I thought the thing that would make this blog interesting was the fact that I am basically a novice sharing the lessons I learn along the way. This has some good points and some bad points.
First, most of the material on the subject is written by experts, and what they think is important may not necessarily be the same as for someone starting out. Priorities are just different. Second, I think my mistakes are just as important educational tools as my successes. But third, I frequently will have no clue about what I am writing, even though it is important.
Well at this point, fly rods definitely fall into the latter category, and unfortunately, after your brain and muscle memory, just as a club to a golfer, the rod is perhaps the most important tool in your arsenal. What good is the best fly if you cannot cast the line? The rod is the piece of equipment that essentially does most of the work converting energy into motion.
If you are like me, in the beginning, you really are going to want something cheap that you don't mind experimenting a bit with. You want something you can take a risk with, afford to lose, or not be heartbroken over a bit of damage. That is why the all-in-one kit from Martin works for me at this stage. That said, I am also already thinking about the next rod I am going to purchase.
Just like any other type of fishing pole, golf clubs, and baseball bats, fly rods can be constructed of a variety of materials from bamboo to exotic alloys. They have different characteristics depending on the intended use, different lengths, etc.
If you are like me, then the rod in the starter kit will work fine. Otherwise, you may want to go to an outfitter and get "sized." If you are going to be fishing for bass in Kentucky, then I would recommend starting with an 8', medium flex, 5-weight rod. That should take care of most of your initial needs.
Either way, you need to understand a bit about the rod, so here are a few articles to help you get started:
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