Best Fly Fishing Rod: Things You Need to Know Before You Buy a Fly Rod
Fly fishing is a hobby that has seen huge advancements with technology throughout the years. While the fish and flies are still the same, the advances in the fly rods, reels and fly lines have improved tremendously, especially in the last 30 years. As the popularity of fly fishing has increased exponentially, the competition to produce the best fly fishing rods has heated up with many manufactures competing to produce the next best fly fishing rods. It takes time on the water to develop a feel for what a person will like the most, so to speed up the process, below is a quick guide to ensure you start you fly fishing career the right way with the right gear, starting with a fly rod.
Fly Fishing Rod Basics: Fly fishing rods vary from standard fishing rods in that with a fly rod you are casting the line compared to a standard rod that casts the lure. It takes much less to build a rod that casts a weighted lure than it does to cast an almost weightless line that is designed to lay on the water with maximum delicacy. Therefore, a fly rod of any quality will be a bit more expensive than your standard fishing rod. In fact, for a person just starting out bait fishing, a cheap rod will work just fine. It is quite the opposite with fly fishing rods. A quality made rod will enhance your experience tremendously when compared to a superstore combo pack where you get a complete setup, including rod, reel, line, tippet, and even flies, for under $50.00. If you are expecting to continue to fly fish, that will be money well wasted.
Materials: Throughout the years, fly rods have seen many changes in the materials that are used to construct them.
· Bamboo has been a longtime favorite for its action and nostalgia, but is expensive and not typically the best pick for someone’s first fly fishing rod.
· Fiberglass, though strong with lots of action, is heavy and almost nonexistent in the fly fishing world these days.
· Graphite: The best bet for a first fly rod, as well as the top pick for experienced anglers, are rods made out of a type of graphite. Graphite rods are light and can be designed to put the flex where it is needed, which change depending on the situations an angler plans to put themselves into.
Weight: The size of line that a rod is designed to cast is known as the weight (wt) of the rod. This also signifies the size of fish you will most likely be targeting where the lower the weight of rod, the smaller the fish you will be after. For example, a 4 wt rod is ideal for dry fly trout fishing, where as a 10 wt rod is designed to cast big flies at big fish such as King Salmon. Follow the link below at the end of this article to see what weight rod will be best designed for the type of fly fishing and size of fish you will most likely be encountering.
Length: With different types of fish, in many different types of areas throughout the world, different length of rods must be developed to handle the varying conditions one may find themselves in. For trout in small streams with lots of brush and trees, a six or seven foot rod may be ideal, while on a big river fishing for steelhead a 14 foot spey rod might be the best option. For most situations though, a 9 foot rod will be the most popular and most versatile in the most situations that a beginner will encounter.
Rod Sections: Most fly rods will be able to be broke down for times when not in use and for travel, much like standard rods. Due to the length of the rods though, a rod that breaks down into two pieces is still going to be long and not travel all that well, especially if you are to be backpacking or flying with your rod. That is why it is advised to go with a rod that breaks down into 4 pieces. The connections for the sections, called ferrels, are so well made these days that you will not know it is 4 sections.
About the Author
A fly rod is the first and also the most important item in a list of things that will be needed to get into this hobby. Once you decide on a rod, you will then need to choose a line and reel to go with it. To ensure you get your money’s worth and the “Best Fly Fishing Rod” setup that you will be able to use for a lifetime, make sure to go to www.OnlineFlyFishingGuide.com where we will be able to specify a certain fly rod designed for the situations you will be dealing with and tailored to your budget.
How to Cast a Fishing Rod
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Popeil PF2003 Pocket Fisherman $18.99 Popeil Pocket Fisherman This is the famous Popeil Pocket Fisherman that has thrilled generations! The double-flex rod is hinged into the closed position when stored away. When ready to use, simply unfold until it snaps into the fully extended position. Also features an automatic anti-reverse that prevents the handle from turning backwards. The handle of the Popeil Pocket Fisherman is also a m… |
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EMMROD Packer Combo w/ 4 coil Casting rod Black – Model PackerCmb4coil Fishing Rod Reel $69.95 … |
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Stick Jacket Casting Fishing Rod Cover Neon Green $7.05 The Best Fishing Rod Sleeve Available No More Tangles Stick JacketTM fishing rod covers prevent rod tangles and are easy to use. Their unique braided construction and wide expandability means easy on & off installation. They may be used over large line guides on fully rigged rods. Unlike cloth sheaths, barbed hooks are easily removed. Stick Jacket rod covers are great in boat rod lockers, rod … |
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Breakaway: Fishing and Long Casting $39.99 Long casting, rigs, rods, casting techniques plus fishing hot tips to catch more fish…. |
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Worm Fishing Techniques with Ken Cook (Proper Selection of Plastic Worms, Casting, Retrieving and Hook Set) $35.00 U.S. Bass World Champion, Ken Cook, demonstrates his worm fishing techniques in this half hour video. Proper selection of plastic worms, casting, retrieving and the all important “hook set” are all a part of Ken’s presentation. Ken Cook presents the facts and techniques that will improve your bass fishing. In the course of instructing bass fishing seminars across the country Ken is always asked… |
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Joan Wulff’s Dynamics of Fly Casting: From Solid Basics to Advanced Techniques $14.99 A totally dynamic DVD adaption! Joan shows and explains the mechanics and techniques she has been developing and refining for more than 60 years. You will learn the important elements of great casting, vital hand and arm movements, practice routines that will teach you how to make almost all kinds of casts, along with some very special tips. You will learn everything…from Solid Basics to Advance… |
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Casts that Catch Fish $29.95 Learn the top fly fishing presentation casts that really do catch more fish.An intensive one on one fly casting workshop with Master fly casting instructor Carl McNeil.”An indispensable reference for years to come”Never have I seen such excellent flycasting footage – the Fly Fisher Journal”Casts that Catch Fish, a DVD that brings gorgeous cinematography to the how-to genre. It’s a very existing co… |
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Art of Spey Casting $24.55 Spey Casting with a single-handed rod? YOU BET! Learn the basic and advanced Spey Casting techniques for both Single and Two-Handed Rods. Watch and learn as 17 of the world’s best casters share their styles and skills through multi-camera coverage of easy-to-follow demonstrations on rivers in actual fishing situations. Chapters include: 13 detailed demonstratons of spey casting techiques; and 6… |
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Berkley Fishing Tactix IM7 1pc 5′ 6 Medium Casting Rod … |
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DAI SEALINE SURF 2P 11′0^HSC R $60.49 DAIWA SEALINE SURF 2 PIECE 11′0″ HSC ROD… |
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Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Fishing Rod $99.99 This Veritas Rod from Abu Garcia features a durable, lightweight graphite construction with a sensitive feel. This action casting fishing rod also spotlights a taut single-piece design. |
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Abu Garcia Vendetta Casting Fishing Rod $89.99 This Vendetta Rod from Abu Garcia features a durable, lightweight graphite construction with a sensitive feel. This action casting fishing rod also spotlights a taut single-piece design. |
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Fishing Rod with Spin Cast Rele for Wii $17.08 Description not available. |
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Abu Garcia Vendetta Casting Fishing Rod $79.99 This Vendetta Rod from Abu Garcia features a durable, lightweight graphite construction with a sensitive feel. This action casting fishing rod also spotlights a taut single-piece design. |
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Abu Garcia Verdict Casting Fishing Rod $139.99 This Verdict Rod from Abu Garcia features a durable, lightweight graphite construction with a sensitive feel. This action casting fishing rod also spotlights a taut single-piece design. |
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Abu Garcia Verdict Casting Fishing Rod $129.99 This Verdict Rod from Abu Garcia features a durable, lightweight graphite construction with a sensitive feel. This action casting fishing rod also spotlights a single-piece design. |
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Abu Garcia Revo S Righ-handed Casting Reel $109.99 This Abu Garcia Revo S Righ-handed Casting Reel features nine stainless steel ball bearings and is corrosion resistant. This high-quality casting reel features 24 max drag and is made of stainless steel. |
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Daiwa Exceler 100 HL Left-handed Casting Reel $64.99 This Daiwa Exceler 100 HL Left-handed Casting Reel features Magforce Z anti backlash control and eight stainless steel ball bearings. This casting reel can accomodate 150 yards of 12 pound line. |
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Quantum Classic MG1420 Right-handed Casting Reel $72.99 This Quantum Classic Casting Reel features a low-profile design with the line capacity of a larger reel. This casting reel features an adjustable cast control system to fine-tune your cast for a variety of weights and conditions. |
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Quantum Energy 101 Casting Reel $130.99 This Quantum Energy 101 Casting Reel features a machined aluminum frame, side covers and front support. The saltwater reel also has a smooth ceramic drag system and micro ACS cast control. |
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Zebco SpongeBob Squarepants Floating Fishing Combo $14.78 This Zebco SpongeBob Squarepants Fishing Pole is perfect for any child over the age of 4. This easy to use fishing pole casts by simply pushing in the button and letting it fly. |
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Quantum Catalyst CT101SPTS Left-handed Baitcasting Reel $86.99 This Quantum Catalyst CT101SPTS Left-handed Baitcasting Reel features the power and speed of a much larger reel. This saltwater casting reel features seven stainless steel ball bearings and weighs less than eight ounces. |
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Quantum Catalyst CT101HPTS Left-handed Baitcasting Reel $92.99 This Quantum Catalyst CT101HPTS Left-handed Baitcasting Reel features the power and speed of a much larger reel. This saltwater casting reel features seven stainless steel ball bearings and weighs less than eight ounces. |
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Two-Handed Fly Casting: Spey Casting Techniques $15.9 Finally, the elements of two-handed fly casting are demystified! Two-handed rods ahve moved from relative obscurity to the forefront of modern fly-fishing. Their advantages over single-handed rods are undeniable, especially on large rivers, and place |
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Rod Building Guide (Paperback) $9.76 Description not available. |
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Zebco Dora the Explorer Floating Fishing Combo $16.33 This Dora the Explorer Starter Fishing Pole is perfect for any child over the age of 4. This easy to use fishing pole casts by simply pushing in the button and letting it fly. |