First let’s talk about the different materials that fly rods are made of today. The three most popular materials are bamboo, fiberglass and graphite, with the graphite rod being the most popular. There are many differing opinions on which is best but the key is to select the one that you feel most comfortable with and can afford.
GraphiteWithout a doubt, graphite fly rods are the most popular fly rod today. That’s why I decided to start with them. These rods are the “new kids on the block”. All graphite rods are not equal. For that matter, not all graphite is equal. Graphite is a man-made material and new processes are constantly being introduced but to keep things simple, the biggest difference in these rods is the weight. Generally speaking, the lighter the rod, the more expensive it is (in most cases). The old adage “You get what you pay for” usually applies here. You want to be careful in selecting your rod that you don’t get the least expensive one you find (even for the beginner) because in many cases, this will lead to purchasing another rod in a few short years because of the poor quality of the first rod. When looking at a fly rod, make sure to check the reel seat, guides, grip, etc. to ensure they are all tight and made of a good, quality material so they aren’t breaking down on you shortly after your purchase. On the flip side, I strongly believe that you don’t want to right out and purchase a top of the line rod right out of the gate either until you have had a chance to get some experience under your belt. Then you can go back and look for the rod of your dreams that will last you a lifetime. In terms of price, graphite rods are usually the middle of the road. They’re always less than an equivalent bamboo rod and generally more expensive than an equivalent fiberglass rod. Graphite fly rods are also more forgiving to beginners and allow for both longer and more accurate casts. Additionally, you’ll be thankful for the lighter weight after your first all day adventure on the stream. These features are probably what make the graphite rods so popular.
BambooAccording to the history books, the first fly rods were made out of bamboo. Believe it or not, these fly rods are still used today by some of the more advanced fly fishermen. Being that these rods are not the obvious choice for beginners, I won’t spend much time on them but let it be known that if you ever run into someone that is fishing with a bamboo rod, there’s a good chance that this person is the benefactor of some rich fly fishing tradition and may have been taught by his/her father or grandfather on a bamboo rod. Today’s bamboo rods are easy to care for. All that’s required is that they are wiped down after each use and polished with a paste style furniture polish before putting away. To store the rod, separate the pieces and keep them in the rod sack inside a protective rod tube and keep it in a climate controlled room (not an attic or a damp basement). Lay the rod tube horizontally to avoid warping. Bamboo fly rods are inherently slow action. They are also quite a bit heavier in comparison to today's lightweight graphite and fiberglass fly rods and despite the high price (I’ve seen these for upwards of $1500), bamboo fly rods are still considered the finest fly rods on the market.
FiberglassFiberglass rods seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. With the introduction of the graphite rod, most people have traded in the heavier fiberglass rods for the lighter and more forgiving graphite rods. Still, fiberglass rods have their benefits, of which the greatest is price. These rods are the least expensive, making them quite appealing to younger fishermen and beginners. Also, fiberglass fly rods seem virtually indestructible. You may crush one in a car door or inadvertently step on one and break it but it is quite unlikely that a fish will ever break one.
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