The first thing a fly fisherman needs to do when considering purchasing a new rod is to figure out the appropriate weight, length and price point. With those questions answered, the search becomes much more focused and enjoyable.
Determining the Best Rod Weight
When fly fishermen refer to the weight of a rod, they are not talking about how much the rod weighs. The rod weight is determined by the amount of weight it takes to bend the tip of the rod a certain distance. It isn't necessary to know the specifics of that formula; the weight is generally stamped or written on the butt section of the rod, just above the grip. All a new fly fisher needs to know is that a zero-weight rod will be very light, thin and “whippy”, whereas a 12-weight rod will be much thicker, heavier and stiffer. Most other rods will fall somewhere between these two extremes.
There are four main factors that determine your ideal rod weight – the size of the fish you will target, the size of the flies you will use to catch them, the size of the waters you will fish and the weather conditions you will typically encounter. Generally speaking, small fish require small rods. If fish size were the only criteria, most trout fishermen would only need very light rods. But if you will use larger flies that encounter a lot of wind resistance – bass poppers, for example – you will need a rod with more backbone. Likewise, if you fish in windy conditions, or on large rivers requiring longer casts, you should consider a heavier rod weight.
A 5-weight is widely considered the best all-round trout rod. It is delicate enough to deliver a mayfly imitation lightly to the surface of a quiet pool without scaring the fish, but it also has enough power to punch through a stiff breeze or to cast a larger fly -- or to cast split shot while nymphing. For bass, where large, wind-catching poppers are the fly of choice for many anglers, a 7- or 8-weight is more appropriate.
What Length Fly Rod is Best?
Rod length is largely a matter of personal preference. If you plan to fish streams in areas with lots of brush and overhead cover, a shorter rod is ideal. If you fish wide-open areas with plenty of room to cast, then you may want to go with something a little longer. If you are fishing from a boat or for large fish where you need the rod to assist in fighting the fish, you may want something longer again. The most common rod lengths are between eight and nine feet, and these will work well in most situations.
How Much Should You Spend on a Fly Rod?
Finally, you need to figure out what you can afford. Fly rods can be expensive, and there is a difference in quality between a cheap, department-store rod and an expensive fly shop rod. A good rule of thumb is to get the best rod you can realistically afford. However, for someone just starting out and working with a tight budget, the fact is cheap rods will catch fish. If you take to the sport and your budget allows, you can always upgrade later on to rods that look and cast a bit nicer.
There are other things to consider when buying a fly rod, such as graphite (most common) vs. bamboo (more expensive), rod action (medium is fine for most applications), whether to get a 2-piece rod or one with several shorter sections, and if you are fishing large water for big fish you may even want to consider a two-handed spey rod. But for most fishermen and most situations, determining the three factors above will go a long way towards narrowing down the choices.
Rob Wagner - A veteran journalist, producer and marketing professional, Rob spent more than a decade working in radio and television as a writer, ...
