Rod Materials
Modern fly rods are made of 3 materials: graphite, fiberglass and bamboo |
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Pros & Cons |
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| Material | Characteristics | Pros | Cons |
| graphite | high modulus * carbon graphite is the "holy grail" of modern fly rod construction material; 90% of rods sold today contain primarily graphite | Pros: graphite's key feature is its light weight: graphite fibers are generally 50% lighter than bamboo & 25% lighter than glass; strong fiber, of high "tensile" (bendability) strength; "dampens" quickly (stops flexing, recovers from casting); easiest to use with multiple line weights; easiest to make longer casts; light weight results in less fatigue | Cons: more expensive than glass rods; break/snap more easily than glass |
| fiberglass | a very robust & strong fiber | Pros: least expensive of the 3 fibers; generally a "softer" action than graphite; fairly wide selection available | Cons: weighs more than the same weight classification in graphite |
| bamboo | the "classic" fly rod material | Pros: has the unique "feel" desired by many flycasters; slowest action; retains value best of the 3 materials; throws a delicate line | Cons: most costly of the 3 fibers to produce because it can't be fully "machined"; heaviest of the 3 materials in rods of same weight class; high maintenance & repair costs |
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* a word about "modulus" . . .
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