A Guide to Selecting a Fly Fishing Rod

Posted: October 9th, 2009 | Author: active-guy | Filed under: Outdoor Activity | Tags: fishing rod, fly fishing rod, fly rod | 1 Comment »

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. The fly fishing rod is one of the most important items of fly fishing equipment, so buying the correct rod is essential. The oldest and most basic fly fishing rod 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. 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. Graphite rods are lighter, allow you to cast more accurately, and provide more fighting power in the rod. Expert and beginner anglers are able to use these 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. Use these fly fishing rods to catch light fish.
• 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 rods are quite stiff, and can only flex near the tip of the rod. You can cast longer distances with these rods, and can also handle the bigger 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. 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. These rods allow you to handle more weight and to cast further.
• 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 Feedraider.com news feed for Fly Fishing Elite.

---