It's possible that your equipment is not balanced properly!

The negative force that you have to apply to keep your rod level will "break" your wrist after a day's fishing! A couple of hours fishing and you will want to throw away your equipement and your better half will have to rub you down with "Aspercream"

Most fly fishers will buy their rod without trying it with the favorite reel. When you visit your local fly shop bring your reel with you and try it out on the rod you have chosen. You will then see if your reel matches the rod you want to buy. Make sure that your reel is loaded with a fly line and backing.
If your reel is new and without line and backing, ask the clerk to lend you a fly line that fits the rod. Hang it on the back end of the reel seat and see if the rod is well balanced. If the clerk says that they dont supply this kind of service, change fly shop immediately! If you like the rod, but the balance is a little off, you can always add some .025 lead wire at the bottom of your reel. A pratice that is not commonly used, but some use it with success.

The same principal applies if you are purchasing a fly reel. Bring your rod with you.!

This is not the only definition of balanced equipement.

You must also understand that each rod is made for a specific line weight. You will have trouble casting a #7 line with a #4 weight rod. Your rod and reel will have to be rod/line balanced. Some low end rod manufacturers will indicate that the rod is a #6/7 line. This means that you can use a #6 or a #7 fly line. Try both to see which line weight feels more confortable for you. Not all casters are the same. Again ask your clerk to try both lines.

You buy a second hand rod and you can't find the line weight on the rod! The only way to find out what line weight the rod is, is to try it out with different line weight. Again your fly shop can supply this service. An old proverb says " dont go to a shoe store if you need a suit". With this said, the large surface stores like Canadian Tire, Wal Mart, etc... will not give you good service. Only a specialized shop will give proper advice.

Tight Lines

Michel Lajoie