Fly Fishing Rods

Widespread fishing reveals that a fly rod length should be chosen based on the line control needed by fly rods, although compromises extend uses.

The most popular length for fly rods is 9 ½’ SH. It casts distance on stillwaters reasonably accurately, picks up well and controls drag across river currents – a fly fishing all-rounder. 

Second, 9’ SH rods cast distance on stillwaters more accurately, but pick up less. They are much used on larger, breezy chalk streams for fly presentation.

8’ SH rods increase accuracy, decrease pick up and cast under modest foliage, making them definitive river trout fly rods 

7’ SH rods accurately present a fly on densely overhung trout streams, to close fish.              

Increasing rods to 10’ or 11’ SH is required for short, drifting boat casts or European nymph fishing. 

For rivers, 13’ and 14’ DH rods achieve good casting distance and fly drag control in currents, but fishing solo creates netting problems.

Powerful 9’ SH rods are popular for windy saltwater fishing and fishing large pike lures.

A distance fly rod longer than 9 ½’ SH distance rods may disappoint, my 70 yard record fishing rod was shortened to 9’ 3”. 

Finally, ‘middle to tip action rods’ means a stiff lower half, with most of the bend in the top half.