Thanks guys for your help with my reel inquiry. Now I need to pick a pole. I'm thinking of something in a 9' #5. and under $150.
TFO Signature, ECHO Classic, Sage Launch, Scott V2, and a few others out there are decent med. action rods for less than 200 bones. I own a TFO pro that I love (in a 7wt) and an echo classic that I also love (in 3wt) as well as a loner TFO sig. (in a 4wt) they all fish you just have to get out there and cast some. Peace
Oilslick, Anybody who wants a pole to fish with ought to just grab whatever's available in the barrel at some second hand store for $1.50. If it's a fly rod you're after, it's really pretty simple. Today there are almost no bad graphite fly rods on the market. You're in a pretty good position to be a successful consumer. You can get a good 9' 5 wt fly rod for anywhere from $79 - $800 or more, and they will all serve you well. If you're asking us for advice, I presume you have no preconceived notions of your own. In that case, you could visit a couple sports shops or fly fishing specialty shops (where you can usually do some test casting) and wiggle a bunch of rods. Buy the one that best turns your crank. Or you could read posts here about each of our favorite brands and models and choose from among those, never knowing what may actually be the rod you'll most prefer. Sincerely, Salmo g.
oooh, gotta love the (no fault) warrantee TFO offeres. So if my son ever decides to play sword fighting with it, or my drunk buddy sets his cooler on it, im covered.
I used rod in my thread title. You can allow a guy some bad habbits right? Your right, I have no preconcieved notions. And I will be swinging some poles around the local fly shop. But since fly fishing seems to be so damn scientific, I thought it would be a good idea to atleast have a few TESTED ones to start my search from instead of a hundred of them offered at the fly shop. Its enough to make your head spin.
There's really nothing scientific about it. Flyfishing is all about feel. What feels good to one person is a 2x4 to another. Go cast a few rods and you'll figure out what feels good in your hand. When I first started fishing, an IMX would have felt like a broomstick so I bought a fiberglass Lami that had a real slow action. I loved that rod. After a couple years I picked up my buddies IMX and was able to load the rod and get another 20' of line out. I don't think I'd have ever started flyfishing if an IMX was the only choice out there. $150 and you can have my old Lami. It wouldn't be a bad start.
I'm pretty much a beginner fly fisher myself (eight months) so won't go about harping on the qualities of one rod over another, especially on a forum like this. Instead I'd like to offer a small insight. Salmo's right that you need to do some shopping and lay hands on a bunch of rods, but I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the performance end of things. Look for your price point, a rod that you like to look at and a rod sized appropriately for the kind of fishing you'll be doing most. Right now the two biggest observations you'll be able to muster about a rod are, 1. Yep, that rod's longer than the one next to it, and 2. Yep, that rod cost more than the other one. Like all beginners you have no basis for comparision between rods to gauge performance. You need to get a rod, no matter what it is, cast and fish the heck out of it, and then go cast a lot of rods again at a shop. Then you'll at least know how the shop rods feel and perform against the rod you started with. Using this information, you can make a better decision on your next rod purchase based on what you, personally, like. But without some personal experience with a rod asking about what rod is better than the other is a moot point.
Post of the year right there! Does a beginning snow skier know the difference between good skis and bad? No.
My personal preference for that price range are the Echo's. I recently bought two for traveling as my other rods are 2pc Sages. I have since found myself leaving the Sages at home.
I just started fly fishing this summer and purchased Redington RS3 rods in 5wt and 3wt. List for $199 but found both for around $140. I am not a expert by any means but nice rods with life time warranty, hard to beat for that price.
I'm glad you specified your budget, because the best rod for my money cost me an arm and a leg, but, I like fishing with it a lot too. So, go out and test cast a few with in your price range. Don't be afraid to spend a little more, if you find something you really like, because you probably wont regret it, and it will make your fishing more enjoyable. Sam
Yep, that seems to be the standard advise on a thread like this. "Go to a shop, cast a few and find one that fits your style." Good advise if you have a "style". If you're just starting out, just get something you can take to the park and learn how to cast with on the lawn. Doesn't have to be fancy. Matter of fact, this site has a pretty good classified section and you might want to see if you can find a used rod. Again, make and model don't matter as much as price point. You can probably find a perfectly-adequate used rod for around $100. (Or, you could go with an entry-level new rod for less than $200 although it won't have the same resale value. Many good suggestions on new rods here.) Take your rod to the park and teach yourself to cast. Maybe even take a couple of lessons or find a friend who can give you some pointers. Once you get a consistant stroke down, take it to a stream and learn how the line works on the water. After a while, maybe you'll even hook a few fish. Then again, maybe not. Maybe fly fishing isn't for you. But you won't know until you try. If things work out and you decide this is the sport for you, you can sell that $100 rod for close to what you paid for it and go out and buy a rod that fits your newfound "style". Or, you can keep that rod as a momento of your effort to learn this sport. If you find out the sport isn't for you and the rod ends up collecting dust in a closet, not much harm done. Heck, you could probably even get your money back by selling it on the classifieds. Best advise; get something -- anything -- and learn how to use it. Everything else is secondary.
Go to your local shop and try several rods in your price range. Also look for close-outs and used rods. There is a Cali outfitter that has awsome deals on used gear. I liked St. Croix and Echo. Many like Redington, but they are not for me. Once you find one you like, buy it from the local place. Cabelas and Ebay wont let you cast before you buy! I have had a relationship with the local shop for 17 years. There are pictures of my wife and I there from the early 1990's. He was good to me when I had limited funds, frequently discounting his goods. I don't ask for any discount now. I let it go to the next guy who desrves it. Eric
My vote would be TFO. Also, avoid Orvis' Clearwater. That was the first rod I bought. It was ok but the rod sections didnt match well. I would frequently cast and the top three sections of the rod would shoot down the line leaving me with the reel and the butt section in my hand and a puzzled look on my face. Cheers, John
A huge benefit of spending time in a local shop shopping for rods is that you will get a lot of free casting advise too. Shop alot. Some shops will even loan you rods to fish with so you can test them on the water before you buy. If the shop is any good they will be more than willing to find you the perfect rod for your style and budget.
There really aren't any bad rods in that price range and everyone ends up liking something different. Get one with a good warranty.
iagree Good advice here...but I'm not sure I'd say ANYTHING is a good choice. I'd look for a reputable company, strong warranty and somethings with a medium to medium-fast action. I know the TFOs get a lot of good press here -- and I'm sure it's somewhat warranted (though I wasn't a big fan of the Pro in a 4# but did like the TiCr). I think TFO has done an excellent job of putting a quality rod out there and a fabulous job of marketing their product. There are others out there (Echo, Redington, Albright as well as the less-expensive rods from the big boys - Sage, Loomis, Scott, Winston) that are probably as good or even better rods, but where the companies have stumbled or simply ignored the marketing end of things. I'll throw my own personal experience out for what its worth. My first rod was (is) a 6# Albright A5 purchased from my local (now defunct) fly shop. I had absolutely no clue what I was doing, but it hit my price point (under $200), was highly recommended by the shop owner, and I had a friend with more experience come and give it a toss in the parking lot. It worked out quite well...I've been completely smitten by the sport, have added 4 other rods to the quiver (including a couple of 'top end' models) and I am still impressed with how this sub-$200 first rod performs. Happy shopping -- and without question the best piece of advice I can give is to hit a local shop or two (check the site sponsors for an obvious starting point).
I recently purchased a Cabela's LST 6 wt. in the $180 range. I have used it since June sporadically and find it to be a nice rod for the money. I recently tested two Simms rods, a 5 wt and a 6 wt and they compared in casting ability. The Simms 5 wt was as flexible as the Cabela's and the Simms 6wt. was a bit stiffer. I would buy another LST if I needed one.
You ought to just spin fish. Because before you are thru you are going to spend tons of money on flyfishing gear alone. Plus all the stuff you need for tying flies, and that can get you to almost go broke. Unless you are filthy rich. Then you are going to need a boat,Pontoon, or a float tube. And toys to make all this work. So please stop and think about what you are doing before you end up in the poor house and are divoriced.
Go with the TFO so when it breaks it will only cost $25 + postage. I did cast an Echo at last years Sportsman Show and I did like it. You should search Ebay or Craigslist for a high quality used rod. I'm guessing that next question will be which flyline. Don't go cheap here. I suggest the Rio Grand which loads the rod well and is easy to cast.
