Your fishing rod is one of the two pieces of gear that determines the quality of your fishing experience. Because of this, it is extremely important to pick the rod that best fits your needs. You should consider your needs before buying for example what type of fish will you be catching? Fly fishing rods are extremely specialized pieces of equipment and they come in different lengths and styles depending on the intended use.

Some of the top new rods for 2009 are Hardy and Grey’s Angel 2 series, G. Loomis’ Shorestalker series, and Orvis’ new 11 and 12 weight ZG Helios rods. Hardy and Grey are now distributing their whole catalogue in the U.S. as well as Europe and so are offering some stiff competition to high-end American rod makers. Their Angel 2 series is a good example. It combines top end components with an undeniable aesthetic appeal. It offers a crisp and controlled cast and can improve casting range, accuracy, and presentation. The Shorestalker series is designed for warm water and light saltwater use. These light rods are a good choice for placing poppers and streamers precisely when fishing from shore. They offer a smooth and powerful cast. Finally, the 11 and 12 weight ZG Helios rods are generating excitement as super light rods that maintain tip control while holding a lot of line in the air.