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Choosing the AFTM rating of your first fly rod can be confusing. Here are three things for you to consider.
The size of fly you will be casting.
The bigger the fly, the bigger weight rod and line will be required to turn it over. Our trout flies can be as small as half a centimetre or as long as 10cm!
Wind
The windier it is, the bigger the weight of rod and line you will need. If you intend on fishing somewhere which is often windy such as an exposed reservoir or in the sea, you will need a heavier line to cut through the air.
Size of fish
Because the weight of the line flexes the rod, heavier rated rods will take more weight before they are fully flexed. This means that they will handle bigger fish. If you intend to target big fish then you will need a heavier rod.
Here are a few examples of my set ups to help you make sense of it!
Small brook small fish: #2 weight
Small river medium fish: #4 weight
Medium river potential big fish: #6 weight
Reservoir potential big fish and wind: #8 weight
Pike fishing or saltwater for big fish both big flies: #10 weight
Free Video River Fly Fishing Course
20+ instructional videos, shot in 4k. Free to all new and existing newsletter subscribers – Click Here!
