Fly fishing tackle

Fly rods and lines are designated as to their "weight", typically written as Nwt where 'N' is the number (e.g. 8wt, 9wt, 10wt).

The characteristics of these rods reflect the fact that only short casts are needed during this type of fly fishing, while lifting ability is at a premium.

The species pursued, under which conditions, will largely determine the weight of rod selected.

Using too heavy a line on too light on a rod, or vice versa, will dramatically affect casting performance.

The drawback to multi-rated rods is that compromises in flexibility or action are made in order to accommodate a wider range of line weights.

Rods for saltwater fishing fall into the 8 to 15 weight class, with 12-weight being typical for most larger species like tuna, dorado (mahi-mahi) and wahoo (ono).

The earliest fly rods were made from greenheart, a tropical wood, and later bamboo originating in the Tonkin area of Guangdong Province in China.

The mystical appeal of handmade split-cane rods has endured despite the emergence over the last 50 years of cheaper rod-making materials that offer more durability and performance: fiberglass and carbon fiber.

Today, fly rods are mainly made from carbon fiber/graphite with cork or, less frequently, hypalon being favored for the grip.

Such rods generally offer greater stiffness than bamboo, are much more consistent and less expensive to manufacture, and require less maintenance.

These premium rods offer a stiffness, sensitivity, and feel unmatched by any other synthetic material.

The length and breaking strength of the backing required depends on the overall line capacity of the reel and the type of fish being sought.

The right size and stiffness of nylon also helps the leader "turn over" when cast, so as to present the fly naturally, as if not connected with a fishing rod.

Anglers usually carry spools of extra fine nylon, to replace the tippet or other sections of a leader as required.

Monofilament is calibrated in thousandths of an inch from 0.020" and larger (used for leader butts or in saltwater fishing) to 0.011" (old size 0X) and as small as 0.003" (8X.)

Fly fishing records are classed by tippet diameter, not breaking strength, which varies between material and manufacturers.

Stiffer or softer tippets may be used depending on water temperature, visibility, and need for abrasion resistance.

Accessories include an abundance of different tools and gadgets used by fly anglers to maintain and prepare their tackle, deal with fish being caught and personal clothing and apparel specifically designed for fly fishing comfort and safety.