Like anything that has such a huge personal component the only way to really decide is to cast them side by side and trust your "feel" One point with the more economy class of rods to watch out for though is an over fast action. Fast actions give an automatic appearance of control and responsiveness; they also will cast further in novices hands. But that super fast action hides a lousy performance issue, when it comes to finesse. If you pick up a rod and give it a really good shake watch where the harmonic point is (the point at which it seems the rod does not move). The further up the rod this is the faster the action. The rod should also flex all the way into the grip. It's funny, every fisherman from a grizzled old bait fisherman to the sparkle eyed six year old will instinctively shake a new rod like this the instant they pick it up but almost none of them know what they are actually looking at. If only the tip seems to move than the rod will be stiff and unresponsive on the stream even if it seems to cast well in the showroom. I like a fast action rod but there is a reason that most of the premier rod blanks fast actions are on the expensive side- the blank is harder to make to get that flex balance right, cheap ones will only flex at the tip and not throughout the blank..
The most important characteristic of a fly rod is do you like the way it casts, mends etc in your hands. You are the only one who's opinion counts. Mike M -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 2:03 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [VFB] Fly Rods, Reels, and Combos Mike: I guess since you made this statement, I take it that graphite ferrules casts farther that metal ones??? I never thought about this but it makes sense... Also, How do I know the difference between a good rod and a bad one... I mean... You lay two rods side by side, take the label off them. Both have the same (looking) cork handle. Both are made of graphite.. Both appear to be well made, with things like the thread holding on the ferrules looks good, and very even etc etc ... One has a price tag of 59.95.. the other has a tag of 599.95... How does a novice like me, just looking at magazines choose??? They all "claim" to be the "best" in the ads... The shows were mentioned, but the nearest toi Me are Atlanta and Birmingham, and I hate all the traffic (I've been out in the sticks sooo long a three car jam scares Me LOL)..But what I mean, is, other that the "name brand" and you are paying for that companies million dollar ad campaigns, is there REALLY and big differences???? This is for anybody who can answer it, and I sure appreciate any and all help, cause I'm toooo 'po to play "hit or miss" with buying rods...Thanks, Chuck > Fenwick at the time was one of the better fly rods available (fiberglass > anyway) and one of the very first to get rid of that nasty metal > ferrule.
