The Truth About Fly Rod Modulus

Manufacturers and their marketing companies would have you believe that their latest fly rod is the best on the market because of its high "modulus". If you are just getting into the fly fishing game, and looking for a new rod, you are probably a little confused about what modulus is, and you might even assume that higher is probably better. Let's get into the truth about fly rod modulus to help you make a more informed decision when choosing your next rod.

Modulus is simply the rods resistance to bend, correlating to the specifications of the graphite used to create the rod. A higher modulus rod will therefor be stiffer, and be less resistant to bend. Conversely, a lower modulus rod will be more apt to bend. Typically higher modulus rods will be lighter weight than their lower modulus cousins.

You might assume that you don't want your rod to bend much, but that isn't always the case. In fact, the bending of the rod is actually what alleviates pressure on the line, and helps that 5lb tippet bring in a 15 lb fish. Rod bend also has a direct correlation with the action of the rod. In the case of fly fishing rods, the term "action" is used to describe the flex profile of the rod. For example, does the rod only bend at the tip section when fighting a fish or casting, does it bend all the way to the butt section, or somewhere in between.

Rod action is one of the most critical factors associated with modulus, and I believe is what you should consider most when thinking about rod modulus. A higher modulus rod will have lower bend, and will thus be a fast action rod. A low modulus rod will have higher bend, and will this be a slower action rod. If you have experience with fly fasting already, you likely know if you prefer a fast stroke or a slow one, and should then look for a modulus that suits this casting style. If you have not yet casted with a fly rod, consider your tempo in other situations or sports. Do you have a fast swing in golf? Do you prefer to do things quickly in short concise movements? Do you like long strokes with pronounced follow throughs?

In short, the truth about fly rod modulus is that high modulus isn't necessarily better, but it can be if you want a fast action rod. If you are looking for slow action, don't be swindled by advertisements with flashy high numbers. Pick the rod that will work best for you, and don't look back.

If you are in the market for a new rod and want some in depth help on what may be best, click below to fill out a short questionnaire, and Back Bay Fly will get back to you with our recommendation on the best rod for your particular situation.