I listened to an interview of Simon Gawesworth on flyfishing internet radio. Gawesworth is a famous competitive fly caster and casting teacher. Gawesworth said that he much prefers fly casting itself over catching fish. I think many of us enjoy the act of fly casting itself or, we would use spinning gear for example. I find that I enjoy fly fishing MORE when I am using my favorite rod of all time, my Hexagraph 4/5 wt. It is built like a bamboo rod but the blank material is flat graphite instead of bamboo. I have other rods that cast longer distances easier, such as an older , high modulus Orvis, BUT the Hexagraph is a better fish hooking tool, better at protecting light tippets and is more pleasant casting at trout fishing distances. Although I can cast my entire 4wt fly line and part of the backing with a 7 and 1/2 ft rod, I have only once or twice hooked a trout on a dry at that distance. That distance casting is really a circus stunt to show off to your wife or new fly fisher friend in my world. Most of the time, I cast to trout that are 20 ft or less away; sometime 5 ft away if I am stealthy enough. I do a lot of wet fly fishing and I end up using my Streamflex 3wt which is 10 or 11ft, cant remember. I much prefer a long rod for wet fly fishing. Too bad I didnt have an 11 ft Hexagraph! That would be the ultimate wet fly rod!
Do you really enjoy fly casting and how much? Do you enjoy a certain rod you have more than others? Or, is your fly rod a tool to deliver a fly to hook a trout and the tool does not matter or enhance the experience?