Fly Fishing Rods

Fly fishing can bring great joys and excitement to a sportsman at any level of experience. However, when it comes to outdoor endeavors it always pays to invest in quality equipment. Fly fishing rods which lack craftsmanship and quality can ruin even the best planned trip to the river with one quick ‘snap’.

In the past, fly rods were often made of bamboo or some other flexible wood. Now, the modern sportsman will generally choose between either a fiberglass or graphite rod, as they are vastly more durable and elastic than their wood precursors. These modern materials don’t break, rot, or get waterlogged- and are much more efficient in general.

Fiberglass is generally cheaper, though it weathers wear and tear a bit better than graphite. Graphite is more often used by experts and professionals, as it lends more accuracy to the sportsman’s cast, and is typically lighter than other fly fishing rods.

The rods also come in different levels of flexibility, or ‘actions’ as they are called by outdoor enthusiasts. The stiffer the rod the ‘faster’ the action and the less give they allow. Fast action rods make accuracy quite difficult for novices due to their thickness. Their real advantage lies in the size of the fish they can easily land.

However, most beginners would do well to start with a fairly slow action rod. These offer the most flexibility, and cast easily and accurately. They are recommended for casual fishermen only, as they do not handle larger fish very well due to their thinness and give.

Fly fishing rods also come in different lengths usually ranging somewhere between five and nine feet. Shorter rods are typically used for tight quarters, where brush and overhanging limbs make casting widely inadvisable. The longest rods are only recommended for places where obstacles are not a concern.

Cabela’s outfitters offer some of the best rods available. However, there are plenty of department stores to choose from, many of which are specifically geared towards providing sportsmen with quality hunting and fishing equipment. Wherever you decide to make your final purchase, make sure your material, action, and length match your level of skill and environment.

Make sure to check online as well, as some of the best deals on fly fishing rods are available on the internet. Check the internet auction house eBay for one of the largest selections available in one place. The site also offers a convenient buying guide which explains the different rods in detail.

Finding the right equipment can be fun, but it’s nothing compared to the fun you’ll have once you and your new rod actually make it out into the river and pull in that two pound speckled trout right in time for supper.