How to Choose a Fly-Fishing Rod

You have a lot of choices when it comes to rods, but consider a handful of factors to narrow the field quickly.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Backing/fly-fishing
• Fly-fishing Flies
• Fly-fishing Leaders
• Fly-fishing Lines
• Fly-fishing Reels
• Fly-fishing Rods

1. Buy a graphite rod. It will be light and pliable, and though it's a higher-end material and can be more expensive than some of the other options, it's more durable and will provide a smooth cast. Rods can start under $100, and go up from there.

2. Determine the action (bending resistance) of the rod. They come in fast, medium and slow actions. Beginners might want to start with medium-action rods. Fast-action rods break a lot of fish off when they strike because the tip is too stiff.

3. Check that the bend of the rod is smooth and even, whatever its action. Excessive bend might be a sign of a flaw - you want to avoid soft spots.

4. Review the different lengths of rods, which can vary from 4 to 18 feet. Anticipate what sort of weather and water conditions you're going to encounter. For tight spaces, consider shorter rods that won't get hung up when you cast.

5. Try out different grip shapes and sizes to see which is most comfortable and which allows you to feel more in control of the rod.

6. Practice casting them and see what feels good to you. The line should extend straight from the tip and end without bouncing back. There shouldn't be any waves in the line.

7. Check your fly shop for beginner's packages, which include rod, reel and line. Often you can get the basic tools more cheaply as a set without compromising quality.

Tips & Warnings

• Beginners probably won't be able to feel the difference in the actions of the different rods. Be sure to ask the clerk or store owner to let you know what the action is.

• Ask to take the rod outside and try casting it to see how the length, weight and grip feels in motion similar to what you will encounter fishing with it.