A Guide to Selecting a Fly Fishing Rod

A Guide to Selecting a Fly Fishing Rod

Buying a fly fishing rod today can be quite confusing as fly fishing rods are made from many different types of material, come in different lengths and varying degrees of stiffness. The fly fishing rod is one of the most important items of fly fishing equipment, so buying the correct rod is essential. The fly fishing rod that is the oldest is the classic bamboo fly rod. Although it may look like a work of art, a bamboo fly fishing rod costs more and weighs more that the modern fly fishing 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 rods can be used for short and long-range casting, and are recommended rods for beginners.
• Fast-Action – Beginners find these rods difficult to handle. These stiff rods only flex at the rod tip, and are good rods for long-range casting, and reeling in large fish. Slow-action fly rods have better casting accuracy than these 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. You can use streamers and large flies.
• 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 rods are more suitable for fly fishing in tight, confined spaces such as narrow streams, but longer fly rods have a faster action than shorter 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 beginner fly fishing rod guide for more information about fly rods, and how to choose a fly fishing rod.

 

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