The standard size fly rod for trout for the Greatest Generation before and after World War 2 was a 7 weight .
In my generation, the Baby Boomers, the 6 weight fiberglass was the trout size fly rod.
With the onset of Graphite the 5 weight was the standard size for trout.
Today, 9 foot #5 weight in 4 pieces is the top selling fly rod, period.
Lengths in cane / split bamboo fly rods for trout sizes was 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 foot in 7 weight.
Today the top selling cane rods are 7 1/2 foot #4 line in 2 piece.
In fiberglass it was about the same, 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 in 6 weight.
With Graphite they were finally able to make a 9 foot fly rod in trout sizes like a 5 weight.
In the later generations of Graphite they were able to actually build trout rods in 10 foot lengths.
Fly lines have improved with specialty lines for many different situations.
Some think this is too confusing but people in big fly shops with a travel agency deal with them daily.
Fly reels have improved but that has not been all that important for trout.
Waders have really improved with the onset of breathables.
When they first talked about them we couldn't stop laughing.
This has made raincoats so much better too.
Simms with Gore-Tex has dominated this market place.
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