Fly Rods
Most, if not all fly-rods are multi-piece of 2, 3, 4 or even 7 pieces. Even though more pieces make traveling with your fly-rod more convenient, the more pieces the higher the price and better the quality. Fly-rod length varies between 6 and 10 feet but that is usually determined by the rod weight rating.

Choosing the correct fly rod
Choosing the correct fly rod for the type/s of fly-fishing you want to do can sometimes be a confusing affair. Fly fishing rods differ considerably from conventional fishing rods. There are a few things that you need to know before you rush out to buy yourself that first rod.

It is essential for your fly tackle (outfit) to be properly balanced for a few simple reasons. You will not be able to cast properly with an unbalanced outfit and it will cause fatigue and tired muscles which will result in the development of bad casting habits.

All fly rods have a weight rating indicated on the rod. This rating is usually something like "AFTM 9" or "# 9" which indicates the fly line weight that the rod was designed to cast. So if the rod rating is "AFTM 9" then you will need to get a fly line with an "9 weight" rating. You can find more information about fly lines HERE. Also, keep in mind that the lower the AFTM rating the lighter the rod.

What size rod do you need?
Fly rod prices can vary quite considerably. So decide on a budget before you head out to buy that first rod. If you can, avoid the really cheap rods and rather buy something in the medium price range. The really cheap stuff will inevitably be a disappointing buy.

The rod you choose will depend on the type of fly-fishing that you want to do. The rod that you would use for freshwater fishing will, in most cases, have a different rating to one that you would use for saltwater fly-fishing.

General rules for selecting a rod:
Small streams for small trout – Rod and line weights 3 to 5, usually graphite, 7 to 8 feet in length.

Medium size rivers and dams/lakes for trout and bass of most sizes – Rod and line weights 5 to 7 (6 being more popular), 8 to 9 feet in length.

Big lakes and light saltwater – Rod and line 7 to 9 weight (8 and 9 weights being more popular), rod length of 9 to 10 feet (9 feet being the popular choice).

Big game fish – at least a 12 weight rod and line with a rod length of 9 to 9½ feet.

And if that isn’t confusing enough, rods also come with different actions. So to not get too technical, all the beginner needs to know is that there are stiff rods (fast action), medium rods (medium action) and soft rods (slow action). Stiff rods are easier to cast with and give more feedback when retrieving a fish but have less shock-absorbing capabilities. So you may have more fun retrieving a hooked fish but the chance of losing the fish is increased. Soft rods allow you to use thinner tippet material and therefore present the fly more naturally. You can use more delicate equipment knowing that your rod will absorb most shocks, which might otherwise result in the loss of a fish. The medium rod is the balance between the two and is the more popular choice of many fly-fisherman.