Some things to ponder prior to purchasing a new2u fly rod. Foremost, on what fish and water will the rod be used? Consider your strength and coordination. What is your fishing experience?. Correct choice of line weight, rod length and action depend on this evaluation.
You want a good casting and fish fighting tool. You want good value for your money. So, what makes a quality rod? Generally speaking the more expensive the rod, the better the quality of material used in the guides, reel seat, and grip. Look for good workmanship - maybe better aesthetics, too.
For guides, a rule of thumb is one guide, not including the tip-top, for each foot of rod length. Fewer guides permit the line to sag and slap on the rod, creating more friction when casting. There is a right size for guides, too. Very small guides will create more friction and very large guides will permit more sag and slapping. The number of stripping guides varies. Lighter weight rods need only one stripping guide, while heavier weight rods should be equipped with two.
Should you have an up- or downlocking reel seat? Most fisherpeople prefer uplocking. If you wish to hold your rod near the reel, a downlocking seat subjects your handto agitation at the juncture of the cork and the reel seat. On heavier weight rods it is nice to have a double locking screw system.
Cork is preferred for the handle, as theoretically it feels warmer in cold weather and cooler in warm weather. Cork doesn't get overly slick when wet, and it has great cushioning properties. Check the cork for quality. Are there any soft or loose spots? The less filler, the better. Shape and size of the handle are a matter of personal preference. Is the grip sized right and comfortably shaped for your hand for casting and fish fighting?
Next consider the workmanship and overall aesthetics of the rod. Most manufacturers polish their rods upon removal from the furnaces to eliminate any rough spots and the thread used to hold the graphite on the mandrels. (One company does not polish their rods. Know which company that is?) Well-epoxyed, short, thread wraps extending just off the foot of the guides is the order of the day. The more thread and epoxy, the more weight, which dampens the rod's action.
Speaking of which, I recommend that one check the action of the rod. Most people pick up a rod and shake it several times, and that is that. Here's the way to really learn something about the rod. Hold the rod firmly, parallel to the floor, and whip the rod with some vigor. Watch where the rod flexes the most. If the rod bends in the upper one-third, you know that the rod is considered fast action; in the middle, it is medium action. If the rod bends down into the butt section, and you can even feel the handle bend in your hand, you know that the action of the rod is considered slow.
When you have a likely candidate, give it the real test. Take the rod, equipped with reel and line, to a pond for some casting, and check for these qualities. (Fishing is not a good way to make these evaluations.) Start with balance. Is the fully equipped rod tip heavy or butt heavy? Cast the rod for feel. Does the action suit your casting stroke? The rod should perform a number of tasks well. Test it thoroughly. Roll cast. Pick up thirty-five feet of line from the water and lay it out in a different direction. See that it mends and controls line on the water easily and accurately.Turn over a leader with a large fly, and present it with some delicacy at long distances. Will the rod deliver a fly accurately seventy feet and beyond? Does it shoot line easily? Will the rod load sufficiently with thirty to thirty-five feet of line off the rod tip for quick pick up and shoot? Try to form tight loops to get line speed and distance Does the rod generate high speed for quick, powerful delivery into the wind? Is there enough strength in the butt section to pressure a running fish? Could you cast repeatedly for long periods without fatigue?
If in your opinion the rod fulfills all the above criteria, then just possibly you have found the rod that is for you.