| A fly fishing rod is the most important piece of | | | | and panfish up to and including #16 rods for large |
| fly fishing gear that you can buy. Fly Fishing rods | | | | saltwater gamefish. Fly rods tend to have a single, |
| are long, thin, flexible fishing rods, combined with | | | | large-diameter line guide (called a stripping guide), |
| heavy line, designed to cast a fly. A fly usually | | | | with a number of smaller looped guides (aka |
| consists of a hook tied with fur, feathers, foam, | | | | snake guides) spaced along the rod to help control |
| or other lightweight material. | | | | the movement of the relatively thick fly lines. Fly |
| There are a number of considerations that you | | | | fishing rods are long and light and combined with |
| should evaluate in selecting a fly rod to meet your | | | | heavy lines that provide the casting weight. Fly |
| individual needs. | | | | fishers use the weight and design of the line to |
| You should carefully research the materials that | | | | cast the fly quickly and efficiently, without reeling |
| are used to produce fly rods. Manufacturers | | | | in the line between casts. Fly rods are designed to |
| typically make fly fishing rods out of fiberglass or | | | | let you sense a strike, set the hook, and fight and |
| graphite. First, let's look at fiberglass. Experts and | | | | land the fish. Fly fishers speak of a "soul" in a rod, |
| beginners alike can use popular fiberglass fly rods | | | | a quality present in all great fly rods. |
| in most fishing conditions. By contrast, graphite fly | | | | As indicated earlier, instead of a weighted lure, a |
| rods are generally more expensive than fiberglass. | | | | fly rod uses the weight of the fly line for casting, |
| And, lightweight graphite fly rods typically allow | | | | and lightweight rods are capable of casting the |
| more accurate casting. | | | | very smallest and lightest fly. Typically, a |
| Let's examine the actions of different fly rod | | | | monofilament segment called a "leader" is tied to |
| types. Slow-action rods - you can reel in small | | | | the fly line on one end and the fly on the other. |
| lightweight fish with these flexible rods. | | | | A rod is usually also classified by the optimal |
| Slow-action rods have the most bend, making | | | | weight of fishing line or in the case of fly rods, fly |
| them difficult for beginners to control, but offer | | | | line the rod should handle. |
| great accuracy for short-range casting. | | | | To prevent interference with casting movements, |
| Medium-action fly rods - beginners usually find | | | | most fly rods usually have little or no butt section |
| medium-action fly fishing rods easy to handle. | | | | (handle) extending below the fishing reel. However, |
| Fast-action fly rods - Stiff fast-action rods bend | | | | the spey rod, a fly rod with an elongated rear |
| at the end of the rod and do not have a lot of | | | | handle, is often used for fishing either large rivers |
| give. | | | | for salmon and steelhead or saltwater surf |
| Shorter fly rods generally have less action than | | | | casting, using a two-handed casting technique. |
| longer rods because they generate less torque | | | | Note, that it is important for fishers to |
| when casting and reeling. Use short fly rods, | | | | experiment with several different types of fly |
| measuring less than eight feet, in tight fishing | | | | fishing rods to decide exactly what fits their style |
| situations where trees, bushes, stream size, or | | | | and ability. |
| other objects will restrict your movement. | | | | For your comfort level, fly fishing needs to be |
| Medium-sized fly rods, between eight and nine | | | | your supplier's passion in addition to it being their |
| feet, provide the action, casting control, and | | | | business. If possible, develop a personal |
| strength you may need. You can use | | | | relationship with him/her. They can be immensely |
| medium-sized rods in most fly fishing conditions. | | | | helpful to you. |
| Large fly rods measuring more than nine feet - | | | | Fly fishing normally happens in the most beautiful |
| make the ideal choice for longer casting and the | | | | natural surroundings where fly fishers often find |
| pursuit of big-game fish. | | | | themselves; a lonely meandering stream in the |
| Additional Design Details of Fly Fishing Rods: | | | | forest, a peaceful river deep between the valleys, |
| Fly rods come in a wide variety of line sizes, from | | | | or a tranquil blue lake somewhere up country. |
| size #0 rods for the smallest freshwater trout | | | | What a wonderful sport! |