Understanding Fly Rod Action
Anytime that you're stepping into a new hobby, there are often buzzwords and slang thrown around that you are not going to immediately understand. Fly fishing is no exception to this, and it is probably more confusing than other hobbies because of the sheer amount of knowledge required just to get on the water. Have no fear though, there are plenty of resources out there to help you learn but the best thing that you can do is just ask a veteran for support. We have found that fly fishers are always more than amenable in helping newcomers' step into the wonderful world of fly fishing.
When you begin choosing a fly rod, one of those buzzwords or phrases that you will begin to frequently hear is "Action" or "Fly Rod Action". And when you are researching which fly rod you want to purchase, you will most likely see that the action is described with words like “Fast”, Moderate”, or “Slow” or any combination of those. We're hear to help you understand what that actually means and when you know what it is, what you need to look for in your fly rod.
What is Action?
The action of a fly rod just defines how much the rod flexes during the casting motion. Another way to think of fly rod action is that action is the amount of time that it takes the rod to form a fly line "loop".
A slow action fly rod will flex all the way down the rod, and you will be able to perceive that flexing underneath your cork grip. Fiberglass fly rods are the perfect example of this type of flexing. With a slow action, the entire rod is involved in the flex. There are some modern companies that
Fast action rods are generally stiffer which means that the rod will not flex as much. The flex of these rods will mainly be toward the tip of the blank but can come farther down toward the middle of the rod.
What Action is Best for Me?
The answer really depends on what you want out of your rod, what type of angler you are, or what species of fish you are targeting. There is no 'one' rod for everybody. As you progress as an angler you may find yourself gravitating toward one company or another. You may begin to hear other anglers talking about a "Winston Feel" or the "Sage Stiffness", these terms were cultivated over decades while these fly rod manufacturers began to find the niche for which their rods were built. Winston Fly Rods are among the slowest graphite rods because they were made in and for trout country. Sage, on the other end of the spectrum, possess a very fast action which has helped them define their clientele as bass anglers, coastal fishing, and saltwater.
For beginner anglers, a medium-fast action would be applicable to a multitude of situations. Going to the extremes of a fast or a slow rod is likely to hinder your performance as a beginner angler.
Closing Thoughts
In my time as a fly fisherman, my casting stroke has changed dramatically (hopefully for the better). In the beginning I found myself enjoying the performance of fast rods, retrospectively I was probably equating distance with casting capability. These days I am reaching for more glass rods and moderate-action graphite sticks. In turn, I feel like I have gotten more accurate and that the presentation of my casts has much improved, I notice that I am able to “sneak” my fly up on fish much more competently. By picking up those slower action rods, the entire process of fishing has gotten slower for me as well. I’m taking my time to find appropriate windows, watching the water more closely, and just becoming more in tune with the procedure.
~ Thomas
Fly Fishing the Mad River for Brown Trout