Fiberglass revolutionized the sport by providing fishermen with cheaper, stronger and longer casting rods. Although fiberglass rods were widely used, they were very heavy and were not the easiest rods to cast. Fiberglass rods have virtually disapeared in the past decade with the advent of graphite rods. Fly rods are classified by the size of the fly line they can cast, a six weight rod casts a six weight rod. They range from a one weight, designed to catch very small fish such as sunnies, to a 15 weight, which is designed to catch gigantic fish such as marlin.
Rods come in many different lengths.
The longer the rod, the further they cast. Short rods are designed for small streams with limited casting space and for delicate casts. Longer rods are designed for large bodies of water, long casts and big flies, and also larger fish. I highly recommend you a purchase a GLoomis rod. Not only is the company excellent and the rods a bargain, but the rods are absolutely a delight to cast.