A good fly fishing rod is a good quality rod that fits well in the hand and will last for many years to come. The right fly rod for you is therefore a rod that meets the criteria above but also a rod adapted to your fishing. Asking yourself the question of what fishing you intend to use it for, thus facilitates the selection. Read our guide below for more detailed information on the different rod types.
single handed fly rod
Single Hand Fly Rods comes in a long series of different classes and lengths, from class #1 all the way up to classes around #12 - #14 and in lengths from a few feet up to over 11 feet. Which rod is best for you and for your fishing is determined by which water you will be fishing in, which fish you are looking for, size of fly, and of course your personal preference.
For fly fishing for grayling, trout, rainbow and char, classes in the range #3 - #7 are by far the most common and where class #6 can be considered the most all-round class. With class #6 you can fish with streamers, dry flies and nymphs in the vast majority of water bodies. If you are going to fish with a dry fly and small nymphs in smaller watercourses, you should consider a rod in one of the lower classes. If you are going to fish for sea trout on the coast, you should look at a class #7 rod, a rod that should be able to handle a windy day on the coast.
Are you, however, fishing for large predatory fish, such as the very popular sport fish pike. So you should have a rod that can handle the big flies being used, as well as being able to handle when the big madams step on. A rod in grades #8 - #10 is a good choice.
In the summer when the rivers are low, a single handed fly rod is also common along the salmon rivers. For these occasions, a rod in grades #7 - #9 is an excellent choice.
Two-handed fly rod
The definition of a two-handed fly rod is that you fish it with a two-handed grip. If you look back in time, it was almost exclusively for fishing for salmon and sea trout in flowing watercourses. It's new times now, and two-handed rods have also become very popular for fishing in slightly smaller watercourses for slightly smaller fish, so-called Trout Spey rods, where the class of rod can be as low as class #2.
This of course makes it even more uncertain for the novice fly fisherman to choose the right rod, even for the slightly more experienced, it should be added. Below is a short guide to help you make a successful rod choice.
Trout Spey often come in the #2 - #5 classes and lengths around 11-12 feet and are best suited for fishing for trout, char, grayling and rainbow trout in flowing water. With these you cast a little longer and a little more effortlessly and can thus fish a water efficiently. You can basically fish any technique you want with these rods, but the most common is swinging a streamer through the current.
Classes #6 - #8 are common for fishing for salmon and sea trout in slightly smaller watercourses such as many rivers along Sweden's western coastline. The length of these rods is usually around 11-13 feet.
When you go to Norway and fish in big rivers where you need to cast far, cover a lot of water and possibly wade deep. Then a rod in classes #9 - #11 and with a length of 13-17 feet is preferred.
This is a very general guide. If you still feel confused about your choice, contact us, we will help you choose the right rod, the right reel and the line to go with it if required.
Switch Fly Rods
A switch fly rod is designed to be a bridge between one-handed and two-handed fly rods. With these rods, you have the option of choosing how you want to cast, with a one-handed grip or a two-handed grip. This is something that in given situations can be very useful, the river may change character along the way and different casting methods must be implemented, sometimes the casting arm may need to rest, then a two-handed grip can help. The reasons and benefits are many and it is also something that is reflected in the sales statistics, a very popular choice of rod.
As always, if you need some extra guidance, recommendations of suitable line or reel, get in touch and we'll help you.
