Selecting a Fly Rod

When choosing a fly rod, there are a few factors you should consider. One is what type of fish are you after? Is it a small Brown trout in the lakes, a big salmon or are you fly fishing for a saltwater species like a bonefish or even a shark?

While a good fly rod can handle a lot of species and conditions, knowing what you are after will help in selecting your rod. Generally when picking a fly rod, the guide is, "The bigger the fish, the bigger equipment needed to land them".

Another aspect to think about is what type of water and fishing conditions are there? There is a big difference between, fishing the saltwater flats and a narrow overgrown stream. Normally the bigger open water will require a longer rod and the smaller stream a shorter rod where there isn't much room for back casts.

Casting a big heavy saltwater fly will need a heavier rod as well.

Fly fisherman who have been angling for a while, may have a couple of specialty rods to suit the different fishing conditions and target fish.

Fly rods have different characteristics and actions, from slow to fast. This action is how the rod loads up to the cast, or the amount of flex the rod has. For a beginner, a rod somewhere in the medium range would be okay to start with. A good quality rod will cast smoothly and with a balanced line and outfit, will help make casting more proficient.

Fly rods have different sizes; they are categorized with the numbers to make choosing a fly line that will suit the rod easier. Such as a 5 - weight rod will match a 5-weight fly line. A 7 - weight fly line will match a 7-weight fly rod. These numbers ensure that the fly line isn't too heavy or too light for the rod, so it casts more efficiently.

Fishing rods have made an immense bound in their ability to cast smoother and further, with the use of modern high tech materials. Fly rods have come a long way from the split bamboo rods used decades ago. A good quality fly rod can last you years of angling fun. Most times you don't even have to catch a fish to enjoy the sport of fly fishing.

For more Fly Fishing tips and information, go to Fly Fishing Rod or Sage Fly Rods Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Alan_Howlett