What is it to be used for:

The first thought when selecting a fly rod, is it’s most often intended use. Are you casting for Tarpon or small trout on a creek? Most likely somewhere in between, and maybe even several uses. You first need to think about size of water you are mostly going to be fishing, and then size of fly you intend to cast. After that you need to consider size of fish you intend to catch. The rod size effects both casting and playing of fish. The nice thing is if you are both a smallmouth bass and a rainbow trout fisher, you can probably get by with one rod. The same for Largemouth and Steelhead and Salmon. You might not get ultimate choice for either, but depending on your budget you can get a very nice choice for a variety of fishing conditions.

THE #’s:

Fly rod sizes are categorized by number’s. Unlike flies, where smaller number, larger fly. Rods go by larger number larger fly rod. A number 3 rod is a very light rod, used for small trout in small streams. A 12 wt. rod is used for Tarpon, Stripers and other fish that need long distance casting, big flies. The most popular all-around rods are in 5-6 category, here you can cover whole gamut of trout fishing and a good chunk of bass fishing as well. A number 6 rod can also tackle small steelhead and other sea-run fish, if angler is skilled. Most steelhead angler’s will choose a bigger rod however, in 7-9 range, and they can also fish salmon with that range as well.

The other number to consider is length. 9’ is by far most popular length right now. You can cast a 9’ long distances without getting tired, and have good control of drift. If fishing smaller streams and or bushy areas, 9’ will frustrate you, as there isn’t enough room to maneuver it. Rods commonly go down to 7’ and even shorter ones can be found. If doing a lot of fishing out of a float tube, longer rods are common place, as one can get more distance with a longer rod, and extra length helps to keep fly off water on backcast.

Action:

Here it gets even more complicated, as different manufacturers call action of their rod different things. But basically action can be broken down into slow, moderate and fast. Many manufacturers have 4 classification, but they all are based on same concept. And that is how much of rod will bend, when casting.

Rick's a big guy, he's got a great sense of humor and we usually end up having a lot of laughs.

Anyway, my friend Augie invited me to join him and his friend Tony next day. This was back when I was playing everyday. So,naturally, I said sure. Besides, I thought it was nice of Augie to invite me along.

Even nicer, I thought, when he said I should invite someone else along too.

That's where Rick came in.

I phoned him at office and here's how conversation went:

Joe: "Hey, Rick. What's up?"

Rick: "Just takin' care of business." (One of Rick's businesses is in Translation - www.wwttinc.com)

Joe: "How would you like to join me for a round of golf tomorrow? We need a fourth."

Rick: "Aw man, I'd love to. But Karen would kill me if I went out again. I played four out of last 5 days...It seems like all I've been doing is playing golf lately. I don't think so. No. There's no way I can go. Thanks though."

Joe: "That's too bad. I guess I'll have to keep lookin'"

Rick: "Hey, who you playing with anyway?"

Joe: "Me, Augie, Tony and whoever I get as a fourth?"

Rick: "Tony? Tony who?"