the TAYLOR BLOG

So, you're considering a new fly fishing rod and reel. While it might sound straightforward, choosing the perfect setup can be overwhelming for many anglers. How can you know you’re picking the right rod and reel? What line should you buy? And what if you don’t end up liking your choice? Here are a few helpful tips to guide you through selecting the ideal fly fishing rod, reel, and line for your needs.

1. Know Where You’ll Be Fishing

Where you fish most often can help narrow down your choices. For example, I live in New Mexico, where most waters are smaller creeks, rivers, and lakes. I fish 99% of the time with a 4wt and a 5wt. Realistically, I could fish nearly anywhere here with just a 4wt. If you live near larger rivers or windy locations, however, a 5wt or even a 6wt might make more sense. Consider your fishing environment and choose a rod size suited to those conditions.

2. Set a Budget

Let’s be honest—fly fishing can be a pricey hobby. The average premium rod now costs over $1,000! Set a realistic budget and allocate wisely. For freshwater fly fishing, I recommend spending around 60-70% of your budget on the rod. While most freshwater reels can get the job done, a quality rod can make a big difference. If you’re on a tight budget, consider our Dynamix rod at $200. It’s not the cheapest on the market, but it offers excellent value. For those considering a premium rod, look into our Z Series (Truth Z, Anomaly Z, and Refine Z), starting at $699—superior to many of the premium rods available today.

3. Choose the Right Action

Rod action can be confusing. While opinions vary, I generally find a medium-fast action suits new anglers better than fast action. If you know the types of flies you’ll be casting, that can help narrow it down too. I prefer fast action rods for dry fly fishing and medium-fast action for nymphing or weighted flies. Fast action helps generate line speed, while medium-fast allows for slightly more open loops, which is great for lobbing techniques.

4. Looks Matter

While aesthetics won’t impact your catch rate, they do matter to many anglers. If you’re investing in a rod and reel, you should enjoy how they look. There are plenty of excellent options out there, so don’t settle for something you don’t find appealing.

5. Consider the Company Behind the Gear

What kind of company do you want to support? Maybe you prefer a large, established brand for peace of mind. Or maybe you want to support a smaller company with top-notch service. At Taylor, we offer a 30-day return policy and a fast, reliable warranty process. Plus, our products are typically priced 20-40% below competitors, helping you keep more in your pocket.

6. Choose the Right Line

Selecting the right line is essential! Most rods are designed to pair with specific line types, and using the wrong line can compromise performance. At Taylor, we provide line recommendations for each of our rods. If you’re unsure, reach out to the manufacturer—they’ll guide you to the best choice.

7. Balance Your Rod and Reel

A balanced rod and reel setup makes a big difference, especially over a long day on the water. Ideally, the weight of the reel should counterbalance the rod tip, preventing it from dipping when you're wading or casting. Here are some general guidelines: for a typical 4wt rod (8’6” or 9’), aim for a reel around 5 oz. For a 5wt, about 5.5 oz, and for a 6wt, roughly 6 oz. These are just ballpark numbers, but they can help achieve a more comfortable setup.

8. Cut Through the Marketing Noise

Every brand claims to make the “best” products. But how can you know what’s real? Here are my tips: be cautious of reviews from retailers—they can be biased. Instead, check out forums like The Fly Fishing Forum for more impartial feedback. Look for details like the quality of cork, guides, and the finish on the rod. In my opinion, external craftsmanship often reflects a brand’s attention to quality internally as well.

I hope that info helps! If you need any other recommendations or just want to chat products, feel free to reach out to our team here at Taylor!

Tight Lines,

Matthew Taylor

Many anglers spend the winter season dreaming of summer days casting dry fly's to foolish fish, while their rod and reel are gathering dust in the garage or closet. Don't get me, I love fishing the warm summer months as much as anyone, but I tend to spend my time daydreaming about those large winter trout more than anything else! Fall and Winter is the time I love being on the water! Right now you are probably thinking "WHY"? Here are four reasons you need to get on the water this winter!

1. Solitary Bliss - In our neck of the woods, there is some great tailwater fishing. My problem with tailgaters is the crowds and fishing pressure! When I fish I want to be alone in the blissful wonder of a solitary day on the water, not fighting for a hole with some random stranger. Winter thins the crowds... dramatically! I have had days alone on a stretch on water in the winter, when the norm is huge crowds during the warmer days. Because the fish have less pressure they are also a more willing to play in the winter. Its a win-win, less people and fish with a bigger appetite. 

2. Big Fish - Catching 50 dink trout on the 3wt is fun and everything, but there is nothing like hooking up with Grandaddy trout! Big fish come to play during the colder months. Browns typically in the fall and rainbows in the spring will move out of their deep holding water, looking for a place to spawn or for a warmer stretch of water to take refuge in. The same stretch of water where you only saw little guys in the summer can often hold the big guys in the winter! If you are looking to catch larger fish, winter can present some great opportunities. 

3. Water Clarity - I love sight fishing! There is nothing like seeing a trout smash your fly with your own two eyes! The water clarity in the winter can be fantastic (especially across the rockies) and this can make for a really good time. Winter can be the best opportunity to sight fish for large trout!

4. Streamers, streamers, and streamers - Nymphs, drys, midges, etc... are all great, but nothing compares to throwing large meaty fly's! Winter is prime time for chucking meat!I love tying streamers, throwing streamers, I love the take on streamers, I love watching fish chase streamers, and I love the fight on streamers. Big fly's = Big fish!  Nothing beats a large aggressive brown trout trying to murder your fly with pure aggression! 

Winter is a fantastic time to fish, so stop reading this blog and go string up that rod and reel, because its time to do some winter fishing! 

Tight Lines

When it comes to purchasing fishing gear, it's essential to consider not only the product's performance but also its ethical manufacturing, pricing structure, and commitment to innovation and quality. At Taylor Fly Fishing, we take pride in offering our customers top-notch rods and reels while prioritizing ethical practices and providing maximum value.

Ethical Manufacturing:

At Taylor Fly Fishing, we believe in responsible manufacturing practices. Our partnerships with select manufacturers are purposeful, as they are leaders in innovation, engineering, and product development. What sets them apart is their commitment to paying their employees a competitive living wage and adopting environmentally friendly and renewable manufacturing practices. Additionally, we choose to work with countries that uphold human rights and enjoy democratic freedoms. Our partners are mainly located in South Korea, with additional sources in Germany, Japan, and the USA for specific components.

Pricing Structure:

We understand that traditional distribution chains, excessive marketing campaigns, and overhead costs can inflate the price of fishing gear. At Taylor, we focus on direct-to-dealer or direct-to-consumer sales to keep costs in check. By owning our warehouse outright and avoiding wasteful marketing expenses, we can offer our products at a significantly lower price compared to our competitors. This means our customers benefit from savings of around 25%-30% all year round, eliminating the need to wait for holiday sales.

Innovation and Quality Construction:

Unlike some corporate-owned companies that prioritize cutting costs, our primary goal at Taylor Fly Fishing is to provide our customers with the best possible products. We remain committed to using top-of-the-line materials, advanced construction techniques, and innovative tapers in our rods. Our reels are designed with durability in mind, utilizing stainless steel components in place of cheaper alternatives like aluminum. Through advanced cold forging and deeper anodizing, we maximize reel strength, ensuring they withstand the test of time.

Conclusion:

When choosing fishing gear, it's crucial to consider the values and principles behind the brand. At Taylor Fly Fishing, we prioritize ethical manufacturing, cost efficiency, and unwavering commitment to innovation and quality. By opting for our rods and reels, you can trust that you're making a sound investment in superior products that align with your values as an angler and conscious consumer.

It was my first paid/guided fly fishing trip in southern Florida. Standing on the bow of the flats boat, all of the sudden my guide points out a moving object about 75 feet away. It was a LARGE PERMIT! I make a quick cast that reaches about 50 feet, still 25 feet short of where I need to be casting. I quickly strip my line in for a second cast only to see that moving object jet away from the boat at full speed... I missed my chance! Uggg if only I made a better cast! That was many years ago, but that moment changed me as an angler. I no longer settled for being an average caster and I began to work diligently on crafting my cast! 

You might be thinking "I don't need to be able to cast far to catch fish". 99% of trout are caught in the 15' to 40' range... so why would I ever learn to cast any further? Here are a few good reasons you need to learn to cast 100 feet...

1. Distance casters are accurate casters - If you can cast an entire line chances are you accurately hit a target at 20', 30', 40', 60', etc... Distance casting requires excellent technique which translates into an accurate short cast.

2. Salt-water fly fishing requires distance - If you live in trout country and only fish creeks, distance probably doesn't matter much to you, but once you get into salt-water everything changes. Salt-water often requires a quick, accurate, and long distance cast to get the fly where you need it. There is nothing more frustrating than paying top dollar for an exotic guided flats trip only to miss fish after fish because of an underdeveloped cast. 

3. Distance is the answer on windy days - Being able to generate high line speeds and tight loops pays off in windy conditions. The techniques you use to cast far are very useful when the wind becomes a challenge. 

4. It's fun! - Let's be honest, fly fisherman are a slightly different breed of people. We tend to be passionate and even slightly obsessive about our sport, our waters, and our fishing! Distance fly casting is fun for us passionate anglers! Some of the many joys of being a fly angler are feeling the line load the rod, seeing that tight loop, and making a perfect cast.  

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CASTING DISTANCE

I have a short list of things to learn and practice in order to learn how to cast 100 feet with a single hand fly rod. I can consistently cast 100' with a 9' 4wt fly rod and a standard fly line. It's not as hard as you might think. This isn't an exhaustive list but a great place to start. If you can learn all these techniques you will be casting 100' in no time! This list isn't in any particular order. Youtube also has some great videos on distance casting! 

1. Learn to form tight loops - Tight loops look like a long sideways U shapes. There are plenty of books and videos on forming quality loops. TIGHT LOOPS ARE NOT OPTIONAL WHEN IT COMES TO ACHIEVING DISTANCE! 

2. Practice on a lawn - One of the best ways to improve your cast is to just go to a park and practice, practice, practice. I often find a park a better place to practice than even a body of water; you just have to ignore the ignorant, I mean innocent by-standards who make comments like "you catching anything".... 

3. Straight rod path - Essentially this means your rod tip needs to make a straight line as it travels back and forth while casting. A straight rod path is a requirement to creating tight loops. If you find your loops tailing or being overly open... check your rod tip path. 

4. Learn the double haul - Again youtube is a great resource here. The double haul often feels strange when you first learn it, but eventually it will become second nature. 

5. Learn to carry line in the air - The more line you can carry in the air the further you can reach. To hit 100' I like to carry about 60'-70' in the air and shoot about 40 feet. If you can carry 60' with a good double haul 100' is easily reachable. 

6. Forget the 10-2 thing - When you are first learning how to cast the 10-2 principle can help, but as you learn to cast further, your casting motion needs to change. You have to extend your reach in order to generate fast line speed. 

7. Creep is bad... creep is good - Creep typically means your hand drifts forward too early and takes away from the power of your cast. That's bad... What you want to do is allow your hand to slowly creep (after a hard stop) towards your line creating more power in your cast. This often looks like a slight rocking motion with distance casters. 

8. Create a hard stop at the end of your cast - A hard stop allows the bend in the rod to release creating forward trajectory. A firm grip will help you to create a hard stop as you are casting. 

We hope some of that info helps! Now get to the park and practice, practice, practice! 

The Revolution Z and Truth fly rod will be available for pre-order on kickstarter.com on August 31st at 7:00PM MT. Kickstarter is the best place to order the new rod and reel and here is why...

1. The first 25 rod and reels that are ordered will be 20-25% off retail!

2. Anyone who orders in the first 24 hours will be entered into a drawing to get both the Truth rod and Revolution Z for FREE!

3. All rods and reels will be a minimum of 15% off during the entire 30 day campaign! 

4. All RevolutionZ/Truth combos will be 20% off

5. Our popular Ultra Violet color will be available as a kickstarter only special

To maximize your value on Kickstarter we suggest you try and be one of the first to order. Here are a few tips to successfully order on Kickstarter...

1. Create a kickstarter account ahead of time for a quick checkout

2. At 7:00PM MT go directly to kickstarter.com and search Revolution Z in the search bar. The Early-bird specials will sell out extremely fast so be quick to checkout! 

3. There will be three early bird specials... one for the Revolution Z, one for the Truth, and one for a combo (you can only order one per-account)

4. Even if you miss the early-bird specials, we suggest you still order in the first 24 hours for a chance to win the free Revolution Z/ Truth combo (winner will be announced at the end of the campaign)

If you have questions, drop us an email. 

Tight Lines,

This year I have taken many trips with both beginner and intermediate fly casters. The one question I am often left with at the end of a trip is why one person catches more fish than another? Is it the cast, the mend, the fly, the drift, or just pure luck? Throughout the year I have made a small list of things that can dramatically improve your chances of catching fish. This isn't a list of major things like longer casts, matching the hatch, or even how lucky you are. This is a list of six subtle techniques that will improve your fish count. 

1. Set the hook by pulling down stream from the fish - It's common knowledge that fish normally feed facing upstream into the current. Many fly fisherman make the mistake of setting the hook by lifting the rod straight up in the air when they get a bite. The problem with this is that you will frequently pull the fly out of the fishes mouth by setting the hook this way. One of the best ways to set hook is by pulling the rod down stream towards the fishes tail. You do this by pulling the rod in a diagonal motion away form the fishes mouth. This allows your fly to set right in the corner of a fishes jaw, instead of running the risk of pulling the fly out of the mouth. The direction you set the hook can dramatically improve your hook up percentage. Give it a try!

2. Stealth Matters - Trout are spooky little fellas. They see, hear, and sense danger in order to protect themselves from predators. When fishing for spooky trout (or other fish) it's important to do all you can to avoid spooking fish. Her are some things I do to stay sneaky. 1. keep a low profile - I like to hide behind grass, boulders, trees, etc. I often cast from a crouched position when hunting spooky trout. 2. Wear colors that blend into your surroundings. 3. Avoid a false cast if you can - Fish can see and sense your line in the air. 70% of my casting on freestone streams is a roll cast of some type. Learn to master the long roll cast. It can save the day in a tight space. 

3. Get your fly at the right depth - While trout will of out of their way to feed, they mostly like to eat what is placed right in front of them. Most people think making a good cast is enough, but big fish commonly feed deep. You can place the fly directly in front of a feeding trout only to get the snub, because the fly isn't deep enough. Tungsten bead head fly's, split shots, fluorocarbon tippet can be lifesavers when it comes to sinking flies quickly. Next time a fish gives you the snub, try going deeper!

4. Keep your line wet - On slow fishing days people get frustrated. Common signs of frustration are changing flies numerous times, getting stuck on trees and branches (more than normal), wind knots, tangles, and too much time sitting on the bank. The best thing you can do to catch more fish is to keep your line in the water as much as possible. Keep casting, moving, and trying. Sometimes the fly isn't the problem, it's just slow. The more time you spend fishing, the more fish you will catch. I know this seem obvious and overly simple but too many fellas are stuck on the bank when they should be catching fish!

5. Go small - Small flies work. If I have the right fly but it's simply not producing I will often go the next size down. I do this with streamer's, nymph's, midge's, and dry's. Small flies work

6. Keep moving -  Don't get stuck fishing the same hole all day. When I fish I like to move. I have no problem fishing miles of water in one day. Don't get me wrong I will stop and spend time targeting a particular fish, but coving more water is one of the best ways to catch more fish. The more water you can set foot in, the more fish you will come in contact with. 

I hope some of those small tips help!

Tight Lines,

Matthew Taylor

This year at the IFTD show we introduced three new products with high praise. Our new T1 reel, Anthem rod, and Truth rod were received with high praise. The T1 is a throwback in design to our original TYPE1 reel with a modern updated edge. It features a sealed drag system, is light weight, and comes at a very affordable price of $240-$260 USD. Our new Anthem rod received a generous amount of praise with its beautiful golden olive, lightly sanded blank and flawless performance. It's our new medium-fast action rod with an MSRP in the low $200s. Our new Truth rod is our flagship fast action model featuring the highest modulus graphite, titanium components, beautiful high quality cork, and a stealth look. Keep an eye out for these new products at our retailers and online later this year!

Billfish, shark, marlin, amberjack, barracuda, bonitos, jack, and tuna are some of the many reasons I have become addicted to offshore fly fishing. My first several trips offshore I faced the daunting challenge of figuring out what in the world I was doing. Not a lot of people fly fish offshore and when they do the techniques are varied and ambiguous. Before my first offshore trip I researched and prepared the best I knew how, but I still had a lot of questions. Here are some tips, gear advice, and info that can help you when it comes to fly fishing offshore.

Gear necessities

1. The fasting sinking fly line you can find - My first trip offshore we pulled up to a wreck and immediately there were fish all around the boat. The problem was they were about 30'-50' below us and I only had an intermediate line. Try as I may, I struggled to get the fly deep enough to get a take. After that I went home and bought the biggest and heaviest fly line I could find. That line was a game changer on my next trip when I encountered a very similar situation. Deep water = Deep fish.

2. 12wt+ Rod - Big fish means you need a big rod. Imagine hooking a large shark, tuna, amberjack, etc, and being stuck with a smaller rod! I usually throw a 12wt rod or bigger. 

3. 8wt -10wt rod also - I know I just said you need a 12wt rod, but fly fishing offshore in tropical environments can throw many different situations your way in one day. Bring your trusty 8wt flats rod with floating or intermediate line. If you run into a school of fish chasing bait or dorado handing around a weed line the 8wt will do the trick and can be easier to cast off the boat!

4. Thick tippet and wire - I normally throw 30lb mono straight leader offshore, but always carry wire tippet with me. Trust me, its very frustrating to get repeatedly cut off by large barracuda or shark because you forgot your wire. 

5. A reel with a strong brake - I fish our Revolution reel offshore every time! The 25lb drag brake is an absolute must. 

6. Big flies tied on big hooks - Big flies that push a lot of water are a must. I find large single hook musky or pike flies do just fine. I like weighted flies to help get the fly down quickly. It's also important to have a variety of different saltwater flys in your box. You never know what you will run into offshore. 

Tactics

1. Fish wrecks and underwater structure - Fish love any structure they can find. Any good captain will know the wrecks and locations where fish commonly hold. It's very common to pull up to a wreck and find that their are fish all around the boat in a short amount of time. Fish see the boat and get curious which will draw them near.

2. Use live bait and chum - Some purists don't like the use of chum or bait to bring the fish in. I think why waste time making your fishing harder than it needs to be. Chum will bring the fish to the boat and live bait (tossed off the boat one at a time) will tease the fish into casting distance. 

3. Trolling works (bait and switch technique) - Trolling usually involves conventional rods with hookless lures to bring the fish to the boat close enough so you can cast your fly and hook the fish. This is a common technique for billfish or marlin. 

4. Chase birds and agitated water - If you see birds diving into what looks like a bubble bath you have found a school of hungry predatory fish. The challenge is to get close enough and quick enough to get your fly into the feeding frenzy! If you can it's going to be game on!

5. Follow shrimp boats, weed lines - If you can find a large shrimp boat in your travels it can be extremely lucrative to give them a follow. Fish will often follow them feeding off the bi-catch. Make sure and be courteous to the boat before you start chasing them around! Most captains don't mind and some will even trade some shrimp for a magazine, newspaper, etc... (shrimp boats can be at sea for long periods at a time). Weed lines or other surface structure also often hold fish.

6. tease fish to the surface using hookless lures - Sometimes you can pull of to a wreck but the fish just won't come up form the bottom. I have found throwing a conventional rod with large crank style lures (no hooks) can help tease the fish from the bottom to the boat. Once the fish are near the surface switch out for the fly rod and get ready!

7. Keep your fly in the water - Last summer I caught a black fin tuna on the fly rod! It was a thrilling catch, but I never would have caught it if I hadn't kept my fly in the water. Before I hooked up with the fish, I hadn't seen anything moving in the water for about 20 minutes, but yet I kept casting, letting the fly sink, and stripping it back in. While I was doing this it just so happened that a school of tuna swam by and took the fly! I didn't see them coming, nor was I expecting them, but keeping my line in the water paid its dividends!

Fly fishing offshore can be intimidating and challenging, but sooo rewarding! These tips and tricks can help, but they are only a starting place. I know some of these tips are unconventional... but they are effective. Hire a good captain, get offshore and see what you can do! I guarantee one good day with the fly offshore will have you hooked for life! Maybe you have some advice we didn't list. If you have any other tips leave them in the comments section... Tight Lines!

What does fly rod action mean? What does fast action, medium-fast, or slow action mean and why is it important when picking a rod? Rod action can be confusing to understand for many anglers. One of reasons why action is hard to explain, is that there is no set standard or definition within the fly fishing industry for what action means. What is fast for one company might be medium-fast for another and vice versa. Also one companies definition of action might be slightly different from another. Here is a short list of words and definitions that will help you to understand fly rod action to a greater degree. 

1. Recovery speed - How fast the rod returns to straight after being bent or cast. The stiffer the rod the faster the recovery.

2. Flex or rod profile - Where the rod blank bends. A mid flex rod bends closer to the middle of the rod when cast. A tip flex rod bends more towards the tip when cast.

3. Line speed - How fast the line move through the guides when being cast. Rods that generate higher line speeds will shoot line further after a proper cast. 

4. Action - A combination of flex profile or taper (where the rod bends) and stiffness (the rods recovery time after being bent).

The benefits of fast action rods are that they typically cast further and generate higher line speeds, while the downside being a lack of feel and accuracy during shorter casts. Not all fast action rods are designed exactly the same, this is where rod profile becomes critical to understand. A fast rod with a flexible tip will have more feel and acuracy in closer ranges than those with stiffer tips. A fast action rod with a stiff tip can typically cast a mile, but can be a chore up close. Next time you are looking for a rod don't just focus on action, but pay attention to the flex profile. Also fast rods are not necessarily better than slower rods. The slower the action the more forgiving a rod is during a bad cast. A medium or medium-fast rod are typically better performers for short range fishing situation (and can be more enjoyable to fish because of the ability to feel the rod to a greater degree during the cast). There is no right or wrong rods (well there are some rods that are wrong for everybody). Your rod choice should be determined by your experience level, preference, fishing situation, and budget (for most people). 

Tight Lines,