A fishing rod or a fishing pole is a tool used to catch fish, usually in conjunction with the sport of angling, can also be used in competition casting. A length of fishing line is attached to a long, flexible rod or pole: one end terminates in a hook for catching the fish. A ‘fishing pole’ is a simple pole or stick for suspending a line with a hooked lure or bait. In contrast, ‘fishing rod’ refers to a more sophisticated casting tool fitted with line guides and a reel for line stowage. Fishing rods vary in action as well as length, and can be found in sizes between 24 inches and 20 feet. The longer the rod, the greater the mechanical advantage in casting.

First off, you’ll probably need to use a rather sensitive rod with light line on the reel. This really helps negate the loss of ‘feel’ that you may suffer from as a fly fisherman without a fly rod, and without holding the line in your hands. It’s possible to use heavier fishing line, but I do not recommend it. Also, the lighter line really helps when casting these lightweight flys and their fishing rig. Get your favorite fly, and tie it to the end of your line with an improved cinch knot. Then, attach a small clip-on bobber, or similar bobber, at least 18 inches above the tied on fly.

Fly Fishing rods are, thin, flexible fishing rods designed to cast an artificial fly, usually consisting of a hook tied with fur, feathers, foam, or other lightweight material. Originally made of yew, green hart, and later split bamboo most modern fly rods are constructed from man-made composite materials, including fiberglass, carbon/graphite, or graphite/boron composites. Instead of a weighted lure, a fly rod uses the weight of the fly line for casting, and lightweight rods are capable of casting the very smallest and lightest fly. Typically, a mono filament segment called a “leader” is tied to the fly line on one end and the fly on the other.

Fly rods are almost always built out of carbon graphite. The graphite fibers are laid down in increasingly sophisticated patterns to keep the rod from flattening when stressed. The rod tapers from one end to the other and the degree of taper determines how much of the rod flexes when stressed.

You are now ready to catch fish using this fly fishing with a normal, non-fly rod reel. Simply cast this into the area you are fishing, having added fly oil for floating flys beforehand and fish it as you would a fly. I’ve found these fishing rigs to be especially effective on sunfish, with small ant and Adam’s flys really catching a lot of these scrappy fighters. It can be very hard to spot the fly, and the bobber not only adds a little weight to the rig, but also helps in detecting hits and bites at the fly.

Related Articles with fishing Rod Fly Fishing Reels Guide | Fly Fishing Rods and Guides | Fly fishing equipment