By Peter Kaminsky

Fly-rodders will often tell you that their sport is the highest form of angling. Anglers who prefer spinning or casting rods might disagree, but there's little debate that fly-fishing is the lightest form of angling: You can carry all your gear comfortably. And with a good, trusty fly rod, you'll be safe in the knowledge that the lunkers tugging on your line will be heavier than your gear.

Fast and Slow
A fast rod is best for those new to the sport: It responds quickly when you whip it in the air. Because it's so easy to handle, plenty of veterans also stay with a fast rod throughout their angling lives. A softer or slower rod is a favorite among many bass fly-rodders and saltwater fly-rodders. You can feel the rod flex as the heavy line bends it on longer casts with wind-resistant flies. Personal preference and casting style affect this choice. But because most beginners have no style to speak of, stay with a fast rod until you develop your own flair.

Graphite
Old-time fly rods were made of bamboo, a lovely but expensive material. Next came fiberglass, which was cheaper and serviceable. Then came space-age materials made mostly of graphite. Although each material has its own virtue, these days you are unlikely to see anyone fishing with anything but graphite--nothing casts better.

Size
Rods are rated according to an old system corresponding to line weight. Common rods go from 3 through 12 weights, although you'll occasionally use a 13 or 14 weight rod. Lower numbers are lighter and throw a lighter line. As you'd expect, a higher number is heavier and better for distance work and handling high winds.

Water: Fresh and Salt
For most anglers, trout fishing with a rod of 7.5 to 9 feet long is the ticket. Shorter rods are well-suited to smaller streams. Longer rods are necessary on bigger water as well as in fast currents, where it's important to keep the line off the water so it doesn't pull the fly unnaturally. A 5 weight is probably the best all-around choice because it's not too light, not too heavy, and it can handle common trout-fishing situations. A 3 weight is nice for dry fly work and shorter casts, while a 6 or 7 weight will handle those afternoon winds in the Rockies and Patagonia. For bass fishing, 9 feet and a 7 or 8 weight with a medium action (the amount of bend in the rod) works everywhere.

For saltwater, never fish using a rod shorter than 9 feet. An 8 or 9 weight will handle most bonefishing, red fishing, and striper situations. Salmon, small tuna, and tarpon require anything from a 10 weight to an arm-wearying 13 weight. Because most anglers hire a guide for their first forays into this kind of fishing, try the guide's rod before you plunk down money for one of your own. Occasionally you will see rods up to 13 or 14 feet long with two-handed grips called Spey rods. These specialty rods were developed in Scotland, where they are still used mostly for salmon fishing.

Peter Kaminsky is the author of Fishing for Dummies and Fly Fishing for Dummies, and is a regular contributor toFood and Wine and the "Outdoors" column of The New York Times. His work has appeared in Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, and Sports Afield for more than 20 years.