Evaluating Fly Fishing Rods Before Making Purchase
When looking for new fly fishing rods, remember to match them to the type of fishing you will be doing as well as the size of the fish you are expecting to catch. The material of which the fly fishing rods are made will play a role in its performance as well its price with fiberglass being less expensive than graphite. Fiberglass rods are usually more durable than graphite rods, but the lighter graphite rods provide better accuracy for casting.
For fishing in waters where most of the casts will be short, a slow-action, flexible fly fishing rods have the most bend and should be used when angling for smaller fish. Medium action fly fishing rods, perhaps the best for beginners offer less flexibility and rod will bend in the middle and the tip when pulling in the fish. For larger fish or for casting lost range, a fast action rod is the better choice, although they lack the casting accuracy associated with lighter rods.
The length of the fly fishing rods also varies by the type of fishing you will be doing as well as the situations in which you will be casting. A medium length rod of between eight and 10 feet can provide better casting accuracy and strength and is often recommended for beginners.
Keeping Flies Out Of The Vegetation
If you are experienced enough to fish in tight quarters such as under trees or bushes or in small streams, short fly fishing rods of under eight feet will be better suited. Rods between eight and ten feet can handle bigger fish and will be needed for longer casts on wider streams or rivers. If you are fishing in larger bodies of water requiring longer casts or catching bigger fish, fly fishing rods longer than 10-feet is recommended. Graphite or fiberglass is an individual choice, as well as available budget.
It is recommended for beginners to start with medium length and medium flex fly fishing rods until they learn to control their casts and can do so accurately. Whenever you buy a new rod you should take it to a wide open area and use a dummy fly, that is one without a hook, and practice casting until you get a feel for the new rod.
Once you gain experience and can control the distance and accuracy of your casts, you can change to longer fly fishing rods with more flexibility to improve the length and overall efficiency of your casting.
Differences on Fly Rods
The fly rod comes in several sizes. Its length typically ranges from as short as 6 ft to as long as 13 ft. Aside from the length, fly fishing rods are measured by their weight. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the value of the weight, the smaller the fish it can catch. For example, a fly rod of 0wt (zero weight) is enough to catch a small trout. For bigger types of fish such as a salmon, a fly rod of a heavier weight is used.
A fly rod's weight is also important in determining the weight of the fly line that can be used with it. So a rod of 10wt requires a #10 line and could not use a line of a different size. There are rods which can accommodate a variety of weights but they tend to compromise performance for flexibility.
Bamboo is the traditional material used as a fly rod. It is prized by fly fishing enthusiasts for its surprising strength in typical conditions. It can be pricey though, which is why others choose rods made of alternative materials such as fiberglass and graphite. The two are chosen for their durability (they are not prone to rusting) and performance (they are lighter compared to other materials).
