Choosing a fly rod...

Fly fishing is a very popular sport, attracting hundreds of people every year, however beginners often get confused and I've heard this question many times 'what rod should I use'? Generally there is no best rod, each has its purpose and you will need to decide where you intend to fish and what species you want to catch.

Rod length.

This is a hotly debated topic, however it is down to you to choose what length you want. A fully grown adult or a teenager should be fine casting a 10ft rod, however a young child would probably be better off with something much shorter, around 8ft. Shorter rods generally have the advantage of being able to achieve greater distances, this is because the loops in the line are tighter and a shorter rod generates more line speed, hence more distance. Shorter rods are also used on rivers, where heavy undergrowth can make the usage of a long rod very diffcult. However if you are fishing from a boat on a large reservoir or any other stillwater, a longer rod has its advantage of having more control of the fly at the other end, line pick-up is also greater.

What line rating?

This is also very important, and it will depend on the species sought and where you intend to fish. Fly rod manufacturers generally stick to a line rating code to keep things simple, this generally ranges from 0 weight to a 12 weight. See the chart below to help you choose.

Line rating:
Small streams and brooks for trout- #2-3 weight.
Small-medium sized rivers for trout and grayling- #3-4 weight
Larger rivers for trout and grayling- #5-6 weight
General stillwater trout fishing- #5-7 weight
Large reservoirs- #6-8 weight
Big fry patterns- #8-9 weight
Pike- #9-10 weight
Sea trout- #7-8 weight
Salmon- #8-12 weight (will depend on the size of the river and the water level).
UK saltwater- #7-9 weight
Bonefish- #8-9 weight
Tarpon, Barracuda, Parrotfish and other large game fish- #10-12 weight.

Rod action.

Rod action will also influence choice, fly rods typically come in rod actions from a slow to what is known as a fast or tip action, with medium, mid or intermediate action being somewhere in between.

Slow action rods are great for short distance casting on rivers and small stillwaters and are a joy to use when playing fish but they aren't ideal for distance casting, windy conditions or when using big flies, for this you will need a mid-tip action rod. Slow action rods need a slow, smooth casting stroke to load them properly and tip action rods need a faster casting stroke.



In conclusion neither rods are generally ideal for the beginner, instead look for something with a medium action, this is perfect for all round use and has the best of both worlds, these rods are great for use with all flies from small dries to larger lures and are forgiving when playing a fish.

Remember to try a rod out before parting with your cash, make sure you are comfortable with it and ensure that you can cast properly with it, don't just give it a quick wiggle in the tackle shop. Some tackle shops have facilities that allow you to test the rod with a line on water