Fly Fishing Rods

Choosing the correct flyrod will help you present your fly correctly,
and therefore improve your catch.

This choice can be very difficult, and several things have to be taken into consideration,
but below is a basic guide to help you make the right choice.

As all fly rods are designed to cast a specific line weight,
step one is to determine your choice of line.

This choice should be based on your target species,
water conditions and the size of flies you will be using.

Line weight range from #1 to #15, with the general guide line being
the lower the line weight, the smaller the flies and target species.

Low line weights can make a more delicate presentation of small flies
than heavier lines, but is difficult to use in windy conditions.

When casting large flies for big freshwater species,
or fishing in saltwater for some of the many shallow water species,
the medium line weight is the best choice.

If blue water game fishing is in your plans,
the choice of line weight should be #11 or up

Step two is to choose a suitable rod length.

Less than 8 foot fly rods are considered short rods.
When fishing at locations with limited space, these rods are a "must".

The 8 - 9 foot rods are the most popular rods, and they are better than the shorter rods
for casting distance as well as line control.

Over 9 foot rods are best suited when fishing open water, rivers and saltwater bays or flats.
They offer great casting ability as well as optimal line control.

Step three is to decide rod taper.

Rod Taper is a term used to describe where the rod flexes under load.

Taper Classes:

Extra Fast.
Fast.
Medium Fast.
Medium.
Slow.

As the rod taper descends from Extra Fast to Slow,
the flex transfers through the rod towards the butt section,
giving a more parabolic flex of the rod.

A fly rod with a fast taper mainly flexes in the top section,
allowing quick, tight casting strokes
and therefore offers a benefit in windy conditions.

A fly rod with a slow taper offers a more parabolic flex of the rod.
This taper class offers a more delicate presentation, even with close range casts.

Another benefit of a slow taper is the improved ability to absorb shock loads,
which is essential when using very fine tippets.