One thing is for sure in fly fishing, there are plenty of opinions. Whether you are looking for advice on how to catch fish or fly fishing gear, there is no shortage of information from the "experts". Talk to a thousand different fly fisherman, and you will receive a thousand different answers on nymph fishing, streamer fishing, knots etc. The same is true when trying to choose the best fly rods for fly fishing.
I will give a few recommendations of fly rods that I prefer, but this is just my opinion. I don't consider myself an expert in anything....especially fly fishing. Full disclaimer, I worked for an Orvis endorsed outfitter, so the majority of my fly rods and experience are with Orvis rods. They have served me well., and I am biased toward them. My time on the water has allowed me to fish many other rods too.
Rather then try to sell you on certain fly fishing rods, my goal is to give you a better understanding of how to choose a fly rod, what fly rods are best for different scenarios, and the mechanics of how fly rods work. Understanding these points will give you the tools to choose the best rod for you no matter what manufacturer makes it.
Table Of Contents
- What is the Best Fly Fishing rod?
- High End Components For Fly Rods
- Fly Rods Made in America
- A Lifetime Warranty
- Weights, Lengths, sections, and Tip Speed
- What is the best length for a fly fishing rod?
- Fast Action Rod or Slow Action Rod? What does It mean?
- Choosing The Best Fly Rods for Specific Occasions
What Is The Best Fly Fishing Rod?
There are many fly rod manufactures that make terrific rods. Why people choose certain rods from specific manufactures probably has more to do with crafty marketing campaigns then fly fishing. No matter what rod you choose, if you select a fly rod from a well known manufacturer, then it will be a quality rod. Rod makers such as: Sage, Orvis, Scott, TFO, Thomas and Thomas, St Croix, and G-Loomis to name a few, all make great rods. The price difference in fly fishing rods is usually found in the location they are made and the hardware that goes onto them.
As a general rule of thumb, most rod designers offer fly rods in three categories: low end ($250-$300 Ex. Orvis Clearwater), Medium ($500-$700 Ex. Orvis Recon), and top of the line ($800-$1200 Ex. Orvis Helios 3).
The cheapest fly rods that come from a reputable manufacturer are assembled in Mexico, South Korea, or Vietnam. Many times, if you read the label, on the cheapest fly rods, it will say "designed in Rod Companies Home Town, assembled in "a foreign country". Labor is cheaper in foreign countries, especially in Asia, and so the rod is cheaper to produce there. Thus, the rod cost less then a rod that is hand made in Colorado or Montana.
High End Components For Fly Rods
In addition, low end fly rods are made with a cheaper graphite blank. This typically results in less sensitivity. If you have never fished with really high end rods, then you won't know the difference. Lower end fly rods still cast and feel really great. However, once you cast a high end rods the difference is noticeable. This is especially true when casting them side by side.
There is also a major difference in the hardware that goes on the fly rod itself. A lower grade cork handle, an aluminum reel seat, and standard rod guides will accompany a cheap fly rod. The overall craftsmanship will be noticeable. The graphite and all the components will be noticeably better. Indestructible titanium guides that can flex into any position, triple AAA graded cork that is flawless, and of course a reel seat made out of the finest hard wood will be on high end fly rods.
Fly Rods Made in America
As you move into the top tier price point, most rods will not only be designed in America, but it will also be built there too. Hand rolled and tied by Americans in an American shop. American labor drives the price point up considerably, this has been especially true post Covid-19 with the increase in inflation.
In addition to the improved hardware, all all fly rods will come with a rod tube. Many of the lower class rods will include a plastic fly rod tube with some sort of cloth woven over it. High end rods usually come with an aluminum rod tube.
A Lifetime Warranty
No fault lifetime warranties are pretty standard in the fly fishing industry. This unusual in the retail world, as there are very few products on the market that come with such a guarantee. Fly fishing rods can be broken, sent in, charged a small fee, and either repaired or replaced.
Weights, Lengths, sections, and Tip Speed
Before choosing a fly rod for trout or any other species, you need to understand how fly rods are classified. A fly rod is classified by weights. Unlike conventional fishing rods, which use the weight of a heavy lure to bend or load the rod, fly rods use a weighted plastic line to load or bend the rod. The energy stored in the loaded fly rod will project the fly and weighted fly line to the target.
Because a weighted fly line is used, fly rods are also classified into weights that correspond with the weight of the fly fishing rod. Fly fishing rods can range from a 2 weight to 14 weight. The smaller the weight number the lighter the fly rod. The rods become heavier as you move up in number. With a heavier weighted rod and fly line, you can fight larger fish and cast bigger flies with power. It is important to match the weight of the fly line with the weight of the fly rod. If you are new to casting, then a helpful trick is to choose a fly line that is one weight heavier then your fly rod. This additional weight of the line will help you load or bend the rod and make casting just a little bit easier.
What Is The Best Fly Rod weight?
Choosing the correct rod weight really depends on where your fly fishing adventures will take you. If you are planning on trout fishing with a fly rod, then you will want to choose a rod that is middle of the road when it comes to fly rod weight. A rod that is suitable for a wide variety of conditions and species.
Choose a fly rod in the 5 to 6 weight range. A 5 or 6 weight trout fly rod is a versatile rod. It can cast small minnow patterns for streamer fishing, nymph with an indicator, and will also work well for dry fly fishing too. I prefer a 6 weight rod because it is an even more versatile rod for where I fish. Not only can it make all the presentations above, it can also be used for fly fishing for small mouth and large mouth bass. Plus, a little heavier rod makes casting in the wind a little more manageable. I like to choose fly fishing gear that is versatile, so I would go with a 6 weight in regard to selecting trout fly rods.
For bigger fish species in freshwater lakes and rivers, like small mouth and large mouth bass, I prefer a heavier rod weight than your traditional trout fly fishing rod. Both of these gamefish require larger popper flies and streamer patterns. The result is that you need a stronger rod then your traditional trout fly fishing rod to turn the large flys over, and transfer enough energy to present the flies properly. Seven or eight weight rods are the best fly rods for these species in my opinion.
Saltwater fly rods will be found in heavier weights. Heavier weighted fly rods in the 7,8,9,10,11, and 12 are all common saltwater rod weights. The reason you need heavier rods for inshore and offshore fly fishing, is because the wind blows harder, the fish are bigger, and the flies are heavier. All of these factors require the use a heavier rod with a heavier line weight. I prefer a 8,9,or 10 weight for fishing for inshore saltwater species. Ten to twelve weighted fly rods are excellent for large tarpon and smaller offshore species. A size 14 fly rod will handle marlin, sailfish, and GT's.
What Is The Best Length For A Fly Fishing Rod?
The best length fly fishing rod depends on where you are going to fish. The standard most common length for a trout fly rod, and even saltwater rods is 9 feet in length. Of course there are shorter and longer fly rods too. Fly rods can range in length from 6' to 12'. I consider many factors when choosing the length of my fly rods.
First, where will you be fly fishing? Are you going to be fishing in small creeks with small flies, or will you be fishing in areas that are wide open and windy? Do you plan to fly fish with traditional methods, or are you going to want to primarily European nymph? All of these factors will play a role in deciding what length fly rod you will consider when choosing a new fly rod.
Why Choose A Shorter Fly Rod?
Why choose a shorter fly rod in the 6 to 8.5' foot length? Shorter fly rods are ideal for casting in tight spaces, smaller creeks, and areas where long back cast are not feasible. The shorter the rod, the easier it is to cast in areas where there might be bushes or trees in close quarters. In addition, smaller rods are easier to transport.
If you are planning on doing more back country fly fishing in high alpine lakes or streams, then a shorter fly rod would be a solid fly rod choice. Shorter rods are easier to pack into remote areas, they weigh less, and often times, shorter rods are ideal trout rods for smaller streams with tight bushes on both sides of the bank. In addition, high alpine trout will most of the time eat dry flies with reckless abandon. Therefore, you most likely won't be nymphing like you would with standard 9 ft fly rod. A shorter medium fast action rod will present small dries in a delicate manner. If you want to fish in larger more wide open rivers where wind is a factor, then a longer fly rod might be the correct choice for your first trout rod.
Why Choose A Longer Fly Rod?
Fly rods in the 9'-11' range are best suited for larger rivers. A 9ft fly rod is usually considered the correct length for the best all around fly rod. A 9ft rod is an ideal rod for fishing from a drift boat, casting dry flies, drifting nymphs, or even ripping streamers. When wading or fishing from a boat, and making longer cast, a 9ft rod is essential to providing the angler with more leverage.
Leverage is important when both fighting fish and mending fly line. This is especially true when wind and longer cast are factors. In both of these scenarios, the extra foot of fly rod really helps to make the angler's job of mending easier. The higher you are able to lift the rod tip above the water, the more fly line you will be able to mend with less effort.
In addition, the extra foot of fly rod will help you gain leverage over fish, this especially true when fighting big fish. This same principle of leverage is illustrated when changing the tire on a car. If you have ever changed a tire on a car, then you might be familiar with what to do when you have lug nut that is stuck. The solution is to slide a pipe over the handle of the wrench to gain more leverage over the bolt. With the extra length of the pipe and additional leverage, the bolt will break loose with half the effort and force. This is true with fly rods, and this why many euro nymphers fish with longer fly rods.
Euro nymphers will often fish with fly rods that are 10',11', or even 12' feet in length. The extra length of the rod gives them greater leverage over fish, which in turn allows them to fish lighter more sensitive fly rods. This is critical in order to feel every bump, tick, and strike of their flies as they bounce along the bottom of the river. This makes longer rods the best fly fishing rods for euro nymphing. Furthermore, a longer rod is a fantastic rod for euro nymphing because euro nymphing requires shorter lob casts. The extra few feet, give anglers the ability to reach fish that a shorter 8' or 9' fly rod couldn't reach.
Fast Action Rod Or Slow Action Rod? What Does It Mean?
All fishing rods are designed with a rod action in mind. Rods are generally broken into 3 categories: fast, medium and slow rod tips. The action of a rod is defined by where the rod bends or flexes. A fast rod tip flexes toward the end of the rod or rod tip, a medium or moderate action rod flexes in the middle portion of the rod, and an ultra slow rod flexes closet to the handle of the rod. This can be broken down further with extra fast rods, medium fast action rods, or extra slow action fly rods. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to different rod tip speeds.
A fast action or extra fast action rod tip is a rod with a stiff tip. The advantages to a fast action rod are several. First, fast action rods are the best fly fishing rods when casting in the wind. A fast action fly rod will give you better line control to drive the fly line into the wind and make presenting the fly easier in windy conditions. Fast action rods are often the best rods to choose when selecting a saltwater fly rod, fishing from a raft or drift boat, nymphing, dry dropper fishing, casting large foam bugs, fishing streamers, fishing heavier fly rigs and setting the hook for fighting fish.
When fly fishing in the above described scenarios you don't want a soft rod tip that is extra spongy. You need power to move flies and present the flies to a target. Casting large streamer flies, heavy nymph rigs, and casting into the wind on wide open rivers is difficult to do with a soft rod tip. In addition, a fast rod tip allows for more accurate cast. This is particularly critical in saltwater fly fishing, where wind, distance and accuracy are often relevant factors to success. Also, fish in these environments tend to be bigger and stronger. Therefore, you need the extra stiff rod to handle large gamefish.
When trout fishing, especially from a drift boat or raft. Many fishing scenarios call for close fly presentations to the either the banks or to cover. A fast action fly rod provides the angler with the advantage of casting accuracy. Fast responsive rod tips allow you to drive the flies into cover and tight to banks.
The draw back to most rods with a fast action tip, is that you sacrifice a delicate presentation. A ultra responsive rod tip that drives flies with force will present flies in a less then delicate manner. This can spook fish when flies make contact with the surface of the water. This is especially true when fishing dry flies to selective spooky trout. A softer more delicate rod tip might be a better option for presenting dry flies in this scenario.
Medium Fast Action Rod
Medium fast action rods are generally thought to be the best fly rods for anglers looking for a good all around beginner fly rod. If you are new to the sport of fly fishing, then mastering casting can be difficult at first. With a medium or medium fast rod tip, casting mistakes can be absorbed with a fly rod that is just a bit softer. Medium action fly rods feel similar to a fast action fishing rod but are more forgiving.
Slightly slower rods are excellent for anglers in search of an all around trout rod: fighting smaller fish, using it for both lighter nymphing setups, dry flies, and small streamers. The disadvantage of a medium weight fly rod, is that you cannot fish as aggressively as you can with a fast action rod. You will be limited in the size of fish you can pursue, the size of fly you can cast, and fishing lighter fly rig setups.
Slow Action Fly Fishing Rods
Slow action fly rods are best best fly fishing rods suited for anglers looking for back country or small stream fly fishing experience, or dry fly scenarios with extra skittish fish. The extreme amount of flex in the rod, almost three quarters down the length of the fly rod, typically requires that an ultra bendable fiberglass rod is best suited for casting dries delicately. Glass rods with an extra soft rod tip allows for casting light flies with an overly delicate presentation.
Of course, a soft tip limits you to catching smaller fish, as the rod lacks the back bone to drive hooks with the hook set or wear big fish out. In addition, when making cast to greater distances, a softer rod will struggle to project power. This will result in shorter casts and a loss of casting accuracy.
Choosing The Best Fly Rods For Specific Occasions
What Are The Best fly Fishing Rods For Beginners
If you are fly fishing for the first time and you want a good all around first fly rod, then as I stated earlier, a 9' 5 or 6 weight fly rod from a reputable fly rod company with a lifetime warranty is a great rod choice. If you are looking for a budget fly rod, then choosing a medium fast rod in the 5 or 6 weight range is a great rod for many fishing scenarios no matter what flies you have in your fly box: nymphing, small streamers, dry flies, small bass poppers and even light carp fishing can all be accomplished on a single fly rod combo.
Fly rod combos are offered by many fly fishing manufacturers. When it comes the budget fly rods in my opinion, these combo packages always leave more to be desired. My advice is to steer clear of cheapest fly rod or combo packages that offer line, reel, and rod. The reason being, is that the fly reels and fly line are usually very cheap, but marked up in price. Spend the majority of your budget on a good fly rod and top of the line fly line. A high quality fly line will float and cast better making a huge difference in your presentation.
For the best budget fly rods, I personally like the Orvis clearwater rods. In my opinion this is one of the best beginner fly rod. I have 5 or 6 of these, and these are the fly rods that my clients fish. I have broken many Orvis Clearwater fly rods, but these rods take an absolute beating. They cast well, are durable and look nice. They do lack a lifetime warranty. Orvis offers a 25 year warranty on all their rods.
What Are The Best Fly Rods for Streamer Fishing?
Choosing the correct fly rod for streamer fishing makes streamer fishing an enjoyable experience. My particular fly rod choice is a 9' 6, 7, or 8 weight fly rod with an extra fast tip. A seven weight rod with a fighting butt on the end of the handle is what I prefer the most when streamer fishing for trout. In some cases, I will choose a 8 weight fly rod for throwing really large streamers when bass fishing or prospecting for giant trout.
A heavier line weight paired with a fast action fly rod will cast larger streamers tight to cover and the bank. In addition, part of what makes fishing streamers more effective is the amount of movement and action you can impart with the tip of the fishing rod. A spongy soft tip will give way when twitched. This results in less action in the fly as it moves through the water. A fast action fly rod will give you the tools to move the fly. This results in a better presentation with more fly action, and the extra stiff tip will allow you to drive the hook into the fishes mouth with aggressive hook sets.
My go to streamer rod is the Orvis Recon series of fly rods. These are Orvis' intermediate priced fly rods. They get the job done, and are considerably more sensitive then the clearwater series of rods. Other rods that I have fished with and like a lot are the Sage Fly Rods Payload rods. These rods are specifically designed for casting large flies. Payload series of rods are a little bit shorter then 9' depending on the model you choose, but with big flies a slightly shorter rod with an extra stiff tip will casting large flies a little easier. This is one my favorite fly rods to use when casting streamers to the bank from a drift boat.
What Is The Best Fly Rod For Nymphing
When it comes to the best fly fishing rods for nymphing, there are a lot of choices to choose from. Selecting the right fly rod really depends on your personal preference. I prefer a 9' 5 or 6 weight rod with an extra fast tip. The extra fast tip is important for casting heavy nymph rigs, and achieving a strong hook set.
My favorite rod that I own is the Orvis Helios 2. The Helios 2 is on my favorite fly rods for trout fishing. Orvis has long since moved on from the second generation of these rods, and is now in the third generation. These rods are extremely light weight, and the rod tips are very sensitive. This is preferred when nymphing, as you want to stay in contact with your flies and indicator. Plus, it allows anglers to detect subtle strikes.
The Helios is versatile as the rod fishes dry flies as well. One thing I like about the Helios series of rods, is that the third generation gives anglers the option to choose from two different rod flexes: medium or fast. This gives you the flexibility to choose the best option for how you plan to fish.
Other excellent choices for nymphing rods are made by Scott and Sage Fly Rods. The Centric series of rods by Scott and the R8 Core Fly rods by Sage are premium fly rods. These top of the line rods are made in the USA and utilize an extra fast tip with the highest quality lines guides. I have fished both rods and been impressed with the light weight feel, recovery time and accuracy that both platforms provide making them some of the best fly rods on the market.
Best Fly Rod For Dry Fly Fishing
This is a loaded question, and honestly one that I am probably not qualified to answer. I don't have rods for specific purposes in my arsenal other then for streamer fishing. In my opinion the best fly fishing rods are ones that are multi-purpose fly rods. I like rods that can nymph well, cast dries, and even throw a streamer if need be. That being said, if you enjoy dry fly fishing, then having a dedicated for the purpose is a good idea.
Choosing the best fly rod for dry fly fishing depends on where you are going to fish. When I guided professional fly fishing trips on the South Fork of the Snake, clients primarily casted to gullible cutthroat trout rising in large pods. These are difficult to spook, and often times they will eat a poorly presented dry fly. In addition, wind is often a factor on that river, so I always preferred a fast action 9 ft rod to cut through the windy conditions and cast with accuracy. My preferred rod of choice was a Orvis Helios 9' 5 weight rod. The best fly rod for you depends on what conditions you are most likely going to encounter.
If you are looking for a true dry fly rod, then I would personally go with the Thomas and Thomas Paradigm series of fly rods. The company I am currently employed at is sponsored by Thomas and Thomas, so I have had an opportunity to cast their rods many times.
The Paradigm series of rods are medium action fly rods with a super smooth presentation. What I like the most about the rod, is that it doesn't feel like I am sacrificing accuracy for a slower more delicate rod tip. The 9' 5 weight Paradigm rod is super light weight. So much so, that there is a noticeable difference between the my older Helios and the Paradigm.
Best Fly Rod For Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass
As I have stated several times before, choosing the best fly rods really depend on how and where you are going to be fishing. There are two ways to fish for largemouth or small mouth bass. First, you can cast smaller sized flies like small poppers, woolly buggers, leach patterns, or small clouser flies. This is considered to be a finesse approach, and you will catch your fare share of bass fishing this way. These fish are usually going to be smaller bass in the 1-3 lbs. range. If you want to catch larger bass then you need to size up.
The second way to fish for bass is to fish aggressively with large flies. This is the power fishing approach. Fishing large flies, such as big deer hair poppers, game changers, sex dungeons, and over sized clouser minnows or aggressively large crayfish patterns will yield larger fish. These fish will sometimes have to be pulled from thick cover. This requires a heavier rod.
If you prefer to fish with a finesse presentation, then any standard 9 ft 6 weight fly rod with a fast action tip will work well for both species of bass. This is convenient, as you can transition easily between species and fishing methods without buying a new rod. If you want to pursue larger bass, then you need to size up in line and rod weight.
When bass fishing, I prefer to fly fish with a 8 weight fly rod. I want to catch big bass, and this means you have to fish big flies. These flies are more akin to large conventional swim baits. In addition, bass fishing to cover is aggressive and you need the extra back bone in a heaver rod to punch flies into cover and then pull fish out of it when necessary.
I fish with a 8 weight Orvis Recon. This is an excellent fast action rod that allows me to move flies aggressively. The Recon is Orvis' middle of the road fly rod, and it delivers excellent performance without breaking the bank. This rod, when paired with a bass tapered fly line, performs exceptionally well for me. It cast flies accurately to cover and more importantly, it is versatile. I have taken this rod to the Texas coast many times, and caught redfish and other inshore species too.
What Is The Best Saltwater Fly Rod
Choosing a saltwater rod is hard to do. There are many factors that will determine which weight rod you want to take fly fishing. When fly fishing in saltwater, wind and the type of fish that you want to catch are going to determine the type of fly rod that you choose.
For inshore fly fishing, coastal bays, flats, and surf fishing, rods that are 9 feet in length with an extra fast tip will get the job done. Many times in saltwater fly fishing, you are required to cast 60'-80' with accuracy. A fast action fly fishing rod will be your best rod for these scenarios. This is especially critical on windy days.
One often over looked aspect of choosing a saltwater fly rod, is to test it out for accuracy with shorter casts. While many times, the conditions call for long cast, there are just as many opportunities to present flies at very short distances off the bow of a skiff. This is particularly true when fishing muddy water or on cloudy days when glare is high and visibility is shortened. My favorite rod, other my Recon to fish with in the salt, is the Scott Sector fly rods. In my experience the recovery time of the Sector is amazing, and it makes short presentations much easier. It also handles the long casts with grace too.
When it comes to what weight fly rod you want to select, this has to do with what fish species you are chasing. Most in shore fly rods range in line weights from 7-10. A smaller 7 or 8 weight fly fishing rod is perfect for redfish, small permit, and even baby tarpon.
On the Texas coast where I have done most of my saltwater fishing, the redfish are extremely skittish. This often requires long leaders with a delicate presentation. A lighter 7 weight rod is perfect for these conditions. The redfish on the Texas Coast average 3-10 lbs. In Louisiana it is a different ball game. The Redfish are giant, averaging 20 lbs. In addition, they are not shy. An aggressive presentation is often required to get them to eat. Heavier 9 and 10 weight rods are ideal for these beasts. Nine, ten, eleven and sometimes 12 weight rods are all excellent selections when fishing for large tarpon, Giant Snook, and large permit. These rods have the rigidity to handle larger fish.
It should be noted, that spending more money on a higher quality salt water fly rod is worth the money. Salt water is particularly hard on your gear. A premium fly rod designed for the saltwater are specifically made with stainless steel or titanium components to eliminate rust and corrosion. Of course, this increases the rods value. All it takes is one trip to the saltwater with a freshwater fly rod to learn this lesson the hard way!
