Last spring I purchased a #5 St. Croix flyrod and some matching weight-forward line. Perhaps I'm just used to my old #7-8 rod/line but it seems that the line doesn't load and then "unfold" very well. It kinda just dies. Especially in any wind at all. Part of it has to do with my technique but is it worthwhile to go up to a 6 weight line to help with loading the rod more? Or should I go with a shooting/rocket taper? (I'm not so concerned about gently dropping a tiny little dry fly on the waters film so much as getting a little more distance). Any thoughts on the subject?

If you go up to a 6 weight then your rod will load to soon and when you go to shot you line  there wont be enough line out. IMHO it's all technique. I hope that makes sense.

For me, it's a rhythm & timing thing. When I put down my 9 wt trying for bass and pick up the 4 wt to catch bluegill, it always takes a couple of dozen casts to get the timing right again. I have to snap the back cast a little quicker and hesitate a little longer with the lighter line. It takes a few minutes to get the feel again.

Ronnie

For me, it's a rhythm & timing thing. When I put down my 9 wt trying for bass and pick up the 4 wt to catch bluegill, it always takes a couple of dozen casts to get the timing right again. I have to snap the back cast a little quicker and hesitate a little longer with the lighter line. It takes a few minutes to get the feel again.

Ronnie

X2

You may want to spend a little time out in the yard and try different flies to see how they handle on the 5wt.

Are you sure you're not trying to throw something too big for the rod?

maybe I read it wrong but it actually sounds like you need to go down a weight to 4 weight line...sound like either your rod is slower action or line is too heavy, making it throw like a wet sock.

http://www.superbob.org/CC.htm

check your rod, flyrods are commonly mislabled so this will tell you exactly what you want to know.

Lots of people go one line up on the St. Croixs.  It probably won't help your casting though, what it will do is slow the rod down from a feel standpoint.  If you look at rio and other line manufacturers you will see that they are going up a half line size with their newer stuff for fast action rods.  With the heavier line you will feel it straighten out on the backcast better allowing you to apply power forward at the proper time and probably solve your problem if the rest of your cast looks good.

Lots of people go one line up on the St. Croixs. It probably won't help your casting though, what it will do is slow the rod down from a feel standpoint. If you look at rio and other line manufacturers you will see that they are going up a half line size with their newer stuff for fast action rods. With the heavier line you will feel it straighten out on the backcast better allowing you to apply power forward at the proper time and probably solve your problem if the rest of your cast looks good.

I think it's partly just semantics but yes, I think that's what I need-a heavier line for a stronger backcast and, then, forward cast.

I mostly use small foam spiders for bluegill so it isn't the flies I'm using.  I rarely use big bass bugs.  Wolly buggers are as big as I go.

Thanks for all your thoughts.

Last spring I purchased a #5 St. Croix flyrod and some matching weight-forward line. Perhaps I'm just used to my old #7-8 rod/line but it seems that the line doesn't load and then "unfold" very well. It kinda just dies. Especially in any wind at all. Part of it has to do with my technique but is it worthwhile to go up to a 6 weight line to help with loading the rod more? Or should I go with a shooting/rocket taper? (I'm not so concerned about gently dropping a tiny little dry fly on the waters film so much as getting a little more distance). Any thoughts on the subject?

 I've got a vacatin day today but you don't now get back to work! lol

JK of course

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