A history of fishing rods
American humourist Herb Shriner is quoted as having said, "All you need to be a fisherman is patience and a worm." That may have been true when Shriner grew up in the early 1900s, but today's angler has a few more choices in front of her.
A brief history of fishing rods
"In the past, rods were normally known as cane rods and basically made out of willow, bamboo or branches," says Kevin Johnston, corporate sales manager for Edmonton's The Fishin' Hole. "Fishermen needed something that was semi-flexible and with good length. At the same time, the rod would need enough strength so that it wouldn't flop like a wet noodle."
As time went on, new materials were discovered for fishing rods, the most popular being fibreglass and a form of flexible and lightweight metal. The search for lighter-weight material that provided both strength and flexibility ended in the popular graphite rod we see on the market today. Graphite can be moulded quite easily to suit a fisherman's needs in terms of weight, length or shape, and highly specialized rods are now made to suit the individual using the rod, as well as the situation the rod will be used in.
Graphite's most glaring drawback is that it's a more delicate material; its lower abuse threshold means that it can't take a lot of banging around. For that reason, anglers who want a durable, tough rod will still often opt for fibreglass or a fibreglass/graphite blend, which is typically cheaper than graphite as well.
Choosing a rod
What's a good choice for a beginner? According to Johnston, a good all-around option that fits almost every situation is a six-foot, two-piece rod in a medium weight. To get some satisfaction out of the fishing experience, you'll want to aim for a midrange price -- between about $90 and $120 should get you a decent fishing rod.
To get a really good feel for what will work for you, visit your local tackle store and ask questions. The salesperson should have fishing experience and be able to match you up with a rod appropriate to your size and fishing experience.
"When you're buying your rod, gently tap it on the floor," recommends Dick Wilkening of Witch Bay Camp in Kenora, Ont. "You should be able to feel that tap in your hand. You don't want something that's too flimsy and you don't feel anything, but you don't want anything so stiff that you won't be able to cast your bait with it."
Once you've chosen your rod, you need to match it with an appropriate reel and line. Again, a knowledgeable salesperson is a good asset. Generally speaking, rods will come with information about what line size makes a good match. You don't want to use a light line with a heavy action rod or vice versa.
Best advice? Rely on the fishing advice of friends, family and an experienced tackle shop to get you started. Fishing can be fun and relaxing and the right equipment can be an important factor in the quality of your fishing experience!
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