Fly Fishing Rods-Beginners Advice
Fly Fishing Rods are probably one of the most important areas of your tackle or equipment purchase. It is the Fly Fishing rod that should do the work from casting to hooking and eventually playing the fish successfully.
The market for Fly Fishing Rods is very competitive, from the top end to the intermediate and entrants sections. It is also a very personal thing, what suits me, may not suit you but I’m going to list a mix of Fly Rods that will give you some idea re cost and performance. In this blog, I will focus on just still water and boat angling fly rods.
A good Fly Fishing Rod will give you the ability to cast, control the line and hopefully catch plenty of fish. Worth noting that a Fly Rod can be divided into three distinct sections, the Tip , middle and the butt .
Main points re action of the Fly Rod, Fast action-basically implies that the tip is flexible. Speed of the Fly Rod (Blank)returning to its neutral straight position after casts describe its core attribute- fast, middle or soft. A soft action has give in its entire length, from tip to butt. The slower casting stroke characteristics of these rods will help aid beginners as it allows them to perfect their timing better. But you don’t get casting distance as with the other two. Middle to Tip-This rod action will see the rod bend through the tip to the midsection of the rod. This is the best fly rod for beginners you can feel the rod load up the line on the backcast. This makes it easier to perfect your timing on the backcast, as the action can be forgiving if your cast timing is not spot on. Fast action Fly Rods-their action lends to casting ability. technically they have more power (less flexion)than any of the other rod action type, which allows you too cast further. They also come into their own in windy conditions and also being brutal when playing fish. Not the ideal rod for beginners, ideally you need to be an experienced caster to get the maximum benefit of fast actioned rods.
Wt scale refers to the line density basically from 1-8, so Rods Wt1-4 usually used on rivers but some also use them on large still waters when fishing dries as it gives you more touch with the fish. You also have to match the Fly reel, Rod and Fly Line up with the same rating, so a Wt6 Fly Rod will be paired with a WT6 OR7 reel and Wt 6 or 7 Fly Line. Normally most still water and boat anglers use Wt 7 or Wt 8.
The length, for bank fishing, if that is what you intend to do, 9ft to 9ft 6inches should be good. For Boat angling 10ft or 10ft 6inches as you need that extra height for casting and landing the fish.
Things that you may Consider before investing in a Fly Rod
Some factors to consider when making a Fly Fishing Rod choice,
1-Budget-Very Important as you will need other stuff too.
2-River or Still Water, Bank or Boat.
3-Fast Action, Soft Action or Middle action etc
4-Length of rod and WT rating.
Most Fly Fishing rods like other modern rods are made of graphite and of high quality, you just need to find your own. Go somewhere you can try a cast or borrow friends to try out.
Some Good makes to consider
a-Greys
b-Wychwood
c-Shakespeare
d-Orvis
e-Sage
f-Scierra
g-Airflo
I personally have a mix owing to my river , small still water and large reservoir needs, I like the wychwood True Fly rods, these are no longer made but were a classic, light, reliable, budget and value for money. Also two Airflo V2 lite rods, excellent rods that are stiffer action , light, reliable, but slightly more expensive then the Wychwood. My Sage is my so called pleasure days dry rod, Wt 5 , probably my most expensive rod but a joy to cast, catch fish with on dries. Most of my small and large water rods are Wt 7 and 10ft.
