Through or Slow action fly rods flex from the tip right through to the butt. Slow action fly rods do not generate high line speeds due to their flexibility, and are designed for anglers who need to make short and very accurate and gentle casts. As such, slow action fly rods are ideal for fly-fishing smaller rivers, streams and other areas that require anglers to make short and accurate casts. Additionally, slow action fly fishing rods excel in protecting light tippets.

Medium or Middle to Tip action rods are probably the most common action used and are the workhorses of the fly fishing rod world. They are by far the most popular fly rods on the market today. Medium action fly rods are also the most versatile of fly rods. They can make longer casts quite adequately, especially in the hands of a good caster while being forgiving to the beginner. A great all round action suitable for a range of different fishing situation.

Tip or Fast action fly rods tend to be stiff, only flexing in the tip section. This generates high line speeds and tight loops for extreme distance and greater accuracy. Due to the high line speed generated by fast action fly rods, casting in windy conditions is much easier – especially if used in conjunction with advanced casting techniques that help reduce some of the effect of wind resistance.

The material from which a rod is made plays an important role in determining its performance, durability, weight and – finally – price. Graphite (Carbon) is the most commonly used material today. High modulus Graphite is extremely strong and light, which gives it the ability to recover to its original straight position with very little vibration. This improves your casting distance and accuracy. Usually the better quality the graphite – the higher the price.

The recent advances in rod building materials have made multi section rods virtually identical to two-piece models. In short, a multi-section fishing rod now offers the fly fisherman a much higher level of convenience, and is a boon to those who travel with their fly fishing tackle; at little or no cost to the fishing rod’s performance or weight.

Almost exclusively, rod handles are made from cork. The higher the grade of cork used, the longer the handle will last. The two main shapes of fly rod handle are Half Wells ( usually used on lighter rods 9ft AFTM 6 and below), and Full Wells (this type of handle gives a better grip and used on longer rods casting heavier AFTM 7,8 & 9 lines)

This depends; there are a number of perfectly good rods on the market priced between £50 – £100. There are big differences between the cheaper and expensive rods, such as quality of fittings and finish. An expensive fishing rod will almost always be lighter, more responsive and have a quicker recovery speed for generating tighter loops for superior casts. Our advice is to never hesitate to spend as much as you can reasonably afford, but try not to go over the top, especially when starting out in the sport. Why not contact one of our expert advisors for free advise on choosing the right model?