• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Deneki Outdoors Fishing Lodges

Alaska | The Bahamas | Chile

  • About Deneki Outdoors
  • Our Fishing Lodges
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
  • Deneki Blog
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Chile
    • Fish
    • Fishing Reports
    • Fly Tying
    • Gear
    • General
    • Guest Posts
    • News
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
    • Tips
  • Contact Us

Aug 27 2009

How To Buy A Fly Rod – 5 Tips

Lots and lots and lots of choices.
Photo: Cameron Miller

So you’re in the market for a fly rod. Here are 5 tips to help you make the right choice.

  1. Decide what you’re after. You need to narrow things down a little bit more than ‘I need a 6 weight’. The right 6 weight for float tubing for bass is probably different than the right 6 weight for throwing hoppers on the Yakima. Yes, modern fly rods are generally pretty versatile, but the more specific you can be about your intended use, the happier you’re going to be with your choice.
  2. Pick a price range. There are quality $100 fly rods out there, and there are quality $1000 fly rods out there. Setting a budget before you start will help narrow down your choices. One important part of setting your price is deciding whether you want a rod that’s made in the USA – if that’s important to you, you need to know going in that a US-made rod is going to be more expensive.
  3. Cast a few if possible. Even if you’re just starting out and may not know what sort of action you prefer, holding and casting a rod helps a lot. Rods vary a lot in terms of things like size and shape of the cork grip, fit and finish, and weight – trying them out will help you decide what suits you. One important note: try hard to cast the rods with the same line, and the line that you’re likely to use on the one you buy. Fly lines can impact casting feel and performance as much as, or even more than, the rod they’re lined up on. If you don’t live near a fly shop and choose to buy online, make sure you understand return policies in advance in case you’re not thrilled with your new baby when it arrives.
  4. Learn about warranty policies. ‘Lifetime warranties’ are the norm these days, but the details of how these warranties work can vary quite a bit. What’s the fee to replace a section if and when your rod breaks? What’s the normal turnaround time for repairs? Lifetime warranties are not all the same.
  5. Buy from someone you trust. If you like having a fly shop in town that offers quality products, good advice and great customer service, you should buy your rod from that shop, plain and simple. If you don’t have a local shop or you prefer shopping online, buy from a reputable online retailer that’s doing some good for the industry – two we know and trust are Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters and Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters.

Most importantly, have fun with your new toy!

Fly Rods We Like
Sage 690-4 Z-Axis
Sage 790-4 TCX
Sage 5126-4 Z-Axis

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Charmaine says

    August 29, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    If you're going for higher quality, US made fly rods, might I also suggest R.L. Winston Rod, based in Twin Bridges, MT. They make affordable rods, high quality graphite rods, and also the very coveted bamboo rods. Just check them out at http://www.winstonrods.com/home.html

  2. pweemd says

    January 5, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    what do you think about my old fly rods the 8 wt Thomas and Thomas Solar, and the Sage One? Can I catch a fish?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Plan Your Trip

Let our experts plan the fishing adventure of your dreams.
Contact Now

Search Topics

Subscribe to our newsletter

All Blog Posts

Recent Posts

  • From All of Us to All of You-Thank you!
  • Deneki Chronicles: Tying Neater Flies – 5 (More) Tips
  • Deneki Chronicles: Tying Neater Flies – 5 Tips
  • Independence Day 2022
  • 8 Tips to a Better Strip Set

All About Spey

All About Trout

All About Bonefishing

All About Gear

Best Posts

Footer

Deneki Outdoors

Mailing address:
200 W 34th Ave.
PMB 1170
Anchorage, AK 99503

Office:
4451 Aircraft Drive
Suite 202
Anchorage, AK 99502

US Information and Reservations
800-344-3628

International Information and Reservations
+1 907-563-9788

Email: info@deneki.com

Our Lodges

Rapids Camp
King Salmon, Alaska

Alaska West
Kanektok River, Alaska

Andros South
South Andros Island, The Bahamas

Rio Salvaje
Puerto Montt, Chile

Deneki Outdoors thanks Peter Viau, Tosh Brown, Abe Blair, Kyle Shea and Kara Knight for the beautiful photography used on our sites.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

#denekioutdoors

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2022 · Deneki Outdoors · Privacy Policy · Site by 21 Designs