| Picking a fly fishing rod is a tricky endeavor. Do | | | | experience should have a go at using fast rods. |
| you go with your ego, expected fishing | | | | Moderate Bend |
| environment or something else? While length is a | | | | The next step down from a fast rod is one with |
| factor, the bend or action of the rod is a key | | | | medium flexibility. These rods tend to have good |
| factor. | | | | flexibility, but the bend is restricted to the top half |
| Flexibility | | | | of the rod. The rod requires less perfection of |
| Fly fishing rods are often defined by their | | | | motion and timing, but is fairly accurate. If you've |
| flexibility. In laymen's terms, flexibility means how | | | | been angling for a while and have the basic |
| far the rods will bend when the same casting | | | | techniques down, a moderately flexible rod is |
| effort is used. | | | | worth a try. |
| Minimal Bend | | | | Slinky Bend |
| A fly fishing rod that has minimum bend is often | | | | If you are just taking up fly fishing, you should |
| called a "fast" rod. The lack of bend lets the | | | | use a rod with maximum flexibility. While others |
| angler get lots of speed on the cast. This speed | | | | suggest a moderate bend is better for beginners, |
| allows you to cast very accurately and farther | | | | a "slinky bend" rod gives you a lot of leeway |
| away than rods with more bends. While these | | | | when it comes to learning to cast. |
| benefits may sound great at first glance, a fast | | | | Fly fishing is relaxing and enjoyable. Pick the |
| rod can be frustrating. There is no room for error | | | | wrong rod, however, and it can quickly become |
| when using the rod. If you are going to use one | | | | frustrating and stressful. If you use your brain, |
| of these rods, you need excellent motion and | | | | not your ego, when picking a rod, you will have a |
| timing. Generally, only anglers with a lot of | | | | blast. |