Fishing Articles and Information

Fly Fishing Rods - All About Action

By Joel Davis

For those about to choose a new fly fishing rod the process can be a little confusing to begin with. Here then are the basics about choosing the best fly fishing rod for you.

First the angler should have some idea about the type of water he or she is intending to fish on. Basically the options are small creeks and streams, medium to large rivers, lakes, or in the ocean.

Fly fishing rods come in many different lengths and line weights and are matched to the fly reel, the line weight and to the environment you will be fishing in. For instance if a fly rod has a weight of seven, ideally the line used will be a seven weight with a fly reel to match.

Here are a few questions you'll need to ask yourself when choosing a fly fishing rod.

Will I be spending most of my time fishing for fresh water fish such as trout and bass, or will I be fishing saltwater species like salmon, steelhead or larger ocean fish.

Do I intend fishing small streams, Rivers, Lakes or open ocean water? As a general rule, use shorter rods for smaller creeks and streams, longer rods for bigger rivers, lakes and saltwater use.

Small trout fly rods can start with a line weight rod of 3 up to 6, for larger rivers and lake fishing, anglers generally use trout fishing rod weight 6 to 9, and for open water and sea fishing go for 9 weight and upwards.

-What type of rod action do you prefer? The action of the rod will determine the line speed and the size of the line loop during casting, the faster the action the tighter the loop will be. As a guide beginners are best to use a slow to medium action rod.

More on Fly Fishing Rod Action.

The action or bend of a rod is a key factor. How far will the rod bend when using consistent effort?

Remember, the action of a fly rod is a measure of how flexible the rod is.

Fast Action Fly Rods

The stiffer the fly fishing rod will allow the angler to generate plenty of line speed in the cast. This allows very accurate distance casting than a slower action fly rod. A fast action trout fly rod is also good for using in windy conditions due to the superior line speed.

Fast action rods are more suited to experienced anglers who have excellent timing and casting ability, the size of the loop will cause all sorts of problems to the inexperienced, especially if weighted flies are being used. Many novice anglers have bought fast action rods only to have unhappy results when using them due to lack of experience.

Medium Action Fly Rods

Medium Action fly rods are the most popular of the fly rod. Medium action fly rods offer good flexibility and are the most versatile of fly rods. Medium action rods are great all rounder, and can be used in smaller streams, rivers and lakes. These rods are certainly capable of a long cast and require less perfection in motion and timing. Ideal all rounder.

Slow Action Fly Fishing Rods

Slow action fly rods; don't generate high line speeds due to their flexibility. These rods are designed to make shorter accurate and delicate casts. Ideal for fishing small rivers and creeks. Slow action fly fishing rods are an excellent fly rod for beginners. Slow line speed and more flexibility gives a beginner more control over the fly line, allowing better accuracy in casting.

To summarize, slower action rods are for beginners to fly fishing, although experienced anglers also enjoy using them with very light gear in smaller creeks for those hard to catch bass or trout. Medium action fly rods are the most versatile, and are adaptable enough to fish in most conditions.

These rods are for those fly fishermen who enjoy the sport and the outdoor activity it brings. A fast action rod is for those fisherman who have mastered the sport and enjoy the challenge of using the fly fishing rod to create big casts to tight spots, or to the place on the river where average fly fishermen can't reach. Whatever your choice, fly fishing is the winner.