The Greatest Fly Fishing Rods of 2024

One of the best fly fishing rods are timeless items of apparatus. With easy care and protected storage, they will final a lifetime or extra. But the expertise retains enhancing, 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 search out the very best 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 obtained the very best fly fishing rods she might discover (and some not-so-great sticks) and fished in mountain streams, brutally chilly waters, tropical paradises, and even lakes full of 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 crew has possible 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 very best underwater fare. Whether or not you’re in search of the general efficiency of the Orvis Helios D or a budget-friendly possibility just like the Orvis Clearwater, we’ve got you lined.

To be taught the variations between designs and the way we examined them, take a look at the Purchaser’s Information, Comparability Chart, and Worth & Worth part on the finish of this text.

Editor’s Word: We revealed a totally revised model of this information on November 11, 2024, by including all new merchandise, a recent purchaser’s information, and a value 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 fascinating, gratifying, and surprisingly tough activity. Most individuals make use of one or two types of fly fishing after which stick with that area of interest. In terms of testing all calibers of fly fishing in a plethora of environments, it actually does require a crew to pack their luggage and get rods to waters throughout the globe.

Fortuitously, we’ve got such a crew. Over the previous yr, we’ve had the pleasure to land some unbelievable fish, miss some fish-story-worthy monsters, and break quite a lot of rods, sadly.

We’ve caught every part 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 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 completed a complete lot of fishing this yr and hope we are able to say the identical for the following. Determining which rod setups go well with our pursuits finest 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 numerous in its instruments and strategies, and guaranteeing we’ve got the abilities required to totally take a look at the very best of the very best is an ever-evolving follow.

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 types and experiences at our helm. Rob Simpson and Ben Hickok contributed their experience to the 2024 model of this information as effectively.

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

Our mixed fishing expertise includes every part from hooking up panfish, bass, grayling, tiger trout, cuts, and goldens to kokanee, sockeye, steelhead, and extra. Mixed, our crew has examined tons of if not hundreds of sport fishing merchandise and has the experience and expertise that will help you choose the very best gear for almost any talent degree, fly fishing scenario, and finances.

When you’re out there for different fishing gear, we’ve got you lined. 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 gives an angler a stability of leisure and challenges, however selecting the very best fly fishing rod can really feel lower than enjoyable and provide an undesirable problem. Whether or not you might be new to fishing or an skilled angler, choosing the proper fly fishing rod in your supposed use can have a large influence in your success as an angler and the way a lot you get pleasure from fly fishing. We’ve completed our greatest to distill the important thing issues when searching for a fly fishing rod, together with rod weight, size, materials, and motion, that will help you make an knowledgeable resolution.

Fly Fishing Rod Size

Quick Rods (6 – 8 Ft)

Shorter rods are normally within the 6 to 8-foot vary and are finest for tight, brushy streams the place house is restricted and casting might be tough. One instance is the Redington Butter Stick (7 to eight ft), which requires abilities for casting effectively and might not be finest for inexperienced persons.

Medium Rods (8 – 9.5 Ft)

A medium rod size, typically 8 to 9 and a half ft, is essentially the most versatile and most typical size of rod. They’re appropriate for a variety of fishing situations, and customarily provide an excellent stability of casting distance and management. Some just like the Orvis Helios D Fly Rods are available in vary of lengths, together with medium to lengthy. Others, just like the Bozeman Flyworks Gold Customary solely are available in one size.

Lengthy Rods (9.5+ Ft)

Lengthy rods in extra of 9 and a half and 10 ft are perfect for fishing bigger rivers, lakes, and saltwater flats. They’re the only option for locations the place you should make longer and extra highly effective casts.

Fly Fishing Rod Weight

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

1 to 4 Wt

These weights are nice for small streams and delivering delicate displays 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 big vary. When you keep on with the smaller weight, you’ll wish to keep on with smaller streams.

5/6 Wt

This can be a widespread candy spot for weights and a fantastic 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 a fantastic stability 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 finest fitted 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 spread 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 building of a rod. Motion is known as a spread from gradual to quick, and customarily refers to how a lot the rod bends, and extra particularly the place it bends, when casting and underneath the load of combating 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 gradual motion gives a higher quantity of bending throughout the complete rod, which means the tip of the rod travels a higher distance.

Quick Motion

Typically, a sooner motion gives 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 aware of your actions, permitting you to react shortly and set a hook.

Medium Motion

A medium motion rod, just like the Orvis Clearwater Outfit, gives a fantastic stability of energy and adaptability, 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.

Gradual Motion

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

Fly Fishing Rod Supplies

Fly rods are normally constituted of fiberglass, bamboo, or graphite(carbon fiber). The completely different supplies provide completely different advantages and downsides, and a few variations are so delicate 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 also be a misnomer. You clearly wouldn’t make a rod out of that. Carbon fiber, which we’ll proceed to name graphite, gives nice power, sturdiness, and lighter weight than each fiberglass and bamboo.

Graphite rods are mild weight and very robust. Which means that even longer rods are nonetheless mild and simple 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 power of a graphite rod additionally makes them a sensible choice if you fish heavy nymphs, greater streamers, and heavier dry dropper rigs.

Fiberglass

Inexpensive however heavier than graphite, fiberglass gives a unique really feel with slower motion, making it an excellent possibility for small stream fishing and making delicate displays. Extra trendy fiberglass rods might be constructed with completely different actions, however the place a sooner motion and a lighter rod are involved, graphite is usually a better option for many.

Bamboo

The pure flexibility of bamboo gives a easy motion and sensitivity that different composite supplies lack. That sensitivity permits you to really feel each side of fishing, from the burden of a fish on the road to fly presentation and a novel 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 a couple of drawbacks to bamboo rods. They’re normally heavier than trendy 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 Issues

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 normally 4 items and are widespread for his or her portability, whereas one or two-piece rods might provide barely higher dealing with and efficiency because 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 sometimes constituted of cork and have comparable contours from rod to rod, however one deal with might suit your hand barely higher than one other, and it’s value dealing with a couple of rods, so you recognize what to anticipate from completely different rods and types.

We’ve typically centered on the most common 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 stability with the burden of the pole forward of your hand. Nevertheless, some rods, like two-handed, change, and spey rods, provide extra handles beneath the reel in order that two fingers can be utilized for longer, stronger casting of heavier strains and flies, used when focusing on a lot greater fish.

Tenkara

Tenkara rods are a particular beast on this planet of fly fishing, and a complete article must be centered on this particular type of fishing and the gear concerned. In brief, it’s a enjoyable fly fishing type that always 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 finest for constructing a fly fishing expertise. The dearth of a reel additionally makes it onerous or unimaginable to make lengthy casts, in addition to to focus on giant fish. The road drag produced by a reel helps to combat a big fish, whereas the size, motion, and weight of a tenkara rod are completely used to combat fish. Giant fish and breaking strains 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 sometimes fairly lengthy, 12 and 13 ft 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 completely different really feel of supplies, creates a plethora of traits that distinguish comparable rods from each other. It could take loads of years fishing on completely different rods to actually dial in your favourite weight, measurement, and motion. The truth is that you simply’ll possible find yourself with a couple of rod and use the rod that finest matches the fishing you do with it. 

Whereas there is no such thing as a Goldilocks of fly fishing rods, and one rod can’t fairly do every part, there’s a candy spot that gives nice flexibility and might deal with most traditional fly fishing conditions effectively.  That typically 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 might contemplate a 6 weight, as it may possibly nonetheless be delicate sufficient for dealing with a dry fly and extra delicate displays however nonetheless present sufficient energy to show over heavier streamers. It’s finally a selection that is dependent upon your supposed use and choice, 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 value. Novices can discover nice worth in rod reel combos underneath $400 and even $300, whereas extra superior customers will be capable of respect higher dealing with and really feel from higher-end rods that may simply exceed a thousand {dollars}. The variations to a newbie might not be 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.

Regularly Requested Questions