Fly Fishing Knowledge Base
How important is balancing a fly rod and reel?
When buying a new fly outfit, you'll often hear anglers talking about achieving the "perfect balance". While balance is certainly worth considering...
What is a fly reel drag system, and do I need an expensive one?
A fly reel drag system controls how easily a fish can pull line from the reel. As pressure is applied to the spool, the drag provides controlled re...
Should I choose a large arbor or standard arbor fly reel?
One of the first things you'll notice when comparing fly reels is the size of the spool's centre, known as the **arbor**.
Although it may seem lik...
Should I buy a die-cast or CNC-machined fly reel?
One of the biggest differences between fly reels is how they are manufactured. Some reels are produced using **die-cast aluminium**, while others a...
How do I choose the right fly reel?
A fly reel may appear simpler than a fly rod or fly line, but choosing the right one still matters. The reel must hold the correct fly line and bac...
What fly rod should I choose for salmon fishing?
Salmon fly fishing places greater demands on tackle than almost any other branch of fly fishing. Larger flies, heavier fly lines, stronger fish and...
What makes a good stillwater fly rod?
Stillwater fly rods are designed to meet a very different set of demands from river rods. While river fishing often focuses on delicate presentatio...
Should I buy a 4-piece or 6-piece fly rod?
One of the most common questions anglers ask when buying a new fly rod is whether a 4-piece or 6-piece rod is the better choice. Years ago, this wa...
What makes a good river fly rod?
Choosing a river fly rod is about much more than simply selecting the right line weight. River size, casting distance, surrounding vegetation, fish...
How does fly rod length affect performance, and what length fly rod should I choose?
When choosing a fly rod, most anglers focus on the line weight, but the length of the rod is just as important. Rod length influences casting, line...
What are fly rods made from, and does the material really make a difference?
Modern fly rods have evolved enormously over the last few decades. While today's rods may look similar from the outside, the materials used to buil...
What is fly rod action, and which action should I choose?
One of the most misunderstood aspects of a fly rod is its action. Many anglers assume that a fast action rod is automatically better than a medium ...