Just looking around different places to see if I can perhaps buy myself a new fly rod and reel, can anyone explain the different weights to me, and which weight should I go for to begin with?

Thanks, James

Two very important questions only you can answer:

Where do you intend to fish?

What is your budget?

The Pirate.

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Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

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I would expect to fish more in lakes but I may have a go in a couple of rivers, and my budget is up to around £250

A 5 wt, 9' rod should suit you to begin with, matched with a #5 line. Thats what the numbers mean in fly fishing. 5wt rod takes a #5 line.

A floating weight forward line is best = WF-5-F.

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No, its not rocket science, its rod science which is even more complicated.

agree with Jeltz 100%.
If i had to be screwed down to 1 rod it would be a 9ft 5 weight. jack of all trades. fly fishings a quirky old game and we all have our own preferences with regard to actions etc. the only long distance advice i could give is dont jump in and blow all your brass on fancy gear, it will not help you catch. good cheap rod...... shakespeare odyssey or rovex, these rods are great and punch way beyon their weight honestly, cheep reel... take your pick, its only a line holder. Casette systems help for when you get more lines so i'd say ebay for a leeda LC100, simple and bombproof!!!
Line........... pitsford pirate (he posted earlier).
Then spend £60 on a 2 hour lesson with a qualified instructor. your first lesson is the best brass youl ever spend.
tight lines
rod

The weight system is meant to match lines to rods so that a rod will flex optimally with the appropriate weight line. Broadly speaking it is easier to land a small fly gently with a lighter weight rod and to chuck a weighted nymph further with a heavier weight rod.

When I started fishing around 15 years ago the standard all rounder was a 9ft 6" #6 weight. Although rods have got much stronger in the intervening years I'd still go for a 9ft 6" #6 because if you are fishing lakes over the winter you'll probably be using goldhead (i.e. weighted) nymphs and it will be easier to control them with the slightly heavier set up, and you'll get a bit more distance. Also sinking / sink tip / intermediate lines are not generally available in a #5 weight.

I can't vouch for the 9ft Odyssey but I have a 10ft Odyssey XT as a spare rod for friends that I think is terrific value. I got it from John Norris but the range is widely available.

If you want a cassette reel Ian Woods Fly Reels is doing a deal on the Greys GX500 but also supplies the Leeda.

As roders has already said the Pitsford Pirate does great lines, as does Mike Barrio. I'd get a floater and a sink tip.

Don't forget you'll need flies - check out the classified section here on the forum.

Finally roders is absolutely right about having a lesson

Until you can cast to a standard that won't see you slamming goldheads into your £100+ rod, stick with shaky odysseys.

I have 3 of them, you will not believe what you get for £20.

Thanks all, pretty much got a good idea about what it all means, and will probably try and get and oddessy or shakespeare rod to start with, Thanks for all of thaqt great info

Here are a cople of kit I have looked at

Maybe a bit expensive, has a 9.0 ft 5 weight option, you say not worth spending so much on a rod
Sportfish Purecast Kits - Sportfish

I cant find any other kits, would anyone be able to help me out?

Thanks, James

if your looking for kits try Garry Evans or Glasgow anling centres they do some