A good Rod need not be very high priced ,but a cheap fly rod should be avoided,even by a beginner.Unfortunately,split bamboo fly rods are not cheap by any means.Unless you are an expert it is difficult to tell them apart.

Your best bet is to get a rod made by a reputable fly rod maker,who will stand behind his works,as sometimes rods develope a weakness.The same applies to steel or glass rods.

A bamboo rod will last a very long time if taken care of,as I have one that was made in the 40s and it has a bend in the last joint,but doesn't hamper it's workings.

Some Salmon anglers use solid wood because they believe that the long heavy lines will tear the ferrules out of any jointed rod ,and they do not believe that lends itself well spliced rod.

Some bamboo rods are impregnated with bakelite or other moisture proof materials.Split bamboo rods are built of four,five,six or seven strip construction.Six strip is the most used.

Metal rods are made from tubular or solid steel,aluminum alloy or aluminum and steel,that is with as aluminum but and steel tip.

Glass rods are made from glass fibers that are very strong and elastic.The glass rod has displaced the bamboo rod in some cases.I prefer the bamboo rod.

The actual weight of a fly rod ,however is a deceptive standard of comparison with other fly rods of the same length,as the reel seat and hand grasp of one may weigh more than those of anothe,which carries it's weight in bamboo where it counts.

The American rod has much more power and stamina because it's weight is in the wood,whereas,the British rod has a heavy reel seat and butt cap,and unnecessarily heavy ferrules.The reason is a war shortage caused the maker to use what fittings he could find.

The weight,lenght and action must be all considered togeather.The selection varies from very light rods about seven feet long,designed for fishing small waters to the long heavy salmon rods weighing almost three quarters of a pound.These extremes are speciaized equipment.The 8 and 9 foot rods which are adequate for almost any water or weight of fish that the average angler is likely to catch.

Rods more than seven feet long are usually made in three sections,with an extra tip.Three piece rods are easier to carry through dense cover to reach that fishing hole.

No matter how well the fishing rod is made,it will not perform without the proper line.If the line is to light for the rod you can throw your arm out of socket trying to reach the desired distance.

If the line is to heavy will eventually strain a good rod.I shall say that it is more imprortant to get the right line for the rod you select than was the selection of the rod in the first place..

The best lines to use are silk lines.The experts say that tapered lines are superior to level lines for casting.A tapered line is really a necessity to laying out a light line as when dry fly fishing for trout or grayling,and that a level line of the proper weight is just as good for anything else,and better for heavy flys like Bass bugs.

I wish you all the success in buying a Fly Rod and catching fish..