Things You Need To Know Before You Buy A Fly Rod

By Author: RiverBum
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Fly fishing is a great sport. It allows you to immerse yourself in nature as well as the challenge of catching a fish. My wife laughs at me when I feel so proud that I outsmarted a fish, but hey, that’s part of the challenge. The quintessential tool in fly fishing is getting a good fly fishing rod.

However, you cannot simply buy the first rod you find. You need to think about where you want to fish and what you want to catch. Moreover, you need to compare the different products available to you, including bass fishing rods and saltwater rods. That being said, here are the things you must know before you buy one:

Functions of the fly fishing rod:

It’s important to know the purpose of the rod for fly fishing. There are three:

1. Casting – It lets you cast the fly line with accuracy and power. Good fly casting skills with a good fly rod should enable the fly line and the fly to be properly presented to avoid spooking or startling the fish.

2. Line control – When the fly is already on the water, the fly rod should control the line. The rod enables you to mend the line for a proper presentation.

3. ...
... Striking and landing the fish – The fly rod sets the hook on the fish and fights and lands the fish. That said, it must be sufficiently strong and flexible to bend, even under great pressure, without snapping or breaking.

Identify your fishing objectives

Ask yourself: what kinds of fish do I want to catch? Your answer can help you determine whether you need a specific type of rod, like one for bass fishing or saltwater fishing. You will need different kinds of fly rods to fish different species. For bass you’ll want a heavier rod between a 5wt and a 8wt. For trout, between a 2wt and a 6wt. Saltwater fly fishing….you’re going to need between 8wt and 12wt.

Get to know fly rod action

Action pertains to the rod’s flexibility. As you explore the different kinds of fly fishing rods, you can differentiate them by the amount of flex or action they have measured on the backcast. If the rod bends more on the backcast, the more flexible it is. Fly rod action is determined as the following:

• Fast action or tip-flex – With a slightly bent tip and beneficial for long casts. Ideal fishing on a windy day, but not the best for beginners and short casts.

• Medium-action or mid-flex – The most versatile, as they do well in many different conditions. Easier to learn and ideal for freshwater trout fishing.

• Full-flex or slow action rods – Very flexible and suitable for fishing in small streams. Easy to learn for beginners despite lacking the utility found in medium action rods. Suitable for fishing small fish like panfish and brook trout.

The fly fishing rod is just one of the basic things you will need to get started with fly fishing. Be sure to get a high-quality rod along with an appropriate fly reel, fishing line, and flies from RiverBum. We’re your one-stop-shop for everything you will need to enjoy fly fishing and make it your new enjoyable sport or hobby.

This article is written by Ricky Martin, Pro Staff at RiverBum. RiverBum is a powerful new force in the fly fishing industry. RiverBum offers premium quality flies and gear at highly competitive prices. A family owned US business, RiverBum promotes the sport of fly fishing to all folks from every walk of life.