Graphite Fly Rod Types

Weight

• Fly rods are classified by weight, from 1 to 14. The weight isn't the actual weight of the rod itself, though higher- weight rods do tend to weigh more because they are made of heavier materials The smaller the number, the smaller and lighter the flies the rod can cast. You would use a 1 weight rod for small trout and panfish; or, use a 14 weight for large saltwater fish, salmon, and steelhead. A 5 weight rod is a good all-around rod for freshwater fishing. It's not so light that it can't handle larger fish, and not so heavy that smaller fish are overpowered by the rod.

Action

• A rod's action describes where the rod bends. Action is described as fast, medium, or slow. A fast action rod bends mostly in the top 1/3rd section. Medium action rods bend start to bend about halfway up the rod's length. Slow action rods start to bend in the bottom 1/3rd section. Fast action rods are used for long casts with heavier flies. They also allow more power and control when fighting the fish, but may break off light tippets when casting. Medium action rods are a good choice for most waters; they allow for medium to long-range casts with smaller flies, and allow the angler to put decent pressure on when fighting the fish. Slow-action rods allow anglers to make short to mid-range casts with extremely light flies, but are very whippy and don't allow you to put much pressure on large fish.

Length

• Fly rods are generally longer than other types of rods. A short rod is seven feet in length. Shorter rods allow for better casting under cramped conditions, but they cannot cast as far as longer rods, and the line is difficult to control under windy conditions. An eight-foot rod is a good all around length for average sized rivers. NUse nine foot rods for lakes and larger rivers, and for anglers who fish using float tubes. Since they sit closer to the water, you need a longer rod to cast from a float tube. Otherwise the line will strike the water behind the angler on the backcast.

Benefits of Graphite

• Manufacturers make fly rods of a variety of materials, including bamboo, fiberglass, and boron. Graphite is the most common material in modern fly rods, since it is lighter than fiberglass and relatively inexpensive compared to boron. Graphite comes in a variety of models and weights. Generally speaking, the lighter and more sensitive the rod, the more expensive it is. Fly rods can cost anywhere from $100 to over $600.