Fly Fishing Gear | Fly Rods | All

WHAT FLY RODS DO WE STOCK AT TOM'S OUTDOORS?

At Tom's Outdoors, we take pride in our remarkable range of fishing rods from reputable brands including Sage, Orvis & Redington.

We carry a great selection of rods from traditional single-handed trout rods, double-handed spey and switch rods, Euro nymphing rods, and saltwater rods.

WHAT FLY ROD IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Determining the right fly rod for you depends on several factors. Here are some considerations to help you make an informed decision:

Rod Weight & Rod Length - Regular fishing rods are broken down into what weight line you should use with them, i.e. 2-4kg, 10-12kg etc. Fly Rods are a little different, they are broken down into what fly-line weight you should use with them (check out our fly lines here), i.e. 3wt, 5wt, 9wt etc. This weight is written on the rod as the first number of a 3- or 4-digit code, so if a rods code starts with 5, i.e 590, it’s a 5wt rod. The numbers after the first number designate the length of the rod. Just to keep things interesting rod lengths are sorted into feet and inches, so our 590 5wt rod is 9 feet and zero inches in length. Using the same rod code, we can see that a rod with the code 696 is a 6wt rod with a 9-foot 6-inch length, following so far? Good.

Fly Rod weights go all the way from superlight 2 or 3 weight lines, all the way up to super heavy 10 or 12 weight lines with even special ultra-light or ultra-heavy sizes either side of the usual sizes (i.e 000 weight rods or 14 weight rods even!). Lengths do vary on fly rods but not as much as weights. 9 feet long is about the standard-length, but you can get rods as short as 6 feet to as long as 14 feet (or probably longer, we don't sell them though!) A rod's weight determines what type of fly you are going to cast, what kind of power and distance it will be able to cast with and what type of fish it most suitable for catching. A rods length also contributes to these factors as well as determining how easy the rod is to use in any given situation. For instance, if you're fishing in small streams or tight spaces a shorter rod (around 7 to 8.5 feet) can provide better maneuverability; on the other hand, fishing in larger rivers or lakes a longer rod (9 to 10 feet or more) can offer increased line control, longer casts, and better mending capabilities.

For most anglers in Australia the best beginner or all-rounder fly-rod is right in the middle of the weight spectrum, a 5wt or a 6wt, that is 9 feet long, so a 590 or 690. A rod in this caliber will tackle almost all trout situations, native freshwater fish like Yellowbelly (Golden perch) and Australian Bass as well as being able to tackle most light saltwater species such as bream, whiting and flathead. Once you have your all-rounder you can specialize from there.

A fly- rod in the 2wt-4wt range (so a 276 or a 480) would be better suited to have fun in smaller creeks or for specific purposes like euro-nymphing. Rods in the 7wt to 10wt range (i.e. a 786 or 990) are better for throwing the larger flies needed for supersize freshwater fish such as Murray-Cod or Barramundi. They’re also great for targeting saltwater species in both Bluewater and sand-flat environments, like kingfish, golden trevally or tuna.

A heavy weight rod in the 11wt-14wt is typically preferred for Giant Trevally, Papuan Black bass or Marlin; they’re also quite handy as a long jump pole or medieval-joust.

CONSIDER GETTING A FLY ROD COMBO

There are several advantages to getting a Fly Rod Combo. Kits offer convenience by providing you with a complete package ensuring that the rod, reel, and line are well balanced and ready to use.

NEED HELP CHOOSING A FLY ROD? CONTACT US TODAY

If you have a particular fly rod in mind but would appreciate some additional advice, simply get in touch with our friendly sales team – they’re always up for a chat. You can contact us by calling our Tumut store on (02) 6947 4062 or by email.