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Flyfishing rods
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here to see our selection of Flyfishing rods.
 Bamboo
flyfishing
rods are still extremely popular, despite the fact
that a plethora of fiberglass and graphite rods have appeared over
the last half century. For many, though, casting a bamboo flyfishing
rod is the only way to go: after all, if you are fly fishing to
commune with nature, why not use the most natural rod? A bamboo
flyfishing rod combines history, art, and sport.
Of course, bamboo fly rods tend to be a bit on the expensive side
of the river bank, so to speak. So, if you are just starting out
in the sport, it may not be worth the extra bucks. In fact, if you
are just starting out, a fiberglass flyfishing rod (the cheapest
of the three) might be just fine for you.
Graphite flyfishing rods are, perhaps, the most common these days.
Why? If you just try out one, even one that is only medium-priced,
you will surely find that they offer you the power and performance
that you desire. They can be very versatile, as well.
So, what is the difference between these three types of fly rods
(bamboo, fiberglass, and graphite), anyhow?
Bamboo Flyfishing Rods
These are the finest, most traditional rods. It can take over 100
hours of labor to make a bamboo fly rod, from selection of the cane
to the wrapping and finishing of the rod. They also tend to be the
most expensive. Just as there are those who paid a pretty penny
to mold and bend and fine-tune violins, the same is true of flyfishing
rods. Building bamboo fly rods is a true art. Bamboo rods are more
flexible than graphite, and they have a slower action which is great
for leisurely and refined fishing.
Fiberglass Flyfishing Rods
These are fairly heavy relative to their size. It can even be 2
or 3 times as heavy as a similarly-sized graphite rod. You may not
notice the extra weight, at first, but after a day of casting and
recasting, it is hard to ignore. The good thing about these flyfishing
rods, though, is that they are very durable and strong. You can
use and abuse a fiberglass rod, and it will take all the abuse in
stride.
Graphite Flyfishing Rods
These are the stiffest rods of the three. They are very strong
for their weight. You can make graphite fly rods with slow or fast
action. You will find that you have more power, versatility, and
performance when using a graphite, rather than a bamboo, flyfishing
rod. You can find graphite flyfishing rods that are on the upper
end of the price range, but you can also find some good ones for
very reasonable amounts. If you know that you are planning on sticking
with the sport, it is a good idea to start out with a medium-priced
graphite rod, first (yes, a fiberglass rod might be fine, but a
graphite one is better!)
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