I want to buy a fly rod!

Brandon Ho FFI CCI

After deciding that you finally want to pick up fly fishing, the next question is: What type of fly rod should I buy? There is no easy answer for this as there are literally hundreds if not thousands of different types of rods out there, from cheap fly rods that cost no more than a good meal at a restaurant to one this is expensive enough to use as a down payment for a car. How does one simply decide on what to buy?

First, let’s take a look at what function does a fly rod perform?

A fly rod basically does 3 things:

1)    Casting the fly line – the rod serves to launch the fly line out, presenting the fly to the fish

2)    Controlling the movement of the fly – once the line is on the water, the fly fisher needs to move the fly in a way that would entice the fish to grab it and swim away. This is accomplished by using one hand to strip the line in through the guides of the rod.

3)    Hooking and fighting the fish – when a fish takes the fly, the fly fisher will use the rod to help set the hook and then control the movement of the fish using the rod to tire and control the fish until it is ready to be landed.

How to choose a fly rod?

Weight

If you are to go to a fly shop tell the shop assistant that you want to buy a fly rod, get ready to answer a few questions. The first and most important question would be: What do you want to catch? The answer will affect other aspects of the equipment that you will need.

The fly rod comes in many different sizes or weights ranging from wt 1 for small fish in small jungle streams to wt 6 for larger fish like jungle perch (sebarau) and to wt 12 for the speeding sailfish, and some bigger rods up to wt 14 for the offshore pelagic like giant tuna and marlin.

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Action

Once you have determined the size, you will need to decide on the action of the rod. Modern rods typically comes in 3 different actions. Actions refer to the flexibility of the rod of how much the rod flexes.

The action depends on how much the rod bends during a cast. The 3 different types of actions are:

1)    Fast action (tip flex)

Fast action rod or sometimes refer to tip flex rods as the name suggest is a rod that flexes at the tip. The rest of the length of the rod remains fairly straight. Since it bends only at the tip, it will take a shorter time for it to bounce back to its original position, hence the name fast action.

2)    Medium action (mid flex)

This types of rod starts bending from the middle of the rod, giving more time for the rod to bounce back to its original position. This is a more versatile rod and in my opinion, an easier rod to cast and more forgiving when a not so perfect cast is executed.

3)    Slow action (full flex)

As the name suggest, this rod bends the most, at the lower half of the rod. It requires a longer time to return to its original position after the cast. This type of rod is perfect for fly presentation. It is also more fun to fight a fish as it is a very flexible rod, allowing the fish to bend the rod with its every run.

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Fly rod length

Fly rods usually come in the range of 6 feet to 15 feet. The different lengths are used for different purposes. The length of the rod does affect the casting distance. Usually, a shorter rod is used in small streams with limited casting space. The shorter rod tends to be more flexible and has less backbone to fight large fish. For longer rods, it is easier to cast long distance and gives more control over the fish. For rods of 10 feet or more are usually spey rods or double handed rods.

The more common length of rods are 8 to 9 feet. It is more practical to cast and has the widest general use, from accuracy casting to gaining a bit more distance to reach the fish.

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Final considerations

How many pieces?

Due to the length of the fly rod, it usually comes in 2, 4 or more pieces for ease of storage and transport. In the past, the concern with the guides and finishing would affect the performance of the rod. That push was for the fly fishers to go for a few pieces as possible, but with the improvement in technology, these issues have become almost a non-issue.

Material

With the advancement in technology, newer materials are used to construct fly rod, each bringing its own advantage to the rod performance.

Graphite – this is the game changer when first introduced in the early 1970s. This material allows rod manufacturer to make lighter, stronger, more sensitive and durable rods. Many of today’s rods are made using this material.

Boron – this material was originally used in aerospace design. Boron fibers are usually added to the blank to make it stronger and more sensitive. Boron fibers on its own is very brittle and hard to work it.

Fiberglass – is making a comeback to fly rod scene. There is a good follower of fiberglass rods. Some casters like the slower action of the rods as compares to the faster graphite rods. This allow the casters to enjoy a slower casting stroke. The softer action also allows the rod to be cast at a more confine space as it loads well even with less line out. Another reason for its popularity is the enjoyment one gets from fighting a fish. The fight from a small fish is greatly emphasized by the fiberglass rod.

Bamboo – this is the original material for a bamboo rods. It is now seen a work of hard, dedicated to the skill of the craftsman. Putting art aside, bamboo rods can be a great rod to cast and catch fish with. Faster than a fiberglass rod but slower than a graphite rod, it is a great rod for those who enjoy the fluid movement of the cast. Imagine Brad Pit casting in the iconic movie “A River Runs Through It”.

Now, are you ready to take the plunge and dive into the world of fly fishing? The best way to get started is to talk to people who are passionate about this art form. Ask them all the burning questions that you have. Go try out a few rods, take your time. Fly fishing is about the journey and not the destination. There is always something new to discover around every bend in the river.