Helpful Tips for Balancing a Fly Rod

 Most people have done it at some point. They've tried to find that perfect spot where a fly rod balances perfectly on their finger. However, those who have never been successful with this may wonder what fly reel will balance their rod. Keep reading to find the answer to this question.

Understanding the Concept of Balance

Before diving into how to balance a rod, it is important to understand what this means. Balance can be thought of like a see-saw. The rod tip is on one end and the reel at the other. The person's hand or finger is the fulcrum located in the middle.

When the rod is parallel to the ground, it is said to be balanced. Outfits that are balanced closer to the reel will have the fulcrum that sits closer to the reel. An outfit where the fulcrum is closer to the tip will be balanced near the tip.

Balancing the Outfit

Put the finger on the rod where it will be held. Add the reel and see if it is parallel to the ground. Pull some line through the rod's tip and take notice if anything has changed. Did the reel get lighter and the rod tip heavier? If so, this is the issue. The line that has been pulled out of the rod's tip is the variable. This is especially true when casting. Since there is no way to have any fixed weight on the tip, the user will be constantly out of balance.

For those who want to achieve balance with their rod, there are a few tips. Keep reading to learn what these tips are.

Go Lighter

There is no right way to balance the outfit, but there are a few wrong methods. For example, putting a Hatch 12 Plus on the 7-foot 3wt glass rod is not a good decision (and it probably wouldn't fit). Choosing a lighter reel offers a significant advantage. It reduces the swing weight of the outfit, which most experts agree is a good thing. Since lower swing weights are so important, there are some systems that allow users to cast without a reel.

Every Ounce Counts

This is a rule that applies to all lightweight rods that are approximately nine foot in length. Add an ounce to the reel and the fulcrum will move an inch closer to the reel. If an inch is subtracted, the opposite will happen. This isn't an exact science, but is something to think about.

Getting the desired balance can be challenging, but it isn't impossible. Being informed is the best way to achieve the desired results and ensure the Fly Rod being used is fully balanced.