| For many reasons, it is with some trepidation that | | | | are based on the same concept. And that is how |
| I approach this subject. As I have stated in | | | | much of the rod will bend, when casting. |
| previous articles about fly fishing gear, you ask 15 | | | | A fast (or super fast) rod will have only the tip |
| people, and you get 15 different opinions. Choosing | | | | bend, they offer the longest casting distances, |
| a fly rod is no different. In fact it might be the | | | | they also are great if you are fishing in the wind. |
| epitome of that statement. Fly anglers are picky | | | | Allowing for tighter casting loops, they are great |
| about their fly rods, and they love their fly rods. | | | | for shooting head lines, double-hauling casting |
| To many it is like comparing spouses, and if you | | | | techniques and are a treat for the skilled caster. |
| love your spouse then you have the best one. | | | | They are however, are harder to learn on and |
| But having said that we can lay down some | | | | therefore not recommended for one's first fly |
| truths about the fly rod industry, and then go into | | | | rod. |
| more specifics about the fine art of finding you a | | | | The next level down is medium and is the most |
| partner with which to share the passion of fly | | | | popular action being sold today. They flex further |
| fishing. | | | | down the rod than the fast action. Great for |
| What is it to be used for: | | | | beginners, it is also the choice of most |
| The first thought when selecting a fly rod, is it's | | | | experienced angler's who don't own a bunch of |
| most often intended use. Are you casting for | | | | rods. For beginners they are forgiving to learn on, |
| Tarpon or small trout on a creek? Most likely | | | | providing more accuracy then the super fast. |
| somewhere in between, and maybe even several | | | | They don't cast as far however, and you will |
| uses. You first need to think about the size of the | | | | battle the wind more in this type rod. |
| water you are mostly going to be fishing, and | | | | The last level is slow or full bend, often bending all |
| then the size of the fly you intend to cast. After | | | | the way to the grip. These rods are dying out, |
| that you need to consider the size of the fish you | | | | which is a shame, because for fishing small creeks |
| intend to catch. The rod size effects both the | | | | they are the best. They don't cast very far, but |
| casting and the playing of the fish. The nice thing | | | | you don't need that on tiny creeks, but what |
| is if you are both a smallmouth bass and a | | | | they do best is absorb the shock, so your tippet |
| rainbow trout fisher, you can probably get by | | | | doesn't get as stressed, there fore your chances |
| with one rod. The same for Largemouth and | | | | of snapping off the fly are reduced. |
| Steelhead and Salmon. You might not get the | | | | Grips: |
| ultimate choice for either, but depending on your | | | | The choice of grip is often over looked when |
| budget you can get a very nice choice for a | | | | choosing a fly rod. This is a mistake, as the grip is |
| variety of fishing conditions. | | | | important in the comfort of your fly rod in your |
| THE #'s: | | | | hand. Most decent fly rods these days use |
| Fly rod sizes are categorized by number's. Unlike | | | | standard cork as the material. full wells grips are |
| flies, where the smaller the number, the larger the | | | | the choice if you have large hands, and half wells |
| fly. Rods go by the larger the number the larger | | | | grips are popular with lady anglers. They both |
| the fly rod. A number 3 rod is a very light rod, | | | | many ways you can hold the rod, and your hand |
| used for small trout in small streams. A 12 wt. rod | | | | seems to naturally find it's preferred method of |
| is used for Tarpon, Stripers and other fish that | | | | holding the rod. It can also be altered once fatigue |
| need long distance casting, big flies. The most | | | | sets in, so you can fish longer without cramps. |
| popular all-around rods are in the 5-6 category, | | | | Manufacturer's: |
| here you can cover the whole gamut of trout | | | | There are many of them, and guess what, the |
| fishing and a good chunk of bass fishing as well. A | | | | most common names all make great fly rods. |
| number 6 rod can also tackle small steelhead and | | | | With the advent of graphite in the 70's the fly rod |
| other sea-run fish, if the angler is skilled. Most | | | | industry was revolutionized, and now one must |
| steelhead angler's will choose a bigger rod | | | | not spend a fortune for a bamboo rod, to enjoy |
| however, in the 7-9 range, and they can also fish | | | | great fly fishing. |
| salmon with that range as well. | | | | I, personally have fished almost every name |
| The other number to consider is length. 9' is by | | | | brand on the market today. Like every other |
| far the most popular length right now. You can | | | | angler I have my preferences but I must admit |
| cast a 9' long distances without getting tired, and | | | | the differences are nil, and I could probably learn |
| have good control of the drift. If fishing smaller | | | | to like any of them, just as well as the ones I |
| streams and or bushy areas, 9' will frustrate you, | | | | won. I currently own rods from Scott, LL Bean, |
| as there isn't enough room to maneuver it. Rods | | | | Loomis and Cabela's, and they all have |
| commonly go down to 7' and even shorter ones | | | | characteristics I love and some I would like to see |
| can be found. If doing a lot of fishing out of a | | | | improved, and I am a very happy owner of them |
| float tube, longer rods are common place, as one | | | | all. |
| can get more distance with a longer rod, and the | | | | I do look for the lifetime warranty, and it offered |
| extra length helps to keep the fly off the water | | | | by virtually all major rod maker's today. It is |
| on the backcast. | | | | figured into the price of the rod, and you must |
| Action: | | | | register your rod upon purchase to qualify for it. |
| Here it gets even more complicated, as different | | | | But if you have your rod for any length of time |
| manufacturers call the action of their rod different | | | | you will undoubtedly be glad you have it. Whether |
| things. But basically action can be broken down | | | | you broke your rod tip off fighting a fish, trying |
| into slow, moderate and fast. Many | | | | to free a snag, or in the car door, most rod |
| manufacturers have 4 classification, but they all | | | | makers will send you a replacement. |