The most important pieces of gear you will ever purchase for fly fishing are your rod and your reel. Without them, your skill as a fisherman is useless, but which ones are the best? There are a bewildering variety of options on the market. Bamboo, graphite, and even fiberglass rods are available in all sizes and weights for all sorts of fishing conditions. It seems like the best fly fishing rod is simply a matter of personal taste for most fishermen. They love their own personal brand best of all and will defend it to the death against naysayers. Despite this, there are some objective standards of quality to consider when choosing a fly fishing rod.

Some of the best-known names in the field include G Loomis, Orvis, Redington, Albright, the R.L. Winston Rod Company, Cabelas, Hardy, and Temple Fork fly rods. There are many others as well. They all make great rods. But once you reach a certain level of quality, the differences between rods are more subtle. At this point you should be thinking about your specific fishing needs. You need to know what fish you’re after and where you will be fishing as this determines the weight you’ll need and the length of your rod. Know how much action you prefer in your rod and finally, the best determination of a good rod is its feel. Make sure you have a chance to practice casting before you make your decision.