Choosing a fly rod is often a problem for beginners as well as experienced fishermen who want to discover a new fishing technique for them. The purpose of this article is to inform you about the lengths and the actions intended for each technique, in order to avoid errors of choice, which beyond the inconveniences which they cause, can also generate defects in the way of launching, with all that that entails.
Never in the history of fly fishing, we have known such a profusion of models, ranges and brands of fly rods. Beginning fishermen or those who wish to be interested in other fish than those which they usually catch are faced with the problem of choosing a new tool. You can click here to know more. And this one is not simple: what length, what silk number, what size? To help you find your way around the hundreds of models available, here are a few things you need to know to be able to choose a rod for each technique.
What is the action of the cane?
The notion of “action” concerning a fly rod is both decisive and generally very ill-defined, because it is not governed by any common will on the part of the manufacturers. The action of a cane corresponds to the curve that takes the whole of the cane under traction. The rods display more or less parabolic actions (in the shape of a circle) depending on the cone of their blank (graphite and resin elements). In the middle of the XXth century, Pezon & Michel passed each split bamboo cane in front of a graduated blackboard and hung at the end of each one a weight of one Newton (102 grams) to check its action. Since then, few manufacturers have sought to educate buyers on this specific point. We then speak of “peak”, “semi-parabolic”, “parabolic”, “fast” or “slow” action.
The Other Ones
For other brands, it is up to the customer to judge and get an idea from the comments found on the catalogs, but these often have only a relatively vague indicative value. It’s a shame, because everyone would gain more clarity in a standardized definition of the action of the rods, but for the moment, it is so, and it is necessary to do with. As for the so-called “slow” or “fast” actions, they lead to confusion between two concepts that should not be mixed: the action and the power of the rods. In general, a rod considered as “tip” action bends over the first third of its length during the throw (approximately because it depends on each model). A semi-parabolic rod on the first two thirds, and a parabolic rod on almost its entire length. This diagram of the actions of the fly rods makes it possible to detect the sections of the rods which naturally come into action when throwing. During a long distance throw or under the action of a strong pull, a larger part of the rod has a more or less pronounced curve.
Which rod for which use:
Advising a fly rod is necessarily an arbitrary exercise. Among the fishermen there are representatives of different “schools”, those of long rods over 9 feet for trout fishing, length made possible by the advent of carbon fiber or very small rods under 8 feet very popular with our Italian neighbors, those of lovers of long leader lines, etc. In France, most of the rods sold concern lengths between 8’6 and 9’6, the length of 9 feet remaining the standard in our country.