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 fly fishing rods 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.
