For myself I purchase my line weight that matches my rod wieght.. For instance for fishing brook trout I use a 4 weight pack rod.. ( 4 piece rod ) . So the line I use on this is a 4 weight line.. Then comes a question on what taper. I choose to use a douple tapered line on brook trout because of using a lighter fly and I do not always need a real long cast.. I would never use this rod on anything but brook trout though.. The leader is pretty much the same thing for me depending on what I am fishing for..

My best all around fly rod weight for salmon and bass is a 7 weight with a weight forward taper. For me I just tie on whatever piece of line I want for a leader that part does not matter to me.. Others may have a prefference but not me.. It depends again on what I am fishing for. I have caught a variety of fish on this rod from Atlantic Salmon ( which to me is the ultamite catching fish in the world for as far as weight and fighting goes..) to chain pickeral and white perch. This rod I use a 7 weight line on it. It is a lot of fun catching fish on a fly rod though.. I also have a spare spool for my reel that I use weight forward slow sinking line with. Sometimes in the spring I will use this nymph fishing for brookies to help sink a nymph down..

For as far as what the rod is made out of it is what fits your needs best.. I currently use graphite for brookies and fiberglass for my all around flyrod..

When learning to cast with a fly rod take a plastic soda bottle and place it in your arm pit that you will be casting from. If your drop the soda bottle practice some more. This is so that you use only your forearm and your wrists when casting. I hope some of this helps you und3rstand a little more about it..

I see you have had no luck with the bass yet? Did you try a slow troll with those streamers I sent down to you yet? It may be a good time to try one out.. Just remember to place a split shot around 2 feet ahead of it.. Good luck..

Myself I would shy away from the old vintage bamboo flyrod as the can be dried out and not much use for fishing with.. Once dried out the can become rather brittle.. I wouldn't mind having one to just place on the wall to go along with a wall hanger though..

For as far as tippets go I do not use them as I tie my line onto the fly line..