Buying a Fly Fishing Rod

A Guide to Selecting a Fly Fishing Rod

Fly fishing rods today are manufactured from many different types of material. Fly rods also come in many different lengths, and have different degrees of flexibility, which make it confusing when selecting a fly fishing rod. Buying the correct fly fishing rod in extremely important, as the fly rod is one of the more important pieces of fly fishing equipment that you will buy. The fly fishing rod that is the oldest is the bamboo fly fishing rod. Whilst a bamboo fly rod is a work of art, these rods are heavier and more expensive than the fly rods made today.

1. Rod Materials

Fly fishing rod are manufactured using the following materials:

• Fiberglass – Commonly used in the less expensive fly rods. Fiberglass rods are usually more durable than graphite, and are generally used by beginners. You can use these fly rods for most types of fishing.
• Graphite – More expensive than fiberglass rods. Fly fishing rods made of graphite are lighter, which make them easier to cast more accurately. Graphite rods also have greater fighting power. Beginner and expert anglers can use these fly fishing rods.

2. Rod Action

Rod action is the amount of stiffness in the rod, and how much the rod will flex when you are casting or are fighting a fish. The action of a fly rod can categorized as:

• Slow-Action – These rods have the most bend or flexibility. These fly rods can be difficult for beginner anglers to learn to control, but these rods have more accuracy when it comes to short-range casting. Fishing for lightweight fish is the main use of these rods.
• Medium-Action -These rods bend in the middle of the rod and at the rod tip. These fly fishing rods are ideal rods for beginner anglers, and can be used for both long-range and short-range casting.
• Fast-Action – Beginners find these rods difficult to handle. The tip of these rods can flex, but the rest of the rod is quite stiff. These rods allow you to cast long distances, and to reel in larger fish. These rods do not have the casting accuracy of slow-action rods.

3. Rod Weight

The weight of the fly fishing rod you choose should match the weight of the fly line you intend using. Rod weight tells you what fly line weight the rod have been designed to most effectively use – rod weight is not the actual physical weight of the rod. Fly line weights are categorized 1 to 15, and you choose your fly line weight according to the fish you intend catching:

• 1 to 3 Weight – Small trout and other small fish using small flies.
• 4 weight – Small to medium sized trout and other similar sized fish with small to medium flies.
• 5 or 6 Weight – Medium sized trout, small bass and other similar sized fish using small to large flies.
• 7 or 8 Weight – Large trout and bass. Streamers and larger flies are suitable.
• 9 Weight and Above – Steelhead, salmon, and saltwater fish with saltwater flies.

4. Rod Length

The length of a fly rod determines the action of the rod. Shorter fly fishing rods have a slower action than longer fly rods, but they are better suited to fly fishing in tight confined spaces than longer fly fishing rods. Fly fishing rod length can be categorized as:

• Short (less than 8 feet) – Use in tight fishing situations where bush, trees or stream size restrict your movement.
• Medium (8 feet – 9 feet) – Recommended rod length for trout and bass fly fishing. They allow you to cast further and can handle more weight.
• Long (longer than 9 feet) – Ideal choice for longer casting and fishing for big-game fish.

Take a look at the fly fishing rod guide for beginners for more information about fly rods, and how to choose a fly fishing rod.

For more information about the sport of fly fishing, take a look at the news feed for Fly Fishing Elite (Feedraider.com).