Fly Fishing Rods

Buying a fly rod  is a fairly simple process if you have been fly fishing before. You probably already know what kind of fish you are going after and know a thing or two about what you personally like in a rod; the weight, flex and overall feel. And most likely, you have your favorite fishing hole or spot that you frequent. All these factors will play a part in which rod to buy. This guide should help you wade through the options so that you can find the perfect new rod at a price you can afford.

(From Dick's Sporting Goods & Flyfisherman.com)
Fishing Type	Fly Size	Line Weight	Rod Length	Action
Offshore Saltwater/Large Fish	1/0-5/0	10-14	8' to 9'	Fast
Saltwater Flats	2-8	6-10	8' to 9'	Medium to Fast
Tarpon/Game Fish	3/0-2	11-12	8' to 9.5'	Fast
Steelhead/Salmon	1/0-8	7-9	8' to 15'	Medium to Fast
Bass/Pike	3/0-6	7-9	8' to 9.5'	Medium to Fast
Trout Lakes	2-22	4-7	9' to 9.5'	Slow to Medium
Large Trout Rivers	4-22	5-7	8' to 9.5'	Slow to Medium
Small Trout Rivers	6-22	3-6	7' to 9.5'	Slow to Medium
Spring Creeks/Delicate Fly Presentation	14-26	0-4	7' to 9'	Slow

Deciphering the Chart

The chart on the right should help you discern which size rod you'll need for the type of fishing you're planning. Below, learn more about what it all means.

• Rod Length
• Rod length can be anywhere between 6' and 15'.
• Very short or very long rods are often reserved for specialized fly fishing. For beginners and those needing a more versatile rod, choose a length somewhere between 7' and 12'.
• Line Weight
• The strength of a line is described as line weight.
• The heavier and stronger the fish, heavier and stronger the line you need.
• A heavier line weight is best for windy conditions, casting for distance, bigger flies and fast currents.
• A lighter line is best for precision casting and delicate presentation.
• Composition Materials
• Fly rods were originally made with bamboo. Bamboo is still used by some leisurely dry fly fishers. Bamboo rods are hand-made, tend to be very expensive and harder to maintain.
• Man-made materials, such as fiberglass and graphite, are the preferred choice of most sport fly fishers today because of the ease of maintenance, low costs and strength of the synthetic materials. There is an increasing number of premium composite fly rods available such as carbon graphite,  graphite boron  and graphite titanium. 
• Beginners might opt for fiberglass since it is cheaper.
• Seasoned anglers may prefer the versatility and strength of a graphite rod despite higher costs.
• Action/Flex
• The action or flex of a fly rod is measured by where a rod bends. A slow action rod bends closer to the butt of a rod, while a fast action rod will bend closer to the tip.
• When considering how much action you want a rod to have, you'll also want to consider how much power a rod has. The more power is has, the harder it will be to bend.
• Fast action is desirable when fighting large fish or casting in windy conditions, while more action gives a better feel for delicate presentation.

Models and Makes

Below are some of the newest fly fishing rod models for 2006/2007 made by some of the most popular manufacturers. Click on the manufacturer name to see the gamut of each company or check out what  the featured products have to offer by clicking on the links for the individual models.

Orvis  Orvis makes a wide variety of high-quality fly rods. The newest one, Zero G 107-4 Fly Rod  for Salt or Freshwater, is esteemed for being 25% stronger and thinner than other rods. This new technology, called "Zero Gravity," uses strong yet light thermoplastic-toughened resin. Each rod from the line is priced at $625. Choose from line weight (4 to 9) and length (8'6" to 10') to get the right fit.	Sage  The Z Axis  series of premium fly rods by Sage are best for quick, precise casting and are a remodeled version of the beloved XP series. They are light, strong and versatile and come in two-, four- or one-piece models. The biggest improvement is in the rod's sensitivity, responsiveness and feel. Line weight varies from four to eight and rod length is nine feet. Cost is about $600.	St. Croix  The award-winning Legend series is the most popular by St. Croix and their most recent edition is the Legend Ultra Fly  and Legend Spey.  Made with high-modulus SCIV graphite for extra reinforcement and a patented "polycurve" technology, these are light yet strong and priced from $300 to $400. The Ultra line offers a multitude of lengths for various line weights. All are fast action rods and most are four-piece models.	Scott  The X2S Fly Rod  is the newest saltwater rod for 2007. It is available in 6 to 12 line weight. It's highly calibrated for specific needs and ultra-reinforced, these rods are accurate, fast and quiet. Cost is about $600. Also check out the popular SupR-Ply rods.	Thomas & Thomas  The fast action Horizon series  is one of the most popular lines by this premium fly rod manufacturer and it has just been improved with a bi-angular helix interior that will help reduce torque and twisting. The advanced technology will also provide more strength in a lighter rod and enhanced feel down to the tip and beyond. Prices start at $650 and go up to $840.

Fly Fishing Glossary

• Dry Fly Size: A dry fly  is a type of lure used to resemble a floating insect on the water's surface. It will vary in size depending on what type and size fish you are trying to catch. This method of fly fishing depends heavily on presentation skills combined with good casting and the proper rod.
• Streamer Fly Size: A streamer fly,  a type of wet fly, is meant to mimic a fish underwater. They might look like drowned or aquatic insects, and again, they vary in size.
• Tippets: Tippets  attach the leader to the fly and come in varying strengths, which must be chosen in accordance to the type of fish you are trying to catch. The lower the "x" number, the stronger and larger the tippet.

External Links

• eBay.com: An excellent buying guide; takes you step-by-step through the process and details your options.
• GearReview.com: An article on mid-priced rods. The site also has individual product reviews.
• FliesandFins.com: A forum discussion on the differences (or lack thereof) between rods.
• Wikifaq.com: Main questions about buying a fly fishing rod, answered.
• Orvis.com: All the terms you should know when getting into fly fishing.
• Fly-Fishing.topiccenter.com: Tip #2 of 101 fly fishing tips (this one is about rods).
• Keone Bamboo Fly Rods: Informative site about bamboo fly fishing rods
• Wikipedia.org: Relatively brief but informative article that contains the history of fly fishing, popular locations for angling, and a look at rods.
• TheItinerantAngler.com: Multimedia site with articles, podcasts, photos, you name it.