Fly Rods & Reels�Module #1

AN INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING

WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM

CLAY HASH - GRASS VALLEY – CALIFORNIA – WWW.FLYFISHINGTRADITIONS.COM

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Fly Rods & Fly Lines

• This Module # 1 will teach you want you need to know about fly rods and fly reels as you get started with fly fishing.
• Learning how these components work together will help you determine what type of fly rod and fly reel may work best for you.
• Let’s get started with Fly Rods.

Fly Rods

How Do You Differentiate a Fly Rod?

• When you think about fly fishing the first thing that probably comes to mind is the image of a flexing fly rod.
• Without a fly rod, you won’t be fly fishing.
• There is no perfect fly rod for every fishing situation or even for every casting style.
• Every fly caster will find that different rods will feel differently to them.
• The most important thing is to find a rod that feels comfortable in your hand, and that you enjoy to cast and fish.

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Fly Rods are differentiated by 4 Things

• (1) The materials they are constructed with, for instance bamboo
• (2) Their length, for instance 9’0”
• (3) Their action, for instance fast
• (4) Their line weight, for instance 5 weight

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Materials That Fly Rods �Are Constructed With

Fly Rods Are Constructed with Different Materials

• Fly Rods are constructed from a variety of different materials
• The type of material used in the construction of the fly rod will affect the overall weight of the fly rod as well as its stiffness.
• The most common materials that fly rods are constructed with are;
• Graphite
• Bamboo
• Fiberglass

Graphite Rods

Graphite rods have revolutionized the fly fishing industry

• A graphite rod is lighter and stiffer than bamboo and fiberglass
• They are ideal for casting long distances, with accuracy and with less effort
• You can find graphite rods in medium, medium/fast, fast, and extra fast actions.

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Fiberglass Rods

Fiberglass rods are experiencing a renaissance in recent years.

• Fiberglass rods were most popular from the 1950’s through the 1970’s.
• When graphite rods became available on the market the fiberglass rods faded away.
• Fiberglass is incredibly strong and flexible which make them powerful fish fighting tools.
• They are not the greatest casting rods as they have a very slow action, bending all the way to the butt section.

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Bamboo Fly Rods

Bamboo is a traditional material used in fly rod construction

• Bamboo rods are things of beauty, works of art that can range upwards of several thousands of dollars and take months to build.
• A bamboo rod can be heavy and will not cast as well as modern graphite rods.
• The aesthetic value of a bamboo rod is considered priceless.
• Bamboo Rods are known for their ability to present flies softly to fussy trout

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Fly Rod Length

Fly Rod Length

Fly Rods can come in a broad range of lengths, from 7 feet to as long as 15 feet

• The length of a fly rod is often based upon the type and size of water where you are fishing.
• For example, shorter rods are more preferred for small streams, where long casts aren’t necessary and there is often brush or trees that make longer rods more cumbersome.
• For big rivers, or fishing in the surf, a longer rod can help you to cast longer and to control and fish a fly at greater distances.
• Most fly rods are around nine feet long, which is a great all- around length for most fishing situations.
• Spey Rods that you cast with two hands range in size from 11’ to 15

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Fly Rod Length – Shorter Rods

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Selecting the right fly rod length generally depends on what you will be fishing for, where you will be fishing and what type of conditions you expect to encounter

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• A small creek that has lots of brush will be fished more effectively with a small fly rod as a shorter fly rod is easier to control in the brushy terrain that you may encounter.
• The problem with very short fly rods is that they do not have as much power as a longer fly rod does. They generate slower line speeds, and thus cannot cast as far or do as well in the wind.
• Shorter rods range from 6’6” to about 8’6”

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Longer Rods

Longer Rods are best used on rivers and streams that are not choked in by brush - which is most rivers, especially when float fishing

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• A longer fly rod allows for longer casts and greatly improved line mending
• Longer single handed rods are about 9’ to 10’ long
• Switch Rods are cast with 1 or 2 hands are about 10’ to 11’ long
• The real long spey rods are cast with both hands and are often referred to as “Two-Handers”
• Spey Rods are about 11’ to 15’ depending upon the rod weight

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Fly Rod Action

Fly Rod Action

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• Fly rods are usually classified by their actions. You will find fly rods described as;
• Fast Action
• Medium Action
• Slow Action
• And some in between like Medium Fast or Extra Fast

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What Does Rod Action Mean?

It is necessary to understand fly rod action and subsequently fly rod flex.

• The type of fly rod action you select will depend on what type of fish you are pursuing and what type of water.
• If you were planning on fly fishing for large trout or steelhead on a big river? Then a fast action may be a good choice.
• If you plan on fly fishing for wary brook trout in a small creek somewhere, then a medium action fly rod might be your choice.
• In short, before purchasing a fly rod, it makes sense that you know more or less what type and size of fish you will be fishing for and what size of river or stream you will be fishing. Here is an example of rod action.

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Fly Rod Flex

Notice the Flex Point Line difference between a Slow Action, Medium Action and a Fast Action Rod

• Notice what portion of the rod bends
• Notice the flex profile of the tips

Pros & Cons of Fast Action Fly Rods

Some advantages of a Fast Action Rod are:

• Great for use when nymphing or with weighted setups.
• Great for longer casts, especially in windy conditions.
• A fast action rod loads quickly enabling quick casts.
• A fast action rod has the strength for playing and landing larger fish.

Some disadvantages are:

• Not ideal for small streams or very delicate presentations.
• Can break light tippet easier.
• Can be more difficult for beginners to use or when learning to fly cast

Medium Action Fly Rods

A medium action fly rod is a fly rod that has a fair amount of flexibility but is still somewhat stiff

• It loads in the top 1/2 to 2/3 of the rod, which is in the middle of the rod.
• When casting a medium action rod it will bend moderately for about half of its length, from the middle of the rod upward to the tip of the rod
• Medium Action fly rods were considered the workhorses of the fly rods for many years.
• They have been replaced in the modern market by Medium/Fast and Fast action rods
• Medium action fly rods are also considered the most versatile of fly rods. They can be used for everything from small streams to large tailwater rivers.
• The slower line speed gives beginning anglers more control over where the fly line, and the fly, ends up.

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Pros & Cons of Medium Action Rods

Some advantages of a Medium Action fly rod are:

• Easier to cast and control for beginners.
• Very versatile for wide range of waters.
• Great for presentation casting to fussy fish

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Some disadvantages are:

• More difficult to cast with weighted setups.
• Can be challenging in windy conditions.

Slow Action Fly Rods

A slow action fly rod is a fly rod that bends in entire length

• Bamboo and Fiberglass Rods fall into the slow action class.
• The difference in flexibility between a slow action rod and a fast action rod is very significant.
• When casting a slow action rod, it will bend significantly for most of its length.
• Slow action fly rods, do not generate high line speeds due to their flexibility.
• They are often selected by anglers who like to make short and very accurate and gentle casts.
• Slow action fly rods are ideal for fly fishing smaller rivers, spring creeks and other areas that require anglers to make short and accurate casts.
• Slow action rods are great for protecting light line and tippets.

Pros and Cons of Slow Action Rods

Some advantages are:

• Great for short very accurate casts.
• Deliver delicate presentations.
• Protect light lines and tippet

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• Some disadva­­ntages are:
• Slow line speed.
• Challenging with weighted setups.
• Challenging in windy conditions.

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Fly Rod Line Weights

Fly Rod Weights 1-3

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Fly Rod weights from 1 to 3 are the lightest of fly rods

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• These rods are good for small trout, pan fish, and other small fish.
• They are used when casting small flies and making shorter casts
• These rods are great for high country lakes, small creeks and small streams
• They are often used for backpacking or as a rod for pan fish
• These rods are typically about 6’ to 8’ 6” long

Fly Rod Weights - 4 weights

4 weight rods are good for small to medium sized trout and other similarly sized fish

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• These rods are often used when casting small and medium sized flies
• The casts that are made with a 4 weight fly rod are usually short to medium length casts
• A 4 weight rod is often used for small to medium streams and creeks.
• They are often used as a backpacking rod
• A 4 weight rod is typically about 7’6” to 9’ long

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Fly Rod Weights – 5 Weights

A 5 weight rod is often referred to as the most versatile of the line weights

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• A 5 weight rod can be used for all but the largest trout, bass and steelhead
• A 5 weight rod performs adequately for smaller bass (not the lunkers in some lakes)
• A 5 weight is used with small, medium and larger sized flies.
• This class of rod can be used for longer casts yet performs short casts fairly well
• The 5 weight can be used for fishing with shot and indicator on smaller streams and creeks but does not perform well on large rivers
• A 5 weight rod is a must have rod for wherever you may roam
• 5 weight rods are about 8’6” to 9’6” long

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Fly Rod Weights – 6 weights

The 6 weight is also one of the most versatile of the line weights

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• This line weight fishes well for all but the smallest fish
• A six weight rod can be used as a steelhead rod for ½ pounder steelhead
• Also performs adequately for large bass and lunkers in some lakes
• Fishes well when using small, medium and larger sized flies
• Allows for longer casts but does not perform as well on short casts
• A 6 weight is a great nymphing rod when fishing indicator and shot methods
• A must have rod for fishing Northern California waters
• A 6 weight single handed rod is about 9’ to 10’ long

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Fly Rod Weights – 7 & 8 Weights

7 & 8 weight rods are designed for very large trout and steelhead

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• Most anglers that target steelhead, large bass, stripers and some saltwater species use 7 & 8 weight rods
• These rods can be used for pitching large streamers and large flies.
• Longer casts are excellent.
• Not useful for fishing shorter casts.
• Most definitely not designed for smaller fish and smaller flies
• 7 & 8 weight single handed rods are typically about 9’ to 9’6” long

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Fly Rod Weights – 9 & 10 weights

9 & 10 Weight Rods are used for the largest game fish

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• Nine weights are often used for large steelhead, salmon and stripers
• These rods are designed to throw heavy sink tips and shooting heads
• Use these rods when fishing in large fish territory.
• They are used for saltwater fishing and fishing for large salmon and steelhead
• 9 & 10 weight single handed rods are typically about 9’ to 10’ long

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The Fly Reel – A Most Essential Tool

The Fly Reel

A fly reel is the one component of a fly fishing outfit (fly rod, reel, line, and leader) that is frequently overlooked by anglers

• Most people feel that a fly reel generally does little more than just hold line.
• That all changes the minute you hook into a big trout, salmon or bass and the fly line begins to strip out of the fly reel at an alarming rate
• During these times, cheap fly reels, those that do little more than just hold line, have a nasty tendency to either fall apart (by locking up) or to cause many a lost fish due to an uneven drag that allows the tippet to part company with the leader
• I recommend that you invest in a quality fly reel. By good quality I’m talking about a quality drag system
• A good quality fly reel will also last you a lifetime

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Fly Reel Weight

Just like rods, fly reels are generally based on line weight to determine the size

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• For instance, if you are using a 5 weight rod, you will want to use a reel that matches a 5 weight rod
• Most fly reels will handle a range of fly rods
• For instance, you may want to match a 5 weight fly rod with a 4-5 or a 5-6 fly reel.

“Right-Handed” or “Left Handed Retrieve”

Before you install “Fly Line Backing” and a “Fly Line” onto your reel, you will need to decide whether you want to retrieve, or wind, the fly line onto the reel using your left hand or your right hand

• Almost all fly reels on the market have the ability to change between right handed and left handed retrieves.
• I would recommend that right handed fly casters, holding the rod in your right hand, wind with their left hand
• Left handed fly casters, holding the rod in your left hand, wind with their right hand.
• If you set up your fly rod and reel this way it will eliminate the need to switch hands with the fly rod to retrieve line.

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Fly Line Backing

Before you load a selected fly line on your reel you need to install Fly Line Backing

• Backing is a braided Dacron line and usually comes in either 20 or 30 pound rating
• Most reels will hold anywhere from 70 to 250 yards of backing depending on its size
• The backing is tied directly to the reel, using the “Arbor Knot” and then tied to the back of your fly line, typically with a “Nail Knot”
• The Fly Line Backing gives you plenty of running room for any large fish you hook into.

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Loading Your Reel

When you are ready to load your reel, purchase 20 or 30 pound Dacron Fly Backing, which is a braided line

• Attach the backing to the reel spool using an “Arbor Knot”
• You will load the reel with about 100 to 125 yards of backing. Be careful not to overload the spool. If you do the fly line won’t fit on the reel
• Now attach the fly line to the backing using a “Nail Knot”
• Purchase a “Fast-Tye Tool” to make tying this knot easier
• Make sure your fly line of choice matches your fly rod properly
• Wind the fly line on the reel and when you are done there should be a little space left on the reel, 1/8 to ¼ of an inch. There is typically a loop at the business end of the fly line to attach a leader
• Attach a leader with a loop to loop connection and you’ll be good to go

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Thanks from NCCFFI �Education Committee

Content Provided by Clay Hash

Fly Fishing Traditions – Grass Valley – California

www.flyfishingtraditions.com

Fly Rods & Reels�Module #1

A NCCFFI PRODUCT

Content Provided By�Clay Hash of�Fly Fishing Traditions�www.flyfishingtraditions.com