As a flyfishing guide I’m regularly asked by clients who are thinking of buying a new lake rod, what I would recommend?

There are three main considerations:

1. What is your budget?

This is possibly the easiest decision you need to make as there many good value rods on the market. Generally the more expensive brands do offer better performance and greater options in styles of rod.

2. What is your skill level?

In assessing your skill level, you need to be completely honest with yourself. I regularly take out clients who proudly display their new rod and I know immediately they will have difficulty with it – it’s designed for well beyond their skill level. In this respect, rods are no different to cars. The average driver would have difficulty getting optimum performance out of a Ferrari – they would be more comfortable in a Commodore. There are some amazing fast action rods on the market that in the hands of an excellent caster will perform exceptionally well. The problem is, they tend to have a narrow ‘sweet spot’ that will leave an average caster frustrated, or worse still, possibly developing bad habits. So for the average caster, try to ignore all the hype about amazingly tight loops and high line speeds that will cast to the horizon. Instead, look for a rod that has more of a medium action with a larger sweet spot. You will find it far more forgiving and easier to cast. This will equate to less frustration and more fish caught.

3. What type of fishing will I be using the rod for?

No golfer would consider playing a pennant round with only one club and the situation is similar with fly rods. There are different rods for different circumstances so if you are limited to only one lake rod, select one that suites the type of fishing you do most often.

I am going to go out on a limb here and declare the types of rods I use for most of my lake fishing in Australia. Keep in mind I consider myself a better than average caster and I’m hoping my wife doesn’t read this!

• Boat fishing with sinking lines – 6 weight, 10’ medium action
• Boat fishing with floating line – 6 weight, 9’6”medium fast action
• General fishing from the bank – 6 weight, 9’6” fast action
• Wave polaroiding shallow lakes – 5 weight, 9’ medium fast action
• Fishing for tailers – 5 weight, 9’ medium action

Yes, I’m spoilt having such a range of rods at my disposal. However if I was to own only one rod for all-round lake fishing, it would be a 6 weight, 9’6”medium action rod. I believe this style of rod is the most versatile and is the easiest for most anglers to cast well.

Remember though, regardless of rod choice, the most important thing all anglers can do to enjoy their time on the water and increase their catch rate, is get good casting advice and practice – a lot.