Buying 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. One of the most important items of equipment that you will buy for fly fishing will be your fly fishing rod – selecting the correct fly rod is therefore imperative. The fly fishing rod that is the oldest is the bamboo fly fishing rod. A bamboo fly fishing rod may look aesthetically pleasing, but these bamboo rods are more expensive and heavier than the modern fly fishing rod.
1. Rod Materials
Fly fishing rod are manufactured using the following materials:
- Fiberglass – Commonly used in the less expensive fly rods. Fly rods made of fiberglass are generally more durable than rods made of graphite. Beginners normally use fiberglass rods. These rods can be used in most fly fishing situations.
- 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. These rods can be used by beginner and expert anglers.
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 rods are difficult for beginners to control, but are the most accurate for short-range casting. These rods are used to catch lightweight fish.
- Medium-Action -These rods bend in the middle of the rod and at the rod tip. Rods in this category are suitable for the novice angler. These fly fishing rods can be used for both short-range and long-range casting.
- 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. The casting accuracy of these rods do not match those of the 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. This is not the actual weight of the fly rod itself, but an indication of the fly line weight that the rod has been designed to use most effectively. 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. Longer fly rods generally have a faster action than shorter fly rods, but shorter rods are more suited to fishing in tight situations such as narrow streams. 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.
For more information about the sport of fly fishing, take a look at the Fly Fishing Elite news feed at Feedraider.com.
