small details that makes you more efficient and better prepared. This is the kind of practical knowledge that separates anglers who are ready for anything from those who are constantly scrambling to figure out their gear.