By Kirk Deeter

So much of fly rod marketing revolves around "how far," "how fast," and "how light" that I think one of the more important performance factors—the feel—gets lost in the shuffle.

When it comes to selecting a rod, sensitivity is priority number one for a lot of the bass and walleye fishermen I know. And yes, some of the newer-generation fly rods (especially those meant for Euro-style nymphing) are designed to optimize feel, but I sometimes think the market has out-engineered itself.  Some of the rod models from 15 or 20 years ago (or longer)—rods we'd call graphite classics now—do a pretty fine job of offering the whole performance package of distance, versatility, and feel.  I'm talking about rods like the Winston IM6, the original G Series from Scott, the Loomis GLX, and the Sage 590 RPL. If you have one, keep it. If you can grab one on eBay, do it.

One of the misconceptions that many trout anglers have is feeling like they have to match the rod they use to the size of the fish they plan to catch. "Oh, if you're going to fish a river where there are 20-inch browns, you'll want to use a #6-weight or more." I've caught plenty of big browns in places like the Beaverhead River in Montana and the Delaware in New York/Pennsylvania on #3-weights. The rod you choose depends on the line you want to cast. The line you choose depends on the flies you want to throw. The flies you want to throw depend on the weather and water conditions. And that should depend (obviously) on what the fish are eating.

Sure, there is a point of diminishing returns when lightening up.  I wouldn't necessarily go tarpon fishing with a #3-weight (actually, I did go tarpon fishing with a tenkara rod).   So I'd propose to you that "over-gunning" your trout with a bigger line weight rod will cause you to lose MORE trout than being a little lighter on the rod side. Why? Because you can feel that fish's movements better during the fight with the lighter, more sensitive rod. And if you're only using 4-pound-test tippet, you might rather have the ability to sense what the fish is doing than have a big stick with backbone that ultimately won't do you much good.

In dry fly fishing, the sensitivity factor doesn't really matter until after the fight starts. It's all about the cast and the drift, so the new, fast rods offer great advantages in putting the bug in the money zone, no doubt. But the old school rods still hold their own—and then some—once the fight begins.

Comments (13)

from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 5 days ago

Means little. Stiffer rods, faster action rods will be somewhat more sensitive than slower, more flexible rods, as well as lighter rods will respond with more sensitivity BUT...the best advantage you can have regarding sensitivity is YOUR EYES !! You see the line twitch, you see the tip tap-tap. I've fished right next to someone, say in the boat, who had a bite, and didn't know it, and out of peripheral vision, I saw the rod tip acting irregularly. It becomes knowing what to look for.

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from Koldkut wrote 33 weeks 5 days ago

Sensitivity is important for a few techniques, otherwise, the eyes have it.

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from jaukulele wrote 33 weeks 4 days ago

I've always subscribed to what feels best to you. What's always felt best to me is a lighter rod. Like Kirk said, it allows for a little more finesse in situations where you need to use a lighter line and is overall, more versatile. Good read.

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from buckhunter wrote 33 weeks 4 days ago

Sensitive rods are okay. I just hate it if they cry when a fish breaks off. I consider that overly sensitive.

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from Bez wrote 33 weeks 3 days ago

I'm relatively new to fly fishing, so I'm intrigued by this topic. When I asked a far more experienced fly fisherman whether to by a fast or medium action rod, he told me, "You will like what you learn on.". Any thoughts?

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from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 3 days ago

Sure do have thoughts, and glad BEZ that you are interested in actual substance, and not just "funny posts to read." You are the person I am interested in providing useful info for as I have been a flyfishing instructor for 30 yrs. now, and take it very seriously in order to get young folks interested in the sport. You want a medium action rod to learn on(speaking in general terms) Most beginners do not start out with a real agressive proper stroke where they can flex a fast action rod by the speed of their stroke. You generally start out with a slower stroke, and may stay that way which is OK, but the slower stroke needs the rod to flex under the wt. of the line that you are taking back on the backcast, and forward on the forecast. Fast action rods are hard to feel the rod flex, and hard to get proper timing. A too cheap rod as it often is the case could be too flexy, too slow, and cause big open loops as you cast the line, and not provide the the better loop formation you need to layout the line. Many rods now that you might pickup off the shelf are med. fast action rods, and that is acceptable. These are the best all around action sellers, and why you find most of them in Med. fast. You can always "overload" a rod by putting a one up heavier line on the reel than the rod suggests, but I don't like to do that. 5wts now are far, and away the biggest sellers, and best all around rods for trout use, panfish, and casting a range of flies. Not until the bigger bass flies do you need a heavier rod to cast these flies. Feel free to ask any other substantive questions. This site can be about good information, believe it, or not.

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from buckhunter wrote 33 weeks 3 days ago

Bez, I like that statement. "You will like what you learn on." It goes well with the Einstein quote “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”

Take your fly rod to the river and let your imagination run wild. Fly fishing without rules is the only way to go.

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from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 3 days ago

BEZ..Your choice, who you want to believe? Buck says have fun with a willow stick if you so choose.

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from Brad Hanson wrote 33 weeks 1 day ago

I try to keep four or five different rods in my car on most days. I love the feel of old fiberglass rods, old graphite and the new super resin rods. I fish 4wt. to 10wt's on any given day. Whether I catch a 3" bluegill or 30 lb. tarpon they are all fun and all work. You just have to get into the feel of the rod, become one with it. I think a willow pole may be awesome, slower than split bamboo? I believe that you need to sensitize your self to the rod.

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from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 1 day ago

Brad Hope to see you out on the open water some day with your willow rod havin fun.

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from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 1 day ago

Brad (con't)
And the wind blowing a gale. We are talking about getting someone into flyfishing, not someone that owns a 10 wt.

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from jaukulele wrote 32 weeks 6 days ago

clinch, I like your thoughts but you sure know how to kill a thread...just sayin'.

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from Improved-clinchknot wrote 32 weeks 6 days ago

With the folks that frequent here, hard facts are hard to swallow.

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from jaukulele wrote 33 weeks 4 days ago

I've always subscribed to what feels best to you. What's always felt best to me is a lighter rod. Like Kirk said, it allows for a little more finesse in situations where you need to use a lighter line and is overall, more versatile. Good read.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 33 weeks 4 days ago

Sensitive rods are okay. I just hate it if they cry when a fish breaks off. I consider that overly sensitive.

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from jaukulele wrote 32 weeks 6 days ago

clinch, I like your thoughts but you sure know how to kill a thread...just sayin'.

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from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 5 days ago

Means little. Stiffer rods, faster action rods will be somewhat more sensitive than slower, more flexible rods, as well as lighter rods will respond with more sensitivity BUT...the best advantage you can have regarding sensitivity is YOUR EYES !! You see the line twitch, you see the tip tap-tap. I've fished right next to someone, say in the boat, who had a bite, and didn't know it, and out of peripheral vision, I saw the rod tip acting irregularly. It becomes knowing what to look for.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Koldkut wrote 33 weeks 5 days ago

Sensitivity is important for a few techniques, otherwise, the eyes have it.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Bez wrote 33 weeks 3 days ago

I'm relatively new to fly fishing, so I'm intrigued by this topic. When I asked a far more experienced fly fisherman whether to by a fast or medium action rod, he told me, "You will like what you learn on.". Any thoughts?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 3 days ago

Sure do have thoughts, and glad BEZ that you are interested in actual substance, and not just "funny posts to read." You are the person I am interested in providing useful info for as I have been a flyfishing instructor for 30 yrs. now, and take it very seriously in order to get young folks interested in the sport. You want a medium action rod to learn on(speaking in general terms) Most beginners do not start out with a real agressive proper stroke where they can flex a fast action rod by the speed of their stroke. You generally start out with a slower stroke, and may stay that way which is OK, but the slower stroke needs the rod to flex under the wt. of the line that you are taking back on the backcast, and forward on the forecast. Fast action rods are hard to feel the rod flex, and hard to get proper timing. A too cheap rod as it often is the case could be too flexy, too slow, and cause big open loops as you cast the line, and not provide the the better loop formation you need to layout the line. Many rods now that you might pickup off the shelf are med. fast action rods, and that is acceptable. These are the best all around action sellers, and why you find most of them in Med. fast. You can always "overload" a rod by putting a one up heavier line on the reel than the rod suggests, but I don't like to do that. 5wts now are far, and away the biggest sellers, and best all around rods for trout use, panfish, and casting a range of flies. Not until the bigger bass flies do you need a heavier rod to cast these flies. Feel free to ask any other substantive questions. This site can be about good information, believe it, or not.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 33 weeks 3 days ago

Bez, I like that statement. "You will like what you learn on." It goes well with the Einstein quote “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”

Take your fly rod to the river and let your imagination run wild. Fly fishing without rules is the only way to go.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 3 days ago

BEZ..Your choice, who you want to believe? Buck says have fun with a willow stick if you so choose.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Brad Hanson wrote 33 weeks 1 day ago

I try to keep four or five different rods in my car on most days. I love the feel of old fiberglass rods, old graphite and the new super resin rods. I fish 4wt. to 10wt's on any given day. Whether I catch a 3" bluegill or 30 lb. tarpon they are all fun and all work. You just have to get into the feel of the rod, become one with it. I think a willow pole may be awesome, slower than split bamboo? I believe that you need to sensitize your self to the rod.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 1 day ago

Brad Hope to see you out on the open water some day with your willow rod havin fun.

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from clinchknot wrote 33 weeks 1 day ago

Brad (con't)
And the wind blowing a gale. We are talking about getting someone into flyfishing, not someone that owns a 10 wt.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Improved-clinchknot wrote 32 weeks 6 days ago

With the folks that frequent here, hard facts are hard to swallow.

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Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.