Fly Rod Action

Rod Action

Fly rods are made with a variety of flexing characteristics and capabilities referred to as "rod action." Actions are generally described as "Slow Action", "Medium Action", and "Fast Action". This flexing or bending is designed to meet a wide range of fly casting requirements demanded by different species of fish and fishing circumstances.

These characteristics are meaningful because they relate directly to how a fly rod "loads". By "load" we mean the process of "cocking" the rod with the weight of the fly line by the action of the flycast. Depending on how aggressive the casting stroke is applied and the flexing characteristics of the rod, various degrees of "linespeed" are created.

Linespeed

"Linespeed" in its simplest terms is how fast the fly line is traveling through the air as it is cast. A higher linespeed results in more velocity which creates more rod load, and hence more energy in the line which is better able to overcome air resistance and hence adds distance to the cast. Slower linespeed creates less velocity, less energy for rod load, and more wind resistance, and results in a shorter, "gentler" cast.

**Rod Action Characteristics**
The information below describes the general properties of the 3 action types
Rod "Actions"	Action	Characteristics	Similar descriptions*
	"Slow Action"	rod flexes/bends most easily; easiest action to load; is more "forgiving" to imperfect casting strokes; bends/flexes from butt to tip; "smooth"; "collapses" if overloaded; shorter casts; slower linespeed; forms a more "open" casting loop	"full flex", "butt action", "soft action"
	"Medium Action"	flex action is in the mid-range; "stiffer" than slow action; predominant action; takes a little more casting skill than slow action; higher linespeed; longer casts; somewhat tighter line loop	"medium-fast action", "mid flex", "medium flex"
	"Fast Action"	stiffest action; highest linespeed; longest casts; less forgiving to imperfect casting stroke; demands more casting skill; flexes mostly at the rod tip; has the most "backbone"; has the tightest casting loop	"tip action", "tip flex", "stiff action"
* some manufacturers may also describe their rods by the species of fish for which a rod is designed, such as, "Bass Action", or "Bonefish Action", "Salmon Action", etc.

How To Select Your Rod Action

Now that you know what rod action is, how does a fly fisher determine what action they want? Well, sorry to say, that's the hard part. Because it requires you to make a decision. And that decision is primarily based upon how you personally want your rod to feel when you cast it.

For most beginning flyfishers, who are trying to decide what fly rod to get, these are our general recommendations as to action:

get a rod with a soft enough action ("slow" enough) that gives you a definite feeling of load as you cast it
get a rod that the manufacturer rates "slow" or "medium" action
do not get a fast action rod for your 1st fly rod

If at all possible, before purchasing a rod, cast several different rods with the rod strung up with the correct weight fly line to see which one feels best. Generally speaking, the "faster-action" a rod is, the greater the requirement for precise timing in the casting stroke in order to make it perform properly. Such timing is normally directly correlated to the amount of fly casting experience of the user.

A "slow" to "medium-action" rod is adaptable to less demanding casting performance whether in the hands of the beginner or the expert . . . a "fast-action" rod is best utilized in the hands of a more experienced caster.