We’ve all been there, standing aimlessly in a fly shop before a display bristling with fly rods, wondering which one is the right one. For anglers who fly fish the rivers and streams of the West, finding the right fly rod might seem like a tough choice.
And, for real estate buyers looking for the right fishing property for sale, having the right fly rod to put to use on the water of a potential ranch investment is an important consideration, too.
But, truth be told, it needn’t be difficult. There are just a few factors to take into consideration.
How big is the water on your ranch property?
Investors considering fishing property for sale are obviously going to be looking at ranch real estate with good water resources. Some ranch properties boast full-on, trophy trout river frontage. Others have smaller, intimate trout streams contained within the property lines.
And other fishing property for sale contains spring-fed ponds that support very healthy stocked and wild trout populations. Before choosing a fly rod, it’s important to know what kind of water you’ll be fishing.
For instance, big, sweeping rivers like the North Platte might require bigger flies and longer casts. Throw in that patented Wyoming wind, and you’ve got another consideration. A fly rod for this kind of fly fishing will probably be on the larger side. Consider a 7-weight, fast-action fly rod capable of throwing weighted streamers and sink-tip lines into the wind.
But another fishing property for sale might offer fly fishing on a smaller stream. Here, in a walk-and-wade scenario, where the water is smaller, a lighter fly rod might better serve an angler. Think about a 3-weight rod-and-reel combo that can help you accurately put dry flies tight to banks or in the “strike zone” in pocket water.
What size are the fish on the ranch property?
The water isn’t your only consideration, of course. Fishing property for sale in the West can contain waters that are home to trout of all sizes. Typically, the smaller the water, the smaller the fish. But that’s not always the case. Some ranches enhance wild fish with stocked trout that can be quite large.
So, for a fishing property for sale that might offer legitimate trophy angling in small water, it might be best to size up your fly rod a bit. Consider a 9-foot, 5-weight rod with a floating line. This rod setup might be considered a “standard” outfit. It’s got enough backbone for fighting big trout and throwing long casts, while also being light enough to provide delicacy for dry-fly angling.
Taking the fish into account when choosing a fly rod is just as important as the water you fish. These factors, plus the size of the flies you’ll be casting, should give you hints about what size rod and line you’ll need on the water.
Final word
The fly rod you use when pursuing trout in the West is an important consideration. And for prospective buyers looking at fishing property for sale, the same holds true.
Not only do you want to be able to effectively chase trout in the waters of your new investment, you want to be able to advise other anglers, too. This is particularly important if you hope to use the angling resources on your ranch real estate to turn a profit. Offering fly fishing experiences to potential guests can be a lucrative business avenue for ranch owners. Investors looking for fishing property for sale should understand this.
And, being able to advise guests on tackle, fly rods included, is an important business consideration. If you’re looking for fishing property for sale, start with a reputable ranch broker who knows the market. Chances are, there are properties on the market for you. Before you know it, you’ll be standing in the local fly shop, pondering a fly rod purchase. And now you know how to pick the right one.
