With a baitcasting or spinning
When casting a fly the the line moves because of it’s own weight and the energy generated by the rod. That’s why it’s so important to optimally match your rod/reel and line.
How Do You Choose a Fly Rod?
There’s a lot that goes into properly casting a fly. Casting requires enough energy generated by the rod to propel the line during the cast. That’s why we refer to fly rods based on the weight of line that they’re designed to hold.
Different Fly Rod Weights
Fly rods are rated by weight, but I’m not talking about their physical weight. The rod weight indicates the the size fishing line that pairs with the rod. Generally speaking you can go up or down one line size on the same rod.
When trying to choose a rod you need to determine what species of fish you’re going after and what size fly you are going to be throwing. If you’re just getting into the hobby and don’t know much about flies don’t worry. Just base your rod choice on the type of fish you’re going after.
Fly Rod Weight By Fish Species
- 1-3 Weight: Use for small trout and panfish. Perfect for those extremely delicate presentations with tiny light flies. Works best in small slow moving streams.
- 4-6 Weight: This is your all-purpose trout fishing rod. Use it with bigger flies on large streams and river. Generally speaking, a 5 weight rod is the best all around rod for trout fishing. If you’re just getting into the hobby check out this Wild Water 5/6 weight starter package.
- 7-8 Weight: Personally I only use my 7-8 weight rods for bass and saltwater fishing. Best used in larger rivers and lakes where you need a little punch behind your heavier flies.
- 9-11 Weight: Use these heavier weight rods for targeting saltwater species, salmon and steelhead. You need a lot of weight behind your fly to get off those long casts. When working fast rivers it’s not unusual to need longer 40-80 foot casts. You can also use these weights when working saltwater flats for bonefish and small tarpon.
- 12-15 Weight: Only use heavier rods for targeting big game in deep sea water. With a lot of
practice you should be able to play and land sailfish, tarponand tuna.
Using Bigger and Smaller Line in Your Rod
Making things even more confusing most fisherman like to play around with their line weight. That’s why modern rods are designed to use slightly lighter and heavier line weight.
To get a little more distance out of your lines use a rod lighter than your line. For example pair a 5 weight rod with 6 feet line to get a little more distance out of your trout rod.
By the same token going with line lighter than your rod will give you more sensitivity. Remember that thinner line cuts through
What’s The Best Fly Rod Length?
When figuring out the best rod length it’s important to remember that a fly rod works like a long flexible lever. Keeping this in mind it’s easy to understand the physics behind longer rods.
Longer rods work like a trebuchet launching the fly. The longer the arm the more power and therefore distance you’ll get out of the fly.
Unless you’re just going to be working smaller streams I’d highly recommend choosing a longer 8-9 foot rod. Just look at the extremely popular Orvis Encounter Fly Rod Outfit. It’s so popular because it’s the perfect weight and length for trout.
Fly Rod Length For Trout
Fly casters that are going after trout should select a rod that’s either 8′ or 9′ in length. Definitely go with the 9′ rod if you plan on doing any salmon or steelhead fishing. The added length will give you more weight behind your casts.
Select a Lighter Rod
When looking for a rod you should always keep
Throughout the course of a day a little bit of weight will start to add up. With everything being equal go with the lighter rod.
Different Grip Styles
Fly rod handles are typically made out of cork, but they come in a wide variety of shapes. Most people go with the classic cigar style rod, but it doesn’t offer much support.
For more support go with either a half-well or full-well handle. This is especially important when going after bigger saltwater fish.
On heavier rods, designed for big game, you’ll see a knob on the handles end. This knob called a “fighting butt” can be pressed into your thigh for more leverage. Use this style rod for fighting salmon, steelhead and saltwater species.
Guides
As a general rule of thumb there is one guide for every foot on your rod plus an additional tip-top. So for a 7 foot rod you should have a total of 8 guides.
Look for a large butt guide(guide closest to handle) that doesn’t restrict the line as it passes through. Remember that the line passes through at an angle so small guides might restrict your line.
Examining a Rod
- Sight along the length of your rod. Keep an eye out for straightness as you rotate the rod.
- Make sure the guides are lined up straight and the wrappings are secure. An even coat of varnish will help prevent the wrapping from coming apart.
- If the handle is made out of cork make sure that it’s not cracked and dried up. The handle should feel solid and snug without any cracks or gouges.
- Is the reel seat snug and secure? Install the reel and test it out to see how she feels.
- Checking to see how the rod feels is the most important step of all. You can cast a dozen rods, all the same length, and they’ll all feel different. The only way you can really tell how a rod feels is by casting it in the store.