At Perfect Fly, we receive email and phone calls from people who want to get into the sport of fly fishing and want to know what fly rod they should buy. Those who have owned a fly rod for some time and can cast from twenty to seventy feet, probably already know what rod suits them the best. Those new to the sport of fly fishing, and even those who have been fly fishing for some time but have not developed their casting skills, just want to get most they can get for the money. Most of those new to the sport just don’t cast well enough to fairly judge the quality of a fly rod.
Anglers who lack the skills to tell the difference between various rods are not capable of making the right decision when it comes to determining which one to buy. There’s a lot of marketing hype about fly rods as well as many anglers who consider themselves experts. Where does that leave a new angler looking for the right fly rod for them. Should anglers trust fly rod manufacturers to help them choose the right rod? Should they trust fly shop employees or guides? Many may have a interest in promoting a particular fly rod or a particular brand. Should they rely on the outdoor media?
At Perfect Fly, we want to make certain the fly rod works out well for the new angler because we have a vested interest in it. We want them to continue to purchase flies, gear and equipment from us. Here’s my advice for new anglers, or less-than-good casters looking to purchase a rod that will meet their needs. First, you need to understand what the fly rod can and cannot do for you. Is a fly rod merely a tool to accomplish the task of catching a fish? Does the looks of the rod need to be aesthetically pleasing? Are you more focused on casting, or protecting light tippets, or fighting a fish as quickly and effectively as possible? You’ll also want to be honest with yourself. If you’re someone who puts a lot of emphasis on brands and labels, or who wants other anglers to admire your new rod, you should realize that can be a huge mistake. Do as much research as you feel is necessary but keep in mind that some people are better resources than others, and certain people will have an incentive to steer you in a particular direction.
All of the points above, while helpful and important, are relatively standard. Here are some that are not so standard. If you’re a novice or intermediate angler, you should pay particular attention to how a company markets their fly rods. If they use terms like “fast” or “very fast” to describe a particular rod, that’s a red flag; a warning sign that the rod in question is probably not going to be a good fit for you. For the past several years, rod manufacturers have claimed that faster (or stiffer) rods are better rods. While that may be true in certain specific situations, and for certain casters, it’s not a true fact. Fast rods don’t flex easily, and they require far more effort to cast.
If you’re a novice or intermediate angler, you should pay particular attention to how a company markets their fly rods. If they use terms like “fast” or “very fast” to describe a particular rod, that’s a red flag; a warning sign that the rod in question is probably not going to be a good fit for you. For the past several years, rod manufacturers have claimed that faster (or stiffer) rods are better rods. While that may be true in certain specific situations, and for certain casters, it’s not a true fact. Fast rods don’t flex easily, and they require far more effort to cast.
Most of the work done with the rod is the result of rotation and not flex. But flex is what makes a rod pleasant, or unpleasant, to cast. Most rods made today feel terrible. If an angler buys a rod and is showing it off to his buddies, they can tend to make a lousy rod work. In fact, many have been doing that for years. After dumping a good bit of money on a rod, many tend to believe their bad rod is a good one. Many anglers, if not most, have never cast a pleasant-feeling rod.
If you’re a novice or often make less-than-good cast, and if you’re in the market for a new trout rod, I recommend that you rule out fast action rods. Stick to medium, or moderate rods.
If you already own a fast action rod, rather than putting them in the don’t use closet, try going up a line size with their fly line. Fish the rod with a one-size-heavier line. It won’t work for every rod — some models just won’t work well with any size fly line, but utilizing a heavier line can often help certain fast action rods perform better on the water.
If you want to save money and get the best quality available for your money, try our Perfect Fly brands. We are able to save customers money simply because we have eliminated the “middle men”, or distributors and sales representatives. https://perfectflystore.com/fly-rods-combos/