Author: By Ian Botham
In the sport of fly fishing, your
rod is one of your most important pieces of equipment. Fly rods come in
various shapes and sizes, and which one you choose depends a lot on how
you are going to be using the rod.
Fly fishing rods come rated in terms of the net weight they can
handle (designated by nwt). That means if you are fishing waters for
fish up to 8 pounds, you should use an 8 nwt rod. The higher the number,
the bigger fish the rod will be able to handle.
Some rods are multi-rated (i.e. 8-10 nwt). These rods are good because
they can handle a variety of situations, but you will sacrifice
flexibility in the performance of the rod. A multi-rated rod is good for
beginning fly fishermen because of it’s ability to adapt to various
fishing scenarios.
Rods are made of three different materials: fiberglass, graphite, and
bamboo. Fiberglass rods are the best choice for beginners. They
are durable and considerably less expensive than the alternatives. Most
fly fishing rods are made of fiberglass.
Graphite rods are a little more expensive, but they are lighter than
fiberglass. They are better at casting than other rods and can handle
many types of fishing situations. Graphite rods are strong so they’ll
give you more fighting weight when trying to finish your catch.
Bamboo rods were the earliest rods used in the sport of fly fishing.
Today, bamboo rods are quite expensive, but they are amazing strong and
durable. These rods are suited for a slow, soft casting style associated
with slow, leisurely fishing. Bamboo rods are very graceful, but they
can be difficult to handle in certain situations, so this is not a good
choice for beginners.
The length of your rod makes a difference as well depending on what type
of fishing location you are in. Rods less than 8 feet long are good for
tight, narrow places and areas with overhanging trees. Eight to nine
foot rods are ideal for trout and bass fishing in open areas
where you can get casting distance. Anything nine feet and over is for
wide open waters and long distance casts. You can also use a nine foot
and above rod for fishing from a float tube.
Put some thought into your fly fishing rod. While it’s not the only
piece of gear that matters, it can be the one piece of gear that can
help you bring in a monster fish or a baby fish. Think about what you
want to accomplish on your fishing expedition and choose a rod that you
help you achieve your goal.
Ian Botham runs his own online sports goods mail
order business as well as several sports related websites. Check out
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