Choosing a Fly Fishing Rod

Hi and welcome to the Fishing Tackle Box.

Selecting a fly fishing rod can be a tricky endeavor. While length is a factor, the bend or action of the rod is a key factor.
Flexibility of a fly fishing rod

Fly fishing rods are often defined by their flexibility. In laymen’s terms, flexibility means how far the rods will bend when the same casting effort is used.

Minimal Bend of a fly fishing rod
A fly fishing rod that has minimum bend is often called a “fast” rod. The lack of bend lets the angler get lots of speed on the cast. This speed allows you to cast very accurately and farther away than fly fishing rod with more bends. While these benefits may sound great at first glance, a fast rod can be frustrating. There is no room for error when using the rod. If you are going to use one of these rods, you need excellent motion and timing. Generally, only anglers with a lot of experience should have a go at using fast Fly fishing rod.

Moderate Bend of a Fly fishing rod
The next step down from a fast Fly fishing rod is one with medium flexibility? These rods tend to have good flexibility, but the bend is restricted to the top half of the fly fishing rod and requires less perfection of motion and timing, but is fairly accurate. If you’have been angling for a while and have the basic techniques down, a moderately flexible fly fishing rod is worth a try.

Slinky Bend of a Fly fishing rod.
If you are just taking up fly fishing, you should use a rod with maximum flexibility. While others suggest a moderate bend is better for beginners, a “slinky bend” fly fishing rod rod gives you a lot of leeway when it comes to learning to cast.

Fly fishing is relaxing and enjoyable. Pick the wrong rod, however, and it can quickly become frustrating and stressful. If you use your brain, and not your ego, when picking a Fly fishing rod rod, you will have a blast.

And I think the next story by Rick is also worth reading.

The One That Got Away on the Green River.

Fly fishing can be a surreal experience mending the soul of any person. That is, until you have to deal with the one that got away!

The One That Got Away.

I have battled the crowds, seen the masses of fish in the crystal clear water, and been skunked by the some of the most educated trout around on the Green River below the Flaming Gorge Dam.

On a fly fishing float trip last fall, I experienced the true meaning of …The One That Got Away.

This fight and escape was like no other that I have experienced in my 10 years of fly fishing. This fish was not just big, but the most aggressive and determined trout I have ever seen!! It was a picture perfect moment;

I spot a large rising fish on the left side of the river about 50 down. We row into position. I make the perfect cast and my drift is right on target. Suddenly, the fish comes almost completely out of the water.
Now you are probably thinking, big deal, what makes this the ultimate one that got away story? It’s not the size of the fish or even the amount of time the fish was on, it’s all about the fly fishing angler.

Moments before my fly drifted over this fantastic fish, a dive-bombing Osprey snagged him out from under my nose, or more accurately, the nose of my fly!
Maybe their eyesight is not quite as good as I thought, because this bird chewed off way more than he should have!

It was a perfect snag, both talons sunk into the back of the fish. The bird was able to pull the fish almost completely out of the water with a few extremely labored flaps before he went down.

Yep, the Osprey was completely dragged under by the heavy, powerful and extremely determined fish.

Amazingly, the Osprey surfaced still clutching the fish and made another attempt to conquer the beast. Dragging the fish half submerged across 10 feet of river, the bird was once again almost completely submerged.

Again the Osprey surfaces, well, almost surfaces. Only one wing comes out of the water and flaps frantically.

One had to wonder who was having who to lunch!

Unbelievably, it started to look like the fish was going to roll the Osprey under it. Sure enough, the fish came over the top and was partially in the air while the Osprey was completely submerged under it!
The trout made a vicious twisting movement and the Osprey apparently thought oxygen was a better meal. It let go of the trout.

The soaking wet bird laboriously returned to a nearby perch for a well-deserved rest.
We all stared at each other in complete shock. Now that is one hell of a One That Got Away story!!
About The Author
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com - makers of diary and writing journals for fly fishing and the outdoors.

Thanks Rick.

I couldn't think of a better way to end the day meanwhile,

Enjoy your fishing