Since 1845 Fly rods have been leading anglers to some of the most beautiful places around. Since then, the materials, size, and length have changed from their spindly split-cane beginning.
With so much evolution and change, finding the right fly rod can be tough. At Rod Seek, we want to guide you in finding the best Fly Rod possible. We'll cover all aspects including blank materials, size, weight, length, reels, and fishing conditions. We'll make our fly rod builders available to you to get your questions answered and build your confidence in making the right selection.
Fly Rods are typically longer, thinner, and lighter than most rods. Due to their length, Fly Rods are usually segmented and connected by inserts called ferrules, which connect to make the rod stable during casting and easier to take apart (breakdown) when traveling.
Fly Rods are usually built from one of three types of materials: Fiberglass, Bamboo, and Composites (Carbon Fiber, Graphite, and Fiberglass). These materials have different properties, which, if you know more about them, can help you select the right rod when working with your fly rod builder. Carbon Fiber is often the fastest or stiffest fly rod material you can purchase.
Heavier Fly Rods are recommended for larger fish and for turning over (casting) larger flies. An 8-weight rod up to an 18-weight fly rod is considered heavier. The average all-around size for a fly rod is a 5-weight rod, which is suited ideally for mid-sized trout and bass. Smaller rods, 1-weight to 4-weight, are preferred for panfish and small trout.
Reels serve to hold the fly line, retrieve the line, and apply breaking or drag where needed. Almost all fly reels are sold with a rod/line weight recommendation. Look to match the reel size you choose with the fly rod you plan to use. The rod, reel, and line should match the weight recommendation e.g., 5-weight (sometimes shown as 5 wt.)
This is your one contact point with the Fly Rod. Most Fly Rods are gripped with cork, which performs excellent when wet. Manufactured rod grips fit an average-sized grip. With custom rods, you can get the grips shaped to fit your hand and how you hold the rod. Some Fly Rod builders can layer the cork to create designs and contours to make your Fly Rod stand out.
There are three types of guides on a Fly Rod. Starting from the grip going up, there are stripping guides (1 - 3), the running guides (4 - 8), and the tip-top guide (1). It is usual for the stripping guides to be double-footed and the running guides to be single-footed or snake guides. The tip-top is most concerned with diameter and durability.
Once you have paired your 8-weight rod with your 8-weight reel, you will look for an 8-weight line. The type of 8-weight line depends on the fly you are casting and how deep in the water column you want to be. Floating line stays on the surface of the water. Sinking Line sinks at different rates. The sinking tip line only has the tip portion, which sinks at different rates.
When choosing between these three main types of materials; Composites, Fiberglass, and Bamboo, consider faster or stiffer fly rods are best for longer casts using larger flies.
Composites are, as the name implies, a combination of Carbon Fiber, Graphite, and Fiberglass. Composites can be made with differing amounts of these components to achieve the desired speed and action for the fly caster. Composite rods made up of over 70% Carbon Fiber will be considered fast to very fast in their "action". These rods will load your fly line quickly, allowing you to cast quickly and further. They can make it harder to control the presentation of the fly.
Fiberglass rods have been around for a while (since the early 1950s) and are becoming more and more popular. Fiberglass is perfect for casting small to medium-sized flies. Rods made from Fiberglass are slower to load, allowing you to slow your casting motion down and place your fly more precisely if using a small to medium-sized fly. Think of a small mountain stream with a Brook trout slowly sipping an afternoon caddis hatch.
Bamboo rods are ancient compared to other materials. Most consider the 1870s to 1950s the heyday for bamboo fly rods. Bamboo rods are slower and appeal to anglers who appreciate the handcrafted aesthetic. Rods made of bamboo take on the natural characteristics of the "Bamboo" also known as Tonkin cane. Each bamboo rod is one of a kind. It is split, trimmed, and bound all by hand. The rod builder can shape the behavior of the rod within the limits of the natural properties of the cane. With a bamboo fly rod, you are casting in a mountain stream with a one-of-a-kind connection to nature.
Fly rod size is the “weight” of the fly rod. This can be confusing as it has little to do with how heavy the rod is but the type of fly line best suited to be fished with that rod. Fly rods range in size from 1 Weight up to an 18-Weight.
The 1-Weight (1WT) is designed for a smaller space and smaller flies and is paired with a 1-Weight line. The 18-weight can be used for offshore fishing and is to be paired with a 18-weight line. As you can see, the line classification drives the pairing with the rod.
The weight of the fly line is related to the weight of 30 feet of the fly line in grams. To appreciate the difference between the actual fly line in grams, here’s a quick list to explain the 1 Weight or 5 Weight classification is a scale based on the AFTMA (American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Associations) group standardization so anglers and builders have a common place to start from when selecting their rods. When looking at the table below, consider that 20 grains is the weight of a standard business card. That slight amount is being spread across 30 feet of line.
(5WT lines/rod pairing is the US most commonly made/sold.)
Fly Line Weight Classification - Weight is the total weight of 30 Feet of line.
To simplify the reel choice, pick a reel that will match the size of the fish you are going after. Smaller freshwater fish like trout and bass will call for a 3-weight to a 6-weight rod. Larger freshwater fish like bigger bass, and saltwater fish like redfish, you’ll pick a 6-weight to a 9-weight. For the largest saltwater fish like tarpon or billfish, look for a 10-weight up to an 18-weight.
Finding the right reel after you’ve decided on the fish and rod size, consider these three things:
Drag Type: There are two main categories: Click-and-Pawl and disc drag fly reels. Click-and-Pawl drag systems are a series of cogs with a spring-loaded clicker providing resistance. This simple drag system provides resistance for smaller fish, matching best with a 6-weight rod/line or smaller. Disc drag reels offer more resistance. The brake and disc are in constant contact, allowing for even resistance when fighting larger fish. You should consider a disc drag fly reel if fishing with a rod/line combo 8-weight and above.
Arbor Size: There are two Fly Reel arbor types: Traditional, where the reel spool is about ½ inch in diameter, and Larger Arbor, 2 ¾ inches or more. Traditional is better for smaller rod/line combos, most under 6-weight in size. These smaller reels have deeper spools to hold the fly line and backing. Large Arbor reels are great for larger fish getting the most out of their shallower and wider spools. The large arbor allows the angler to reel in more line per turn of the handle.
Price: If you are starting, you should be able to get a very dependable 1-weight to 6-weight reel for under $125. With a reel at this price, you get a reel that lasts and allows you to grow into the sport. The $400 - $900 fly reels for these sizes are meant to last generations. For that extra spend, you are paying for design and durability. If you are looking to find a reel for larger rods, 6-weight to 18-weight, you can find value reels under $400, and you can find $1,800 reels for large saltwater fish. When paying for these larger reels, focus on consistent drag performance (no slipping) and corrosion resistance (fully sealed drag system).
