Who makes the best fly fishing rods?
If you are heading out to a stream it’s really important that you bring along a quality fly fishing rod. Checking out who makes the best fly fishing rods should always be your first step before buying a fly fishing rod and reel. A quality fly fishing rod is vital to ensure your trip doesn’t end prematurely due to a break in the rod or reel. I’ve had the misfortune of a long hike or trip to cast a few times only to have something go wrong with the rod. Luckily I’ve been able to fix my issues with a spare part, or a small twig in one extreme case. For me, a good quality rod is worth it. I’d rather spend more for quality, then to be cheap and worry that something will go wrong.
Why buy a Fly Fishing rod?
A fly fishing rod is best for moving bodies of water, like rivers and streams, where the fish you are targeting eats insects. In fly fishing the weight of the line carries the hook and fly in the air, since in fly fishing your lure will rest on the surface of the water if you are imitating mayflies, or other terrestrials like grasshoppers and ants. The fly will be carried toward you when you cast upstream. The fish in the water will see the fly on the surface and hopefully bite.
I’ve taken the time to review a lot of fly fish rods, from RL Winston, Sage, Orvis, Echo, and G. Loomis. There are plenty of fly fishing rod manufacturers. To narrow down the list I opted to focus on these 5. I know their focus on quality is unmatched. These rods are highly reviewed with many positive 5 star reviews.
What to look for in a fly fishing rod
How can you tell quality? To me I look at the manufacturer. I lay more trust in those American companies that have been around for a long time. In addition, looking at the rod I check for smoothness, how it feels in my hands etc. You should also know where you will be fishing, from saltwater to streams, and what type of fly you will be casting.
Spey rods are used for casting in overgrown river banks as the two handed grip allows for longer casts without the need for an overhead back cast. So if you are on sheer cliffs or thick brush, you should look into a nice Spey rod. We highlight a few below.
Sometimes you might want to invest in a single rod, but you aren’t sure if you will be in thick brush and need a Spey rod, or a more open area where casting might be efficient. In these scenarios you may want to look to a switch rod, one that can be used as a Spey rod or a casting rod.
The type of action is also something to consider. A fast action rod will be beneficial in high wind environments, or casting long distances with heavy flies. A slow action rod is going to be best for close quarter situations that need a deliberate cast, along with tight cover or narrow streams. A slow action rod also gives you a lot of sensitivity to feel those small bites.
Best Beginner Fly Rod Combo
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit and Reel
Orvis is a name I’ve come to trust over the years, from the gigantic dog beds that adorn each floor of our house, to the other outdoors items we’ve bought over the years. Orvis makes really high quality fly fishing rods and reels and this Orvis Clearwater fly rod outfit is no exception.
The Orvis Clearwater Rod and Reel Outfit is lightweight and affordable, which means it’s a great pick for a beginner, or even a more advanced angler that could use another rod for the boat. The Clearwater is built with Helios tapers and profiles, and the rod casts with power and precision, even into the wind. It even comes with an amazing Orvis backed 25 year guarantee, which should sway any nervous buyers.
This rod outfit comes with
- Clearwater 905-4 fly rod
- Clearwater II reel
- Clearwater 5-Weight fly line
- 100 yds. 20-lb Dacron Backing
- Rod Tube
Wild Water Fly Fishing Complete 5/6 Starter Package
Wild water is a US based company that has been in business since 2006. The company stands behind their products and offers a lifetime warranty.
The Wild Water Fly Fishing Complete Starter Package comes with a lot. The rod is a slow action, meaning you will feel the bites, and you will be able to make more accurate and gentle casts. This rod will be perfect for those smaller streams as well as those who prefer dry flies. The rod is made of IM8 Graphite, which is extremely strong and lightweight. It can be disassembled into 4 sections that are 28.75″ each, and will all fit in the rod sock and protective case. The rod also has a nice 7″ western-style grip made with high quality cork.
The package comes with a waterproof AND floating fly box that holds up to 372 flies, and includes a nice set of flies to get you started. The reel is diecast aluminum that comes preloaded with 20 point blaze orange backing, weight forward 3-weight floating fly line, and a 7.5′ 5X leader.
Overall this is another great starter kit that will last for many years.
Best Fast Action Fly Fishing Rod
Orvis Superfine Carbon Fly Rod
Sage Method Fly Rod
This beautiful Sage Method fly fishing rod is handcrafted on Bainbridge Island in the USA. This is an Ultra-fast action rod utilizing Konnectic Technology. The shafts is a beautiful Magma red with Pewter and Black trim wraps. This ultra-fast action rod helps punch through strong wind as well as to carry the biggest and bulkiest flies in your box.
Best Slow Action Fly Fishing Rod
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod Outfit
These slow action fly fishing rods are designed for the trout angler, with a redesign geared toward the overall look and feel of a tried-and-true design. This rod has a low to moderate action that really shines when you need to drop the smallest of flies on clear water without scaring the fish. Even with this delicate cast it still is strong enough to bring along on big river and boat outings.
Best Spey Fishing Rod and Reel
G. Loomis Asquith Spey Rod
This G Loomis Asquith is touted as being the most technologically advanced fly rod in the world. It was designed by the world casting champion Steve Rajeff. Built on Shimano’s Spiral X platform, the Asquith has amazing power transfer from tip to hand. The rod has an extremely light swing weight, which means it thrives in situations that require high line speed and accurate casts.
Best Switch Fly Fishing Rod
Echo SR Fly Rod
This Echo SR Fly rod gives you the option to fish Spey style or Spinning, so you decide what will work best at your fishing spot. This is a fast action rod, that comes with two grip styles, and breaks down into 4 pieces to easily pack up when on the move.
Best Saltwater Fly Fishing Rod
Sage Salt HD Fly Rod
You can’t go wrong with Sage. They are priced high, but the quality is unmatched, and when you evaluate what you get, you start to understand that you get what you pay for, and that is a top of the line rod and reel that will last a lifetime. This particular Sage, the Sage Salt HD won the 2017 ICAST Best Saltwater Fly Rod, and Best of show. This is the finest high-performance saltwater fly rod available today.