If you are a fan of fly fishing, then you would understand how important it is to have the perfect fly rod. Everyone wants a fly rod that performs well and brings the bigger fish right to you!
However, there is no denying that the process is incredibly hard. You can’t really go out and pick whichever rod you like! In fact, one needs to have a certain amount of knowledge and expertise on the matter, so they are able to pick out the perfect rod.
This is important as fly rods can come with a rather hefty price tag, and buying one that doesn’t work out for you is truly a wasteful purchase.
Therefore, we have the complete buyer’s guide to finding the perfect fly rod according to your skill level. This guide includes all the important information you need to buy the best fly rod and some incredible product recommendations.
To find out more about them, keep on reading!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Fly Rods For The Money
- OUR TOP PICK: Fenwick AETOS Fly Rods
- RUNNER-UP: Redington Classic Trout
- Echo Base Fly Rod
Comparison of the Best Fly Rods For The Money
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Can You Really Find a Quality Fly Rod That’s Affordable?
People, for some reason, seem to have the misconception that it isn’t possible to find a good quality fly rod that is affordable. Fly rods do have a reputation for being expensive as the more higher-end models can bear a pretty hefty price tag. The idea that the more money you spend, the better the product will be is prevalent among the masses. This idea has, therefore, forced them to steer clear of the more inexpensive options as people don’t think those are good enough. This couldn’t be more wrong!
There might’ve been a time when fly rods would be very expensive as only certain brands were making them, however, that isn’t the case anymore. Fortunately, there are a plethora of brands that have bought great competition on the market and compete to create a better product at a lower price. This has left us with some incredible options to choose from, making it possible to get a quality product that doesn’t break the bank.
What Should I Look For When Buying a Fly Rod?
You may be spooked out by the process of buying a fly rod on your own, and that is understandable. It seems difficult as there are measurements, materials, and whatnot that need to be taken into consideration. Therefore, we decided to list down the factors which need to be looked into when buying a fly rod:
Length and Weight
The two most common measurements that need to be taken under consideration are the length and the weight of the rod. You can find rods that range from 4 ft. to up to 12 ft. These will decide the kind of cast you perform. Generally, people use either an 8.5 or 9 ft. rod. Furthermore, as far as the weight is concerned, it is important to ensure that the fly rod you invest in has the fly line weight and fly rod weight.
Material
There are three different types of rod materials that are still being used widely. These are fiberglass, bamboo, and graphite. Each has its own advantage like graphite has accuracy, fiberglass is cheaper, and bamboo is the more conventional style. The intended usage needs to be considered prior to investing in either of these products.
Mode of Action
The rod you invest in should be according to the kind of action you invest. Thus, it’s important to look into whether the rod has a fast, moderate, or slow action. All of these are later discussed briefly.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
- Materials: The materials the rod is made of
. - Handle: The material and/or type of handle on the rod.
- Available Length(s): The length(s) this rod is available in.
- Available Power(s): Power refers to how much force it takes to bend the rod. These fall under the designations of ultra light/med-light/light/medium/med-heavy/heavy/etc.
- Available Action(s): The actions the rod is available in. This refers to where the rod flexes and includes slow/moderate/moderately-fast/fast/extra fast/ etc.
- Compatible Line Weights: The line weights the rod is compatible with. Number of Pieces: The number of pieces the rod breaks down into.
Review of the Best Fly Rods For The Money
Buying a fly rod is hard as it is already, and the great number of options available on the market has made it a little more difficult as it is simply hard to pick one. People are often intimidated by the hefty price tags some of these options carry and want to steer clear of any duds as that would be very wasteful. Therefore, we have some incredible best fly rod options, which we found to be the best for the money.
Let’s take a look at them:
Best Overall:
Fenwick AETOS Fly Rods
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very happy with this product. It carries a stylish deep blue design that enables it to have a gorgeous outlook. Plus, the AAA-grade cork provides a comfortable yet firm grip as well. The action blank ensures high-quality performance and improved recovery, whereas the dot alignment makes it easy and efficient to assemble.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Our interest in the product was sparked by a number of different reasons. The comfortable and firm grip provided by the AAA-grade cork is one of them. The travel-friendly nature makes the unit highly convenient for consumers. Plus, the stylish outlook and lightweight feel is another win.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is great for those of you who want to catch smaller sized fish as it wouldn’t be heavy enough for the big one. It is affordable, therefore, highly accessible to a larger audience. Furthermore, the unit has a 4-piece design, which enables it to be easy to travel with.
Bottom Line
All in all, this unit is a gem. It works incredibly well and features a very practical and stylish design. The outlook is stunning, but the performance is even better, which is why the product is a great investment. It is highly durable and reliable, as well. Plus, it carries features that make it ergonomic and comfortable.
Product Specs
Materials:
Nano Composite Technology
Handle:
Full Well AAA Grade Cork
Available Lengths:
6 ft, 6 ft 6 in, 7 ft, 8 ft, 8 ft 6 in, 9 ft, 10 ft, 11 ft 1 in
Available Action(s):
Medium Fast, Fast
Compatible Line Weights:
#3, #4
Number of Pieces:
4
Runner-up:
Redington Classic Trout
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are pleasantly surprised by the working of this unit. Most consumers found that it felt really high-end even though it was affordable and was able to cast like a dream. They also complimented how accurate and precise it was. All of this, combined with its reliability, enables it to be a user favorite product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit caught our attention with its practical and stylish design. Its design is minimalistic and looks very classy. Furthermore, it gives incredible precision and accuracy. Plus, it is highly reliable and durable, as well as features a lifetime warranty upon purchase.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is great for those of you who spend long days on the water as it features a lightweight blank and forgiving action that allows it to reduce fatigue. Furthermore, it has a 6-piece design, which allows it to be easy to travel with and incredibly portable.
Bottom Line
This is a gem of a product. There aren’t many like this on the market at this price range. It gives an incredible performance, which is comparable to more higher-end products. It takes into account factors like easy portability, durability, and a stylish outlook, which makes it a great investment.
Product Specs
Materials:
Graphite blank, rosewood reel seat insert, titanium oxide stripping guides
Handle:
Half Well Cork
Available Lengths:
7 ft 6 in / 8 ft / 8 ft 6in / 9 ft
Available Action(s):
Moderate
Compatible Line Weights:
#2 - #6
Number of Pieces:
4
3. Echo Base Fly Rod
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This product seemed to have swept the buyers off their feet with its incredible construction, stylish design, and inexpensive nature! There isn’t much to complain about this product, and the pros it carries largely outweigh the cons. It has a durable and reliable design, all of which enables it to be a consumer favorite product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are multiple reasons why this product stood out to us. Firstly, it features a very stylish design that has a translucent blue finish. Furthermore, it has black ionized reel seats, which ensures they don’t corrode by the effects of water bodies. Plus, the unit is travel-friendly as well.
Who Will Use This Most
This unit is one of the most affordable products you can get your hands on, which makes it highly accessible to a larger audience. Furthermore, it carries the Echo lifetime guaranty that enables it to be highly reliable and durable in the long run.
Bottom Line
All in all, this product is a hit. It seems to have impressed the consumers with its design and performance. The overall look and style of the unit are phenomenal as well. It takes comfort and high-quality performance both into consideration and works incredibly well. It truly is a worthy investment.
Product Specs
Materials:
Aluminum reel seat, chrome guides
Handle:
Full Well AAA Grade Cork
Available Lengths:
8 ft
Available Power(s):
Light
Available Action(s):
Medium Fast
Compatible Line Weights:
#4
Number of Pieces:
4
4. Tailwater Outfitters Toccoa Fly Rod
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very fond of this unit for multiple reasons. It features a stylish construction and performs incredibly well. It is constructed to be durable and has a fast mode of action. Even though some buyers found the rod to be a bit stiff, it wasn’t a deal-breaker in any way, and they appreciate it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The overall design, construction, and the performance this product gives enabled it to stand out from the rest of its counterparts. It features a machined reel seat with double locks, which secures the reel attachment firmly. Furthermore, the IM8 graphite construction enables it to be highly reliable and durable.
Who Will Use This Most
If you want a unit that is travel-friendly, this product would be the one for you. It features a 4-piece attachment, which ensures that it is easy to pack and travel with. Furthermore, it has a durable construction, which enables it to be durable. The half-well cork handle reduces fatigue and improves accuracy.
Bottom Line
This unit is the best overall on our list for a good reason. It features a well-thought-through construction, which ensures that it performs well, provides accuracy, and is ergonomic to use. Furthermore, the unit is durable and reliable as well, which enables it to be a great purchase.
Product Specs
Materials:
IM8 Graphite/Carbon Fiber
Handle:
Half Well Cork
Available Lengths:
8 ft 4 in
Available Power(s):
Medium
Available Action(s):
Fast
Compatible Line Weights:
#4
Number of Pieces:
4
5. Orvis Clearwater 4-weight, 9' Fly Rod Outfit
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are thoroughly impressed by the working of this unit. They found it to be incredibly well-built, classy looking, and stylish. The product did tend to lose accuracy with longer distances, but that is expected. Furthermore, the unit features an incredible warranty as well. All of these factors combined make it a consumer favorite product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit stands out to us for a number of different reasons. Firstly, it takes into account the ergonomics as well as the outlook of the design, which is something that is mostly found in higher-end products. The stylish design paired with the durable graphite construction and excellent quality cork handle work tremendously well.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is great for those of you looking for accuracy and sensitivity. It is highly responsive and reacts to even mild impulses. Furthermore, it has an incredible 25-year warranty, which ensures that it turns out to be a long-term investment. Plus, it has an excellent line on the control for nymphing and mending.
Bottom Line
Overall, the product is one of the best ones you can get your hands on. It surely combines all that one looks for in an ideal fly rod and executes phenomenal performance. It has an affordable price tag and features an incredible warranty as well. All of this makes the unit worthy of investment.
Product Specs
Materials:
Graphite, Aluminum reel seat
Handle:
Half Well Cork
Available Lengths:
9 ft
Available Action(s):
Medium Fast
Compatible Line Weights:
#4
Number of Pieces:
4
Types of Fly Rods
If you have been scanning through products, you may see that there is a variety among the types of fly rods available. There are multiple types of Fly Rods that have been divided according to either their material and mode of action. Thus, let’s first take a look at their classification according to material where each has its own pros and cons:
Bamboo
These are the most conventional and traditional types of rods. They tend to weigh more and are used for performing actions slowly. Their construction and design enable them to maintain their integrity and be durable and reliable.
Graphite
If your preference is accuracy and precision, then these rods are for you. These are largely popular now due to their lightweight construction when compared to the other materials of rods and their efficiency. They certainly aren’t the most natural feeling; however, it’s a small price to pay for the benefits received.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass rods are more on the durable and affordable side. They aren’t the go-to option for professionals as they don’t work as well as the others and aren’t as accurate but certainly are a treat for beginners.
Now, when it comes to the mode of action, fly rods can be divided into three types again. Let’s take a brief look at each type:
Fast Action
Rods with fast action are generally stiff and are utilized to produce faster speed lines. These come in handy when you want to perform longer casts.
Slow Action
These are the more entry-level rods fit for beginners, which are highly flexible. They produce a slower speed line and therefore are used when one has to perform smaller casts.
Medium Action
These are the most versatile out of the three. They bend about halfway to the handle and can work for both beginners and experienced people well.
Conclusion
For a lot of us, fly fishing isn’t just a sport or a hobby. In fact, it is a means of connecting with the elders of our house, to spend quality time and for some, it is a tradition which has been passed down the generations. Considering the fact, it is paid a lot of importance.
Fly fishing rods can certainly be hard to buy, especially if you don’t have enough knowledge about them. Therefore, it’s important to do your bit of research. Plus, it’s also important to acknowledge the intended use. The product you choose will largely depend upon how you intend to choose it, whether it is the material, length, weight, or mode of action of the product. All of it is a personal preference and depends upon the intended use.
Hopefully, this article was able to help you in finding the best quality product that fits your needs.
People Also Ask
Buying a Fly Rod can be a demanding task. It requires you to have the knowledge and involves certain technicalities. Therefore, the process of buying a fly rod can get very confusing for a lot of people. This is precisely the reason why we took your most frequently asked questions and answered them to give you better insight on the matter. Let’s take a look at them:
Are Echo Fly Rods Any Good?
Echo fly rods are great quality, mid-range units. They are well-built and perform incredibly well. They surely are a reliable option to opt for.
What Does Weight Mean in Fly Rods?
The weight of the fly rod is indicative of the size of the fishing line that is compatible with the rod.
What is the Best Fly Rod Weight for Trout?
When it comes to trout fishing, the universally acceptable weight of rod is 5 wt.
How Do I Choose a Fly Rod Length?
The fly rod length you choose would entirely depend upon the kind of casts you need to make. If you need to make long casts, then a 9 ft. rod length would be ideal. Meanwhile, for standard fly fishing, 8.5 ft is what is generally used, and for shorter casts and precise fishing, an 8 ft. length rod is considered great.
Can You Use a Fly Rod With a Spinning Reel?
It can surely be to your advantage, especially when the longer length of your fly rod provides a greater advantage to you. A very good example of it is when trout fishing with a worm, and for this purpose, you would want an ultra-light spincast reel.
