"Vittorix" :
I definitively want to buy a fly rod and start fly fishing

I would like to spend about 100$ on it, there's a 69$ Orvis one that seems
to me too cheap, but I can't really judge.
I saw Cabelas and Bass Pro Shop offers, and Cabelas has nice prices, but I
don't know anything about fly rods, so: what are the right characteristics
of a fly rod? (material, lenght, range, line supported, pieces ecc..)
I think should be on graphite, right?
the 4 pieces rods are very comfortable to transport (even for a trip), but
structurally and functionally are ok? too many junctions aren't bad? the
rod will be weak or rigid?
the weight should be balanced? the action fast, medium or what?
and so on..

--
ciao
Vittorix


As a fellow semi-newbie, I'll wade in on this one. The rod you buy depends
on two things: what you like and what you can afford. I'd highly recommend
that you speak with the folks at the Orvis store near you, or hop on the
Metra to Glen Ellyn and talk with the folks at Fly and Field (directly
across the street from the Glen Ellyn train station). I've been to the Orvi$
store in Chicago, and while they do have a fairly nice selection of tying
materials, their rods are of course limited to their own brand. The folks at
F&F carry 5 or 6 different brands, and will help you pick a rod that suits
your casting style, and your intended target water/species. The downside is
that F&F carries some pretty spendy stuff, so if budget is a real issue, let
them know -- they're good people. They may have some used rods. If you're
feeling adventurous, take a trip up to Gurnee and see the older guy at Bass
Pro. He's a really nice guy and will tell you the God's honest truth about
their stuff, and will recommend stuff that he doesn't even sell. I've had
many conversations with him, and have learned a lot.

As to the actual rod itself, in terms of number of pieces, material, etc., I
have a pretty limited knowledge, so if I'm wrong, hopefully, a more
experienced ROFFian will correct me. What I've gleaned from this group and a
lot of magazine/internet reading is that the graphite/cane discussion comes
down to preference and budget. Some folks can't cast 'boo, and some folks
just plain hate anything that isn't 'boo. Certain casting styles are more
easily matched with different rods. While I'm pretty far from a "good"
caster, I do OK with graphite, but I look like a Gumby when I use my buddy's
bamboo rod. The flex just isn't what I'm accustomed to. As far as number of
pieces, (and agian, this is only my limited knowledge) my understanding is
that before the huge advances in materials that have recently come alond, a
one-piece (ar two at most) was desired in order to maintain a more constant
flex in the rod. With graphite especially, I've read that in some cases more
pieces is actually better, the rod manufacturere can control exactly where
the flex points are, and how the pieces interact with one another.

Bottom line, IMHO is to get some specific recommendations from a good
fly-shop and then let your wallet decide from the ones that you like.

Beware, however that there is most definietly no "perfect" rod for all
occassions. Lots of folks like a 8 or 9 foot five weight for trout, but on
some water, that's just too long. Hell, on some it's too short. It's gonna
take a little compromise to find a rod that suits **most** of your fishing.

Good luck,
Dan