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[katfish]

I have fishing my whole life but only fly fishing for 3 years.  I have been using my Dads 6# 9' dragon fly setup.  It broke and I am getting him a new one as it is under warranty.  I wan to get my own and I am tempted to go with dragonfly.  They  might be cheap but they warranty their products.  I have never fished with anything else so I don't know what I am missing...

How much more pleasurable is it to have a more expensive rod. It makes no difference to the fish, but what value is it for me?  Action?  Feel?.  I can't afford 700 bucks but could afford something better than a $50 dragonfly set up. 

Thanks for your advice.

[Tex]

Hey Katfish!

Dragonfly has been making affordable rods for some time now, and they definitely get the job done.  If you enjoy casting them, that's the most important thing! 

That said, you might find there are other rods out there that you enjoy casting more.  Rods are rated based on "weight", as you know, and also "action", as you've referenced.  Fast-action to slow-action rods are available on the market, plus a bunch that are in between.  Over the past decade or two, faster action rods have become increasingly popular for their ability to generate line speed in short order and shorten the learning curve for some.  That said, I also know some guys that hate casting the fast-action rods and swear by slow-action noodles, they find the fast-action rods to have no soul.  What YOU like depends on how you cast. 

My recommendation would be to get out there and try casting a few different rods.  Borrow a friend's.  Stop by your local flyshop and see if they'll let you test-cast a few of their rods that are in your budget.  You might be surprised to find that you like a $110 rod more than a mid- to high-end rod.

[Tex]

I should also add some personal experience.  I really like getting the best bang for my buck, which means I often look for mid- to high-end rods that go on sale or that I can get at a discount (ie. used).  I enjoy these rods because they are made with better components and tend to last longer than the cheap outfits.  Plus, as I've gotten older I've come to appreciate a well-made rod that looks nice, where more time and care is taken when it comes to things like thread wraps and cork, so that also makes having a nicer rod more "enjoyable" these days for me. 

[ajransom]

I just got a Redington CT which I love. They have them at Wholesale Sports in Langley for $110, down from $160. They also have Sage Vantage which are about $100 off right now. I also have a TFO Signature model which is another cheap but great rod. There are plenty of great rods out there at affordable prices.

[Carich980]

Check out Pieroway Rods, Local rods and decently priced.

If your on a serious budget, cant go wrong with St. Croix, Echo or TFO. Reddigton rods have always performed well for me as well.

But the Cool kids all go with Sage.

[TayC]

Check out Pieroway Rods, Local rods and decently priced.

If your on a serious budget, cant go wrong with St. Croix, Echo or TFO. Reddigton rods have always performed well for me as well.

But the Cool kids all go with Sage.

can't go wrong with Echo, excellent customer service and warranty. Rajeff likes to make quality stuff at a low cost.

check out the echo solo rods, excellent casting rods for $100

[DanJohn]

Heres the thing, its more so about YOU than the rod. Sure there are better quality rods than the Dragonfly lineup. But, I really think it comes down to what you know.

I have 3 rods, all 5 weights (well, the 10ft WW is a 6 wt, but lined with 5wt), one is noodle soft, softer than a noodle! The other 2 are Amundson Wind Warriors, 9 and 10 foot rods. The 10 footer is a medium fast action, the 9 footer is more of a broomstick fast 5 weight, and better suited to a 6 weight line really. The point is, if I fish one for a few weeks, and switch to either of the others, I absolutely suck! I cannot cast. They all require a different cast and timing. If I fish that rod for a few days, it is fine. I can, and have hit backing on all 3 rods. But, if you put one in my hand and I havent used it for a while, I will be horrible with it. I have also used a Sage Vantage for a while, and I just did not like that at all. The Z-Axis I tried out, and liked it very much. Not what it retails for, but it was nice. The Vantage was just gross to me. I do not know why. But, after the 2nd hour of using it, I did get into its rythm, and I made it work. I got 70 foot casts with it, and it did catch me fish. I still didnt like it though. I would say, if you have friends who can lend you rods, borrow one for a day, try it, work it, and get used to it. If you like it, go for it. Overall though, your ability to adapt to a rod will be more of a factor than if the rod is "good" or not. If you are set in the action you prefer, then you should get that. If you dont care, than get whatever rod and get used it. Personally, I prefer the medium fast action of the 6wt 10 foot wind warrior, underlined to 5wt. I like the softness of my soft rod for short, light dry fly fishing, and my 9 foot wind warrior tosses streamers and works best with Salmon season.

[iCemAn]

Set your budget, test a few rods at your local shop and pick the one that feels comfortable and meets your needs for the type of fishing you do. Don't get caught up in the name when you are starting off, but the warranty can be very important if you do break a rod. It also depends on what waters and what the type of fish you are fishing for. With a 6wt I am assuming you are wanting an all around rod for fishing lakes and small rivers.

One of my first rods was a Dragonfly 596 and it served it's purpose, until I broke it and replaced it with a Sage DS2. That rod was ok, but a little slow for my liking. I have owned everything from a $75 rod to my newest addition to my collection, a Sage One 5100. But I also fish a Sage Flight 386 for my creek rod right now and I also have a Redington CT 3wt which I have tried yet.

Personally, if you have a limited amount of money, I would rather have a couple entry to mid-range rods the fish the conditions rather than spending all your money on one rod.

Just my 2 cents.

[Tex]

Personally, if you have a limited amount of money, I would rather have a couple entry to mid-range rods the fish the conditions rather than spending all your money on one rod.

This is GREAT advice provided the entry to mid-range rods you pick are rods that you enjoy casting and will last.

Tex

[katfish]

Thanks for the tips.  I am leaning towards dragon fly since this is the rod I learned on, but it seems prudent to try a few more on for size.  I won't get hung up on brand name.  As mentioned sage is the cool rod, but heck I've always been a bit nerdy anyway.   . I see guys decked out with thousands of dollars of gear.  I got nothing against that but my scots blood can't do that or my wallet.  You'll see me in the fly shops!

[cutthroat22]

I bet you a $50 dragonfly combo and a $1000 combo catch the same number of fish 

I would prefer to spend any extra money on line/extra spools/flies.

[iCemAn]

I bet you a $50 dragonfly combo and a $1000 combo catch the same number of fish 

I would prefer to spend any extra money on line/extra spools/flies.

And a Civic gets you to the same place as a Ferrari, but to each there own.

Like I previously said, spend the money getting multiple setups over 1 expensive one. I just prefer having too many expensive setups now. Does it catch me more fish? Tough question... Like I said it fully depends on the fish you are targeting and the waters. I don't need a  $500 reel to catch trout, but it sure is fun when you get a large hot fish on it.

Spend what you feel is appropriate on gear and you will have a great time no matter what you use.

[HOOK]

by the way ALOT of the so called cool kids DONT fish Sage 

there are so many rods that a comparable and even better than Sage for alot less cash.

you would be amazed at the amount of guys i know that fish Pieroway rods and you can even have them customized.

I have fished rods through the spectrum from Dragonfly all the way to the highest end Sages. my old Dragonfly was the only rod i never felt i would snap if i laid into a fish and guess what !! i landed springs over 40lbs on it more than once and tons more fish over a 10yr span before someone bought it from me.


If i was to go and buy a single hander for salmon i would lean towards one of these companies i could buy locally

Temple Fork
Pieroway
Echo
St. Croix

i dont personally like the Redington rods, my buddy loves his but it feels like a 2x4 to me

now if i was to buy online i would look into but not limited to

Allan fly fishing
Aleka (i see the link on this site alot and have checked it out)

all these are in the mid range (pieroway is a little in the higher side of mid range) or mid to lower end range when it comes to price. the top few all have great components and are put together very well. my dilemma would be choosing !!!

buying online im always a little skeptical of but i have gotten hooks from Allan FF and they were as good as Tiemco hooks in quality at a fraction of the price  i also know that he stands behind his products.

if your on a super tight budget then i would go with a Dragonfly over the crap you can grab at Canadian Tire or Walmart

that is all 

[dereke]

And a Civic gets you to the same place as a Ferrari, but to each there own.

Like I previously said, spend the money getting multiple setups over 1 expensive one. I just prefer having too many expensive setups now. Does it catch me more fish? Tough question... Like I said it fully depends on the fish you are targeting and the waters. I don't need a  $500 reel to catch trout, but it sure is fun when you get a large hot fish on it.

Spend what you feel is appropriate on gear and you will have a great time no matter what you use.

Agreed iCemAn especiallywhat is in bold. It all depends how far you want to go with it. I have a bit of extra cash these days and LOVE to flyfish so I go more expensive. Not stupid expensive but I do love my Sage, Loop, and G Loomis higher end Reels and Rods. The difference isn't huge but if the budget allows why not go for it. Actually IMO the difference from bottom end to top end is quite different and the extra $$$ is well worth it.

[Carich980]

by the way ALOT of the so called cool kids DONT fish Sage  

there are so many rods that a comparable and even better than Sage for alot less cash.

you would be amazed at the amount of guys i know that fish Pieroway rods and you can even have them customized.

I have fished rods through the spectrum from Dragonfly all the way to the highest end Sages. my old Dragonfly was the only rod i never felt i would snap if i laid into a fish and guess what !! i landed springs over 40lbs on it more than once and tons more fish over a 10yr span before someone bought it from me.


If i was to go and buy a single hander for salmon i would lean towards one of these companies i could buy locally

Temple Fork
Pieroway
Echo
St. Croix

i dont personally like the Redington rods, my buddy loves his but it feels like a 2x4 to me

now if i was to buy online i would look into but not limited to

Allan fly fishing
Aleka (i see the link on this site alot and have checked it out)

all these are in the mid range (pieroway is a little in the higher side of mid range) or mid to lower end range when it comes to price. the top few all have great components and are put together very well. my dilemma would be choosing !!!

buying online im always a little skeptical of but i have gotten hooks from Allan FF and they were as good as Tiemco hooks in quality at a fraction of the price   i also know that he stands behind his products.

if your on a super tight budget then i would go with a Dragonfly over the crap you can grab at Canadian Tire or Walmart

that is all  

 Hater's Gonna hate.  

Sage are best in the business hands down. Id say there are a lot of rods comparable to sage but Sage is No. 1. And the price gap is just as comparable. Majority of guys I've met on the river while spey casting are Zaxis or TCX's.

I invest 4-5 days a week playing on the river. I can justify having the best rod on the market regardless of price. Now that the One is out, your pretty much dominated. When I buy gear I look at the quality as I plan on using my gear hard and want it to last for as long as possible. You can be guaranteed that in 5-6 years from now I'll be picking up the Sage Two rod and selling my Sage One for Half of what I paid for it. At 6 years that's 100$ investment per year.

I'd like to see a list of rods you think are comparable and better then sage for a much lower price and then find an actual review to support your opinion.
 
If the Op is going to be casting on the river he should consider getting a Switch rod before spending his cash. Just saying most of my single handers are just sitting in the corner now or up at the lake.