As anglers, we all love catching fish. Fooling a beautifully wild creature into eating your fly is undoubtedly a thrilling experience, but it's essential to consider the handling of fish once you do land them. One of the best ways to enjoy the sport while still showing respect for the fish and the environment is by practicing catch-and-release fishing.
Fly rods are some of the most intricately designed and engineered pieces of fly-fishing equipment—but also some of the most misunderstood. There are slow-action rods, fast-action rods, and rods that fall in between. But what do those actions mean, and what are the various benefits? Let's take a look at what fly rod action actually is, and the benefits of different types of fly rod actions.