Fly Rods
Fly rods literally come in thousands of sizes, styles, lengths and types. Most fly fishers will want a good all round rod that can be used for many different types of fishing. As this site is dedicated to dry fly fishing for trout and other game fish, the information below is dedicated to rods that meet the demands of this type of fishing. The ideal all round rod is:
Length – 8 to 10 feet
AFTM – 4 to 7
Action – Medium to Fast
There are some very expensive rods on the market. Although lightweight with superb handling they are an unnecessary expense unless you are rich! At the other end of the scale are some very cheap rods. These tend to be poorly made, heavy and difficult to handle. The best value rods tend to be around the £100-300 mark. The rods below are in my opinion the best on the current market for each price range:
Fly Rods under £100
Airflo Delta Classic Fly Rod – 9′ , AFTM 5.
Airflo Delta Fly Rod
Fly Rods for £100-300
Orvis Western 3 Fly Rod – 9’6″, AFTM 6.
Orvis Western 3 Fly Rod
Fly Rods for £300-£500
Orvis Hydros Fly Rod – 9′, AFTM 5.
Orvis Hydros Fly Rod
Fly Rods for more than £500
Orvis Helios Fly Rod – 9′, AFTM 4.
Orvis Helios Fly Rod
Fly Reels
Fly reels must match the rod to which they are fitted if they are to perform to their maximum capability. If you have a number 5 rod then the reel must be rated to number 5. The lighter the reel then the less stress on the wrist when casting and the more comfortable the day will be. Clutches should be smooth, quick and progressive to prevent line breakage due to reel inertia. Finally, large arbors are essential to prevent line memory and kinks.
Like fly rods, there are some very expensive fly reels. They handle brilliantly and make fly fishing a joy. However, they do not represent good value as almost identical high performance can be achieved with much cheaper reels. Reels in the £50-100 range represent best value. The best reel in each price range is given below.
Reels under £50
Airflo Balance Fly Reel
Reels from £50-£150
Greys G-Tec Fly Reel
Reels More than £150
Sage 4550 Fly Reel
Fly Lines
Fly lines are often overlooked but it is essential to go for high quality lines. Casting is much easier, while hooking and playing fish becomes safer. I only have one recommendation and that is the Airflo Ridge Ultra Supple Floating Fly Line. This should be a floating line for dry fly fishing.
Leaders and Tippets
Leaders should be clear floating polyleaders and for dry fly fishing should be of similar length to the fly rod they will be used with. My recommendation is an 8ft Airflo Clear Floating Light Trout Polyleader. Tippets are a matter of personal preference. My strong preference is for Frog Hair Tippets with a breaking strain of 4.4 lbs.
Glasses
Polarised sunglasses are a must for fly fishing. They reduce glare from the water’s surface allowing the fly fisher to see into the water and spot fish. Polarised sunglasses come in a wide variety of styles and colours. The ideal style is one that wraps around the face and prevents sunlight from ‘leaking’ behind the lenses. As for lens colour, this is a matter of personal preference and the type of waters one intends to fish. I personally find green and brown tinted lenses to be the best for clear river and lake fishing. Sober colours and non-mirrored lenses are the best fashions for preventing fish scare. The best models for performance at a reasonable price are shown below.
Bolle Limit
Serengeti Ascani
If you need prescription lenses then there are a few dealers who make specialised fishing glasses with polarised lenses. The prices are excellent and you can pretty much get what you want including designer and fashion models. Details here or click on the banner below.
