How Much Should I Pay for a Fly Rod?

I am often asked by beginners how much do they need to pay for a new fly rod.  What they are often getting at is what is the difference between a rod that costs $200, and one that could be more than $900?  Now before I go any further, I need to confess that it is quite possible that I may own more expensive fly rods than my wife is aware of, along with a collection of less expensive rods that seem to collect over time.  I definitely have my favorites.  But after fishing with many different rods over my life, I think its fair to give my perspectives on what you are getting when you buy a rod.

I once had a conversation with a sales rep (for one of the more expensive rod lines) who made the argument that you should always start people out with the very best rod possible, so they never feel disappointed.  My long time friend Macauley Lord once pointed out very succinctly, “some people just know they would rather drive a BMW than a Chevy, and its pretty likely that they can tell the difference”.  Fair enough.  There is nothing wrong with starting out at the top end.  If the rod feels good and price is not an issue, go for it. Odds are that you won’t be disappointed.  However, if you want a little more background to understand what the differences actually are, keep reading.

I need to start by saying that buying a quality rod is important.  This doesn't necessarily equate to expensive, but there are fly rods for sale at generic department stores that are very cheap and frankly aren’t worth the plastic they are packaged in.  When I give casting instruction, I generally like my students to use the rods that they own, so they can learn and practice with the fly rod that they will actually be fishing with.  In one case a guy brought out a cheap department store “fly rod” that had such a weird flex pattern, it truly was less useful than a broom stick (and yes, I have cast with a broom stick.  Let’s just say there was a party with a bunch of guides, some beverages, and perhaps a bet…)  I handed him one of the rods I use for guiding, which was a modest price rod designed for beginners, and very quickly he was mastering his cast.

So if you are a beginner and you don’t want to spend too much money, I strongly recommend that you go to a fly shop, and not a department store.  Most manufactures of quality fly rods have fly rods designed with first timers in mind.  In general these rods will cost around $200, and often come paired with a reel loaded with the proper fly line and backing.  The most important part about starting with one of these rods is that THEY WORK!  It is almost impossible to learn how to present a fly with a rod that doesn’t have the taper and flex that will impart energy to the fly line properly.  You will still need instruction and practice, but at least when you do things correctly the rod will also do its job.  This is definitely a case where skimping on quality to save money will cost you a lot in function, but you can get good function without breaking the bank.

What about the other side?  Do you get that much more by trading up to an expensive rod?  Here is where the answer gets more complicated.  Going from a good fly rod to a great fly rod involves a surprising amount of technology, especially when it comes to materials.  There is also an element of craftsmanship that goes into expensive rods, that is quite literally an art.  Some of this is the secret sauce of creating the perfect taper that delivers the fly just so, and some of this is putting everything together in a way that creates a thing of visual beauty that you can hold in your hand.  Finally there is a level of customization that you can get with high end rods that allows you to match the rod exactly to your casting style.

When it comes to materials, there has been a continual evolution of graphite compounds and resins that deliver higher strength for their weight.  An expensive rod might have a similar action to a quality but less expensive rod, but it will be lighter.  Using more physics than I should really claim to understand, a reduction of just a few ounces over the length of a 9 foot rod can reduce the force you need to swing or load the rod by a couple of pounds.  Multiply that by hundreds of casts on a full day of fishing, and the result is that a lighter rod will leave you less fatigued at the end of the day.  When I was twenty, that didn’t make a big difference , but these days at the end of the day I appreciate the lighter rod.

As for tapers, manufacturers can vary where the rod bends, and how stiff or soft it will feel.  This is the secret sauce of rod making.  High end rod brands will all claim that they have the perfect flex, and will provide the most accurate casts, best presentations, greatest distance, etc.  The truth is that a skilled angler can make a good cast with any decent rod, yet for each individual, some rods will “feel” better than others.  Today, there are ultra fast rods (read really stiff) that are preferred by competition casters that can help you achieve longer distance.  Kind of like a high performance sports car, in the hands of an expert that can do amazing things, but for a novice they will amplify mistakes.  Softer rods can replicate the slow feel of bamboo, which is comforting to some, but perhaps less efficient when it comes to getting your fly out in any kind of wind.  Between these two extremes lie every possible mix you can imagine.  The key here is that in the upper price range, you can get rods that have a specialized taper designed to have a specific purpose and feel.

Going back for a moment to bamboo, or really tonkin cane.  These rods are the epitome of beauty meets function.  Hand made bamboo rods are truly beautiful, and can costs thousands of dollars.  While my belief is that modern graphite will outperform the best bamboo rods, if you like the feel of bamboo, and enjoy holding something that is a one of a kind work of art from a master, you will enjoy one of these rods.  As for the high end graphite rods, you will still notice artistic flourishes from the wood used for the reel seat, to the cork grip, and even the thread wraps along the rod.  I will confess, its nice to use a rod that clearly looks like someone put time into it to make it pretty.

Finally, everyone has a unique personal style of casting.  In the high end rods, it is quite realistic to find a rod that will truly “feel” the best in your hands.  Part of this is how the taper works for the way you like to cast and fish.  Another part of this is the actual grip of the rod.  In the photo above are three rods that are all expensive, but made by three different rod manufacturers.  Note how the shape of the cork grip varies.  Each one of these is a great fly rod, but they will all feel different.  One will feel better than the others.  When you cast different rods, some will work better with your particular casting stroke than others.  Perhaps the best thing about expensive rods is that there is truly going to be a rod that is perfect for you.  If you plan to get a really good rod, spend some time casting different models.  Pay attention to which rod allows you to deliver a good cast with the least mental effort.  That is the rod for you.

Again, I can’t emphasize enough that there are rods that will not break the bank, that will fish perfectly well, and can give you a lifetime of fun fishing.  You can catch lots of fish, and have plenty of fun with a quality, but less expensive rod.  On the same token, getting to work with a lightweight, high performance rod is a pure delight.  If you can afford the price tag, take the time to test out enough different options so that you know you have the right one, then enjoy.

By Scot Bealer

Scot first started guiding in the 1980’s, and has fished extensively through the rocky mountain west and many other parts of the world.  When not on the water, he is typically out working with his wife, Lea Frye, doing wildlife photography.  See their work at https://www.leaf-images.com, or follow them on Instagram @lea.f_images