for a rod? I started out with a Academy $39 kit and after casting it thinking I will never get this down. A few weeks go by and I decide to step up to a rod with a carry tube so I bought Cabelas 5wt combo(which I still use for river fishing)and after casting it was like night and day from the cheap rod. I use this one for a while and doing well with it but then a TFO 5wt with Sage reel came up for sale on this site and I thought if the Cabela was better than my first rod then could this one make any difference? Ok now I am seeing the pattern here because with the TFO I'm starting to feel like a pro and then an 8wt TFO with Sage reel came up for sale and I bought that one and again wow, I can cast that thing the proverbial mile. Here's what I'm getting at, will a 400.00-700.00 rod be that much better in feel and casting than my 200.00 TFO?

There's no easy answer here as it becomes more personal and what you are looking for as to the type of conditions you want to fish. I have 4 rods, an old fiberglass 5 wt., a modern graphite 5wt. a 7wt, and an 8wt. The 7 and 8 are tip flex rods that are north of $750 but man do they have the power to shot a line into windy conditions! I don't regret the purchases at all. My first rod from 20 years ago is the fiberglass 5wt mentioned above. I still use it some but like you mentioned its night and day from higher end rods.

I might add that a high quality fly line can make a lot difference as well.

I had that experience moving from my TFO 6-8 Wgt. Into a G.Loomis Short Stix 8/9 Wgt. I always liked my Minimag, but now I can barely stand casting it. The Short Stix does everything that the Minimag did only much better and it swings lighter. It's about a $100 more than the Minimag.

But I still like my $60 Cabelas CGRs.

Well even some expensive rods suck but not many. And some bargain rods are awesome, but not many. All the stuff in the middle ranges from terrible to great. But I don't see any need to spend the premium price for a rod anymore. 200-300 is as much as I'd ever go now and I'm not inclined to even do that. 20 years ago you had to get pricey (400 back then) to get a really good rod. Not anymore. I'd look in that middle range and you'll find some good stuff. Just quite a bit of less-than-good fishing rods to sift through.

Agreed on the line quality being a major factor.

In case you haven't already found this review: https://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review. Click the 2017 review.

Orvis and BPS are local to me and will allow you try before you buy. The BPS in Katy carries Sage, TFO, and some Fenwick rods. The toughest part for me was finding access to other brands to even look at and hold. I also use bait casting rods and have experience with St. Croix and they make really good fly rods. Even if you indeed to buy used being able to cast the same model beforehand goes a long way.

If you want another very nice rod check out the Sage VXP at Cabela's . I have a 5wt , 9' . Love it ! They are discontinued from Sage but a great rod . Last time I looked the one I have was around $250.00 price range give or take a few dollars . But the VXP is also a great rod !

Wow the TFO placed last. I think I will try a 6wt line on my 5wt TFO and see if it improves my accuracy/casting any and if so will just continue to use it. If not I may step up to a better one like the Loop Opti Stream.

Take those reviews with a huge grain of salt. They're fun reading and if you have no idea what you're looking for in a rod they're a good starting point to whittle things down to a few contenders. However, there is no replacement for getting out and trying them for yourself. Everyone has a slightly different casting stroke and preferences so what works for one person may not work for another. Also, modern rods are so good and consistent the difference between top and bottom on lists like Yellowstone Angler are a lot closer than you might think.

I'll reiterate what others have said, dollar for dollar, nothing beats upgrading your line for a performance boost.

Mass Action sez it all-p-

Like a lot of the guides will tell you, "instead of a $700 rod get a $200 rod and $500 on lessons then you will be way ahead and know what rod/rods you like".

Having said that my Sage ESN has become my favorite all around rod and I would classify it as a expensive rod.

Also remember that a 8wt rod is going to be easier to cast than a 3wt rod if you are just starting out

Orvis has several rods lined up here, I'm sure the one closest to you does too. Cast the $200, $400, and $800 rods. You'll find that the $400 casts much better than the $200, but the difference in $400 to $800 isn't as much. Better, but at a point there's only marginal gains to be made.

As mention several times, $80 vs $40 line is night and day difference.

I can't think of anyone who fly fishes often that has just one rod. There are probably some out there, but they seem to be in the small minority.

There seems to be an alchemy of matching the budget to the rod to the reel to the line to the cast to the water and to the individual's taste preferences. Even if you think you have solved that math completely, some one or more variables shift or change. Add to that mankind's never being satisfied with the status quo and it's almost certain your first rod will not be your last unless you give up the sport.

My experience is that any rod can be cast with just about any line within reason. Some are more fun to cast than others. Some are more suited to certain styles of fishing than others. In general, my experience is that more expensive graphite rods seem to do what the less expensive ones do only the former swing lighter, look better, and are more crisp feeling in the hand and tend to have more top end power for distance all other things being equal.

I don't think anyone has come up with the equation or formula to work out this for everyone. At best, they might figure it out for themselves and everyone exactly like themselves. If someone has solved how to pick out the rod that works for everyone, please share.

100% agree with you here, I have the 2 wt and it's my favorite rod to fish. Not versatile, but it's so fun to catch bream on.