The Greatest Fly Fishing Rods of 2024

The most effective fly fishing rods are timeless items of kit. With easy care and secure storage, they will final a lifetime or extra. But the expertise retains bettering, rods have gotten extra refined, and there’s at all times that one rod you’d like so as to add to your quiver.

In our annual hunt to seek out the perfect fly rods available on the market, we took to the water, went to a pile of commerce reveals, requested guides, and scoured the web for hidden gems. GearJunkie Hunt and Fish Editor Rachelle Schrute bought the perfect fly fishing rods she may discover (and some not-so-great sticks) and fished in mountain streams, brutally chilly waters, tropical paradises, and even lakes crammed with prehistoric monsters.

We tried all of them, from heavy-duty broomsticks used to chase salty evaders to the lightest, clever finesse sticks used to completely emulate a model new emerger.

The GearJunkie staff has probably fished extra days and in additional situations than we ever have this yr, and we’ve discovered the rods that tickle our fancy and entice the perfect underwater fare. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the general efficiency of the Orvis Helios D or a budget-friendly choice just like the Orvis Clearwater, we have now you coated.

To study the variations between designs and the way we examined them, try the Purchaser’s Information, Comparability Chart, and Worth & Worth part on the finish of this text.

Editor’s Word: We printed a very revised model of this information on November 11, 2024, by including all new merchandise, a contemporary purchaser’s information, and a worth and worth part.

The Greatest Fly Fishing Rods of 2024

Fly Fishing Rods Comparability Chart

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How We Examined the Greatest Fly Fishing Rods

Our Testing Course of & Grounds

Testing fly rods is a very attention-grabbing, pleasing, and surprisingly troublesome activity. Most individuals make use of one or two kinds of fly fishing after which keep on with that area of interest. In relation to testing all calibers of fly fishing in a plethora of environments, it actually does require a staff to pack their baggage and get rods to waters throughout the globe.

Luckily, we have now such a staff. Over the previous yr, we’ve had the pleasure to land some unbelievable fish, miss some fish-story-worthy monsters, and break various rods, sadly.

We’ve caught all the pieces from tarpon to pike, bass to trout, allow to redfish on a fly line, and we’ve had a complete lot of enjoyable doing it.

Whether or not wading by way of river currents, casting from the again of a drift boat, sending streamers from a paddle board, or kayaking into the nooks and crannies to get to these fish hidden away within the shadows, we’ve achieved a complete lot of fishing this yr and hope we are able to say the identical for the following. Determining which rod setups swimsuit our pursuits greatest has been an absolute blast.

Our Professional Testers

Our Hunt & Fish Editor, Rachelle Schrute, examined fly rods in Montana’s mountain streams, the tropics off Florida’s coast, Iceland’s icy waters, and a dozen different locations for a dozen different chases.

Rising up a small-stream dry fly fisherman, the problem of increasing to new territories to check new rods has been a welcome one. Fly fishing is so various in its instruments and strategies, and guaranteeing we have now the talents required to completely take a look at the perfect of the perfect is an ever-evolving apply.

With fishermen/gear testers similar to Harry Spampinato, who travels the world chasing tropical beasts, and Sean Jansen, who typically finds himself sending dry flies in Yellowstone Nationwide Park days earlier than dipping a line in salt as he paddles his technique to Baja, we actually have a plethora of kinds and experiences at our helm. Rob Simpson and Ben Hickok contributed their experience to the 2024 model of this information as nicely.

Our GearJunkie fly fishing staff of editors, gear testers, and contributors has been fishing for many years, utilizing a variety of fly rods, reels, fly traces, flies, waders, fishing packs, and different gear in an equally wide selection of fishing situations, from lakes to raging rivers to small mountain streams.

Our mixed fishing expertise includes all the pieces from hooking up panfish, bass, grayling, tiger trout, cuts, and goldens to kokanee, sockeye, steelhead, and extra. Mixed, our staff has examined lots of if not 1000’s of sport fishing merchandise and has the experience and expertise that can assist you choose the perfect gear for nearly any talent degree, fly fishing scenario, and finances.

For those who’re available in the market for different fishing gear, we have now you coated. Take a look at our guides to the Greatest Fishing Waders, Fishing Hats, and Fishing Sun shades.

Purchaser’s Information: How To Select the Greatest Fly Fishing Rods

Fly fishing provides an angler a steadiness of leisure and challenges, however selecting the perfect fly fishing rod can really feel lower than stress-free and provide an undesirable problem. Whether or not you’re new to fishing or an skilled angler, choosing the proper fly fishing rod on your supposed use may have an enormous affect in your success as an angler and the way a lot you take pleasure in fly fishing. We’ve achieved our greatest to distill the important thing concerns when searching for a fly fishing rod, together with rod weight, size, materials, and motion, that can assist you make an knowledgeable determination.

Fly Fishing Rod Size

Brief Rods (6 – 8 Ft)

Shorter rods are often within the 6 to 8-foot vary and are greatest for tight, brushy streams the place area is restricted and casting might be troublesome. One instance is the Redington Butter Stick (7 to eight toes), which requires expertise for casting effectively and is probably not greatest for inexperienced persons.

Medium Rods (8 – 9.5 Ft)

A medium rod size, usually 8 to 9 and a half toes, is probably the most versatile and commonest size of rod. They’re appropriate for a variety of fishing situations, and usually provide steadiness of casting distance and management. Some just like the Orvis Helios D Fly Rods are available vary of lengths, together with medium to lengthy. Others, just like the Bozeman Flyworks Gold Commonplace solely are available one size.

Lengthy Rods (9.5+ Ft)

Lengthy rods in extra of 9 and a half and 10 toes are perfect for fishing bigger rivers, lakes, and saltwater flats. They’re your best option for locations the place it’s worthwhile to make longer and extra highly effective casts.

Fly Fishing Rod Weight

The burden of the rod corresponds to the burden of the fly line it’s designed to forged. Fly rods usually vary from 1 to 14 weight, with decrease numbers appropriate for smaller fish and lighter traces, and better numbers designed for bigger fish and heavier traces.

1 to 4 Wt

These weights are nice for small streams and delivering delicate shows on lighter line weights. They’re an ideal selection for small trout, panfish, and different small fish species. The Orvis Clearwater Outfit is available in weights of two to 12, which is a large vary. For those who follow the smaller weight, you’ll need to follow smaller streams.

5/6 Wt

It is a widespread candy spot for weights and an excellent beginning place for any new angler, as these weights provide versatility and are appropriate for a variety of freshwater fishing. 5 and 6-weight rods provide an excellent steadiness of delicacy and energy, making them glorious for trout, bass, and bigger panfish.

7 to 9 Wt

These weights are for bigger freshwater species and lightweight saltwater fishing and are greatest suited to bass, pike, and steelhead. They will higher deal with heavier flies, massive streamers, and windy situations than 5 and 6-weight rods. The Sage R8 CORE is available in a variety of weights (3-9wt), however we most popular the 9-foot, 8wt in cases the place we would have liked distinctive energy and precision.

10+ Wt

These weights are considerably specialty, supposed for heavy-duty rods meant for giant saltwater species like tarpon, tuna, and sailfish. These heavy weight rods can deal with bigger flies and the heavier line wanted to land greater fish.

Fly Fishing Rod Motion

The motion of a fly rod is closely depending on the burden, energy, and development of a rod. Motion is known as a variety from sluggish to quick, and usually refers to how a lot the rod bends, and extra particularly the place it bends, when casting and beneath the load of preventing a fish, or selecting up a heavy fly.

A quick motion rod bends little or no within the majority of the rod extending away out of your hand, and does most of its bending close to the tip. A sluggish motion provides a higher quantity of bending throughout the complete rod, which means the tip of the rod travels a higher distance.

Quick Motion

Usually, a quicker motion provides faster, stronger casting, and is especially good for longer-distance casting and windy fishing situations. It additionally makes selecting up streamers and heavier flies a lot simpler, whereas a slower motion might be too spongy to raise a heavy fly. Quick-action rods, just like the Orvis Helios D Fly Rods, are additionally extra conscious of your actions, permitting you to react rapidly and set a hook.

Medium Motion

A medium motion rod, just like the Orvis Clearwater Outfit, provides an excellent steadiness of energy and suppleness, making it versatile sufficient to deal with a variety of fishing conditions. Could rods just like the Redington Path II fall into the medium-fast motion class.

Sluggish Motion

A sluggish motion supplies for extra delicate shows and is right for small streams, however the sponginess makes it harder to react rapidly and do issues quick actions can do higher, like rapidly setting a hook or selecting up and rapidly casting streamers and heavier flies. We haven’t included any sluggish motion rods on this checklist but.

Fly Fishing Rod Supplies

Fly rods are often created from fiberglass, bamboo, or graphite(carbon fiber). The totally different supplies provide totally different advantages and downsides, and a few variations are so refined that they’re higher suited to consultants.

Graphite (Carbon Fiber)

Whereas we name them ‘graphite’ rods, the time period is a little bit of a misnomer, as they’re truly carbon fiber and never graphite. Graphite alone is a crystalline materials and brittle by itself. Take into account how simply a mechanical pencil lead breaks, which sarcastically can be a misnomer. You clearly wouldn’t make a rod out of that. Carbon fiber, which we’ll proceed to name graphite, provides nice energy, sturdiness, and lighter weight than each fiberglass and bamboo.

Graphite rods are gentle weight and intensely robust. Which means even longer rods are nonetheless gentle and straightforward to deal with with out fatigue when fishing all day. Graphite tenkara rods, just like the Beartooth Co. Tenkara Rod, are additionally nice for carrying into the backcountry or on backpacking journeys. The energy of a graphite rod additionally makes them a good selection once you fish heavy nymphs, greater streamers, and heavier dry dropper rigs.

Fiberglass

Inexpensive however heavier than graphite, fiberglass provides a special really feel with slower motion, making it choice for small stream fishing and making delicate shows. Extra fashionable fiberglass rods might be constructed with totally different actions, however the place a quicker motion and a lighter rod are involved, graphite is usually a better option for many.

Bamboo

The pure flexibility of bamboo provides a easy motion and sensitivity that different composite supplies lack. That sensitivity means that you can really feel each facet of fishing, from the burden of a fish on the road to fly presentation and a singular really feel when casting. Until the standard look and the distinctive really feel of a bamboo rod are excessive in your precedence checklist, there are just a few drawbacks to bamboo rods. They’re often heavier than fashionable composites, a pleasant bamboo rod might be prohibitively costly as they’re handcrafted by consultants, and bamboo rods require a higher quantity of upkeep, like cleansing, and oiling, along with extra delicate dealing with that composites don’t require. 

Different Concerns

Packing and Rod Items

Fly rods come in numerous configurations, from one-piece to multi-piece designs. Multi-piece rods just like the Redington Path II are often 4 items and are widespread for his or her portability, whereas one or two-piece rods could provide barely higher dealing with and efficiency on account of fewer connection factors, giving them a extra steady bending motion.

Rod Deal with and Reel Seat

The deal with or grip of a fly rod is important for consolation and management. Handles are usually created from cork and have comparable contours from rod to rod, however one deal with could suit your hand barely higher than one other, and it’s value dealing with just a few rods, so you recognize what to anticipate from totally different rods and types.

We’ve usually centered on the commonest freshwater and saltwater fly rods meant for many sport fishing, the place the reel mounts on the reel seat on the rear of the rod and creates steadiness with the burden of the pole forward of your hand. Nonetheless, some rods, like two-handed, change, and spey rods, provide extra handles beneath the reel in order that two arms can be utilized for longer, stronger casting of heavier traces and flies, used when focusing on a lot greater fish.

Tenkara

Tenkara rods are a particular beast on the planet of fly fishing, and a complete article must be centered on this particular model of fishing and the gear concerned. In brief, it’s a enjoyable fly fishing model that usually makes use of very lengthy medium-action rods and no reel. Whereas the rods collapse and are very versatile, a conventional 9 foot 5 weight fly rod with a reel is greatest for constructing a fly fishing expertise. The dearth of a reel additionally makes it arduous or inconceivable to make lengthy casts, in addition to to focus on giant fish. The road drag produced by a reel helps to battle a big fish, whereas the size, motion, and weight of a tenkara rod are solely used to battle fish. Massive fish and breaking traces can truly harm tenkara rods, whereas conventional fly fishing setups are extra succesful and forgiving for bigger fish and a variety of fishing. Tenkara rods are additionally usually fairly lengthy, 12 and 13 toes and a typical 9-foot fly rod might be simpler to handle usually.

Private Desire

The overlap of phrases like weight and motion, in addition to the results they’ve together with rod lengths and the totally different really feel of supplies, creates a plethora of traits that distinguish comparable rods from each other. It could take numerous years fishing on totally different rods to actually dial in your favourite weight, measurement, and motion. The truth is that you simply’ll probably find yourself with a couple of rod and use the rod that greatest matches the fishing you do with it. 

Whereas there isn’t any Goldilocks of fly fishing rods, and one rod can’t fairly do all the pieces, there’s a candy spot that provides nice flexibility and may deal with most conventional fly fishing conditions nicely.  That usually agreed upon candy spot is a 5-weight, graphite, 9 foot to 9 foot 6 inches, medium or medium-fast motion rod. Somebody focusing on greater fish could take into account a 6 weight, as it may possibly nonetheless be delicate sufficient for dealing with a dry fly and extra delicate shows however nonetheless present sufficient energy to show over heavier streamers. It’s in the end a selection that will depend on your supposed use and desire, whereas our private go-to is a 4-piece, 9-foot, 5-weight, quick motion just like the Orvis Helios D Fly Rod.   

Worth & Worth

A fly rod can vary dramatically in worth. Learners can discover nice worth in rod reel combos beneath $400 and even $300, whereas extra superior customers will have the ability to admire higher dealing with and really feel from higher-end rods that may simply exceed a thousand {dollars}. The variations to a newbie is probably not obvious, and subsequently, spending extra isn’t at all times the most suitable choice, which is why we included some finances choices just like the Redington Path II and the Orvis Clearwater. Check out our suggestions and award winners for a good suggestion of the place to get began.

Often Requested Questions