The Wychwood Guide to Choosing a Fly Rod

With so many options on the market, choosing the correct fly rod can seem quite confusing at first. There are four main variables to consider when choosing a fly rod: rod length, rod weight, rod action, and application.

Below is a guide to help choose the right rod for you.

1. Length:
When choosing a rod length, it is important to consider the venues that you are going to be fishing, as different applications will require different rod lengths.

2. Weight:
Rod casting weights are rated using numbers and are used to match with a fly line of the same weight rating — for example, a #5 weight rod should be used with a #5 weight line. The higher the number, the heavier the line is, and the heavier the applications the rod is used for.

3. Rod Action:
There are three main types of rod action in fly fishing. The rod action that you choose usually comes down to personal preference. Below, the main rod actions are explained in more detail.

• Slow Action:
  Slow action rods have a through action, where the rod blank bends fully from the butt section to the tip. This action is good for short distance casting, protecting light leaders, and easily loading the rod during the cast. However, they lack the power of medium and fast action rods, meaning casting distance is limited. These rods are often made from fibreglass or composite materials. We currently do not offer any slow action rods in the Wychwood range.
• Medium Action (Middle To Tip):
  Probably the most commonly used rods by fly anglers. These rods bend from the tip to the mid-section and are suitable for most casting styles. The advantage of these rods is that you can feel the rod load the line on the back cast, making it easier to time your cast correctly. Their forgiving action and excellent feel make them perfect for beginners. This great all-round action is found in the Wychwood Fly Rod range including our Flow, Drift, Truefly MF rods, as well as our starter kits.
• Fast Action:
  Fast action rods flex mostly in the tip section. These are the most powerful rod actions on the market. Fast action rods are used for distance casting, fishing in windy conditions, and fishing sinking lines. This action is highly favoured by competition anglers (for faster playing and landing), predator anglers (for casting large bulky flies), and saltwater anglers (where casting into the wind is often required). While fast action rods are popular with experienced anglers for their casting performance, they are less forgiving than medium actions and require good timing to use effectively. As such, they are not recommended for beginners. Fast action rods in the Wychwood range include Truefly FA, Ionica, and PDR rods.

4. Application:
Application refers to where you’ll be using your rod and what you’ll be using it for. Many venues, species, and fishing styles will require different rods. While some rods can cross over categories — for example, a 9ft 5 weight medium-action fly rod could be used for both stillwaters and rivers — you won’t be able to fish fast sinking lines on a reservoir and dry flies on a chalk stream with the same rod.

Below is a guide to help choose the right rod for your chosen application.

River Fishing

• Length:
  River rods generally range from 6–10ft in length. The shortest models are used on tiny streams, while 8ft–10ft rods are more popular for chalk stream and dry fly fishing. For specialist techniques such as Euro Nymphing or fishing on large rivers, longer rods of 10ft–11ft are preferred.
• Weight:
  For ultra-light, specialist fishing on small streams, rods from #0–#3 are often used. For most river fishing scenarios, #3–#5 rods are ideal for dry fly and nymphing. For larger rivers and streamer techniques, #6 or #7 weight rods are sometimes used.
• Rod Action:
  Medium action rods are ideal, as distance is rarely an issue. These rods allow for delicate casts and the use of light tippets.
• Wychwood Recommends:
  • Drift range – Premium river fly rods with a wide selection of sizes to cover most applications, including a specialist Drift Nymph rod for Euro Nymphing.
  • Flow range – Budget-friendly options, ideal for beginners, occasional river anglers, or as a spare rod.

Stillwater Fishing

• Length:
  Most stillwater rods range from 9–10ft. This provides good line control and helps achieve generous casting distances.
  • Bank fishing (small stillwaters): 9ft–9ft 6in
  • Reservoir fishing: 9ft 6in–10ft (9ft 6in for bank, 10ft for boat)
  • Beginners: 9ft–9ft 6in is ideal
• Weight:
  For most stillwater work, rods rated from #6–#8 are used.
  • Small stillwaters: #6
  • Reservoirs: #7 or #8
  • Delicate/stalking work: Some anglers prefer a #5
• Rod Action:
  • Medium action: Great for floating, intermediate, and slow sinking lines on small stillwaters, or top-of-the-water work on reservoirs and lochs. Ideal for dry fly fishing and stalking.
  • Fast action: Best for distance casting on large, windswept stillwaters, fishing fast sinking lines from boats, and for competition use. Some experienced anglers use them for everything from dry flies to big lures.
• Wychwood Recommends:
  • Truefly – Our most popular stillwater range, split into FA (fast action) and MF (medium action) models. Easy to choose from and excellent performance.
  • Ionica – Flagship fast-action rods made from premium materials. Lightweight and high-performing, they offer features usually found on rods twice the price.
  • Flow – Budget-friendly and durable, with a medium action. A great choice for beginners and occasional anglers.

Predators and Saltwater

• Length:
  Most predator and saltwater rods are 9ft long – suitable for both boat and shore. Shorter rods are occasionally used for boat fishing.
• Weight:
  • General predator/saltwater: #8–#10
  • Light saltwater species (e.g. mullet): #6–#7
  • Big predators & bluewater species: #12–#14+ (e.g. tarpon, sharks, billfish, large pike or catfish)
• Rod Action:
  Fast action rods are preferred to cast large flies, battle strong fish, and deal with wind.
• Wychwood Recommends:
  • PDR Range – Our trio of dedicated predator fly rods, proven on large pike and in saltwater. Medium-fast actioned.

We are currently developing the next generation of fly rods for this growing market.

We hope that this guide has given you valuable information for choosing your next fly rod.

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