Last Updated on August 12, 2024 by Afsar

Are you looking for the best fly fishing rods? Unlike, regular fishing styles, fly fishing is different, and requires a different type of fishing rod. It is not possible to just use any rod for fly fishing. Fly rods are meticulously created to be able to cast precisely while making it easier to catch fish on streams. Fly fishing is a popular angling method used by many anglers. In fly fishing, you will use an artificial fly to catch fish. Fly fishing is fun when you have the proper gear for it. By having the best fly fishing rods, you may be able to maximize your fishing experience. Fly fishing requires using different types of rods. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and a specialized weighted line. Today we are going to share some of the best fly fishing rods with you.

Best Fly Rods 2024

10 Best Fly Rods Review

Orvis Encounter Complete Outfit

Best for: Young anglers, newbies, people looking for a solid fly rod that is priced reasonably

Fancy owning a fly fishing outfit that won’t break the bank? You need to check the Orvis Encounter, a high-quality four-piece rod that is easy to break down and store. Orvis Encounter is mainly used by young anglers or people who are new to fly fishing. Cabelas called this the ideal first outfit for beginner fly anglers, and we agree with that. In our experience, we found its performance to be crisp and smooth. Right off the bat, we loved its performance.

If you want to get an advanced design on a fly rod, you are looking at very high prices, but Orvis has managed to provide this fly rod at a reasonable price.

I have found this fly rod to be used best for trout, light bass, and other small fishes in shallow/smaller water. Orvis Encounter Complete Outfit comes with a large arbor encounter reel, weight-forward floating line, backing, and leader. Thanks to the smooth finish and great performance, one may even call it a cheap fly angler.

---

Moonshine Rod Co. The Drifter Series

The fly fishing rods of the Drifter series from the Moonshine Rod Company are a massive hit among serious fly fishers. In this series, you will find similar types of fishing rods with some minor variations. However, this is a four-piece rod with a hard canvas case and an extra tip section. This high-performance medium-action rod is made of graphite. It’s stiff enough to let you do long casts and soft enough to let you reel in the fishes. Moonshine rod company used high-grade AAA cork grips with burlend ends and Spalted Burl Reel seats. Also, the copper anodized hardware is used from the reel seat to the tip-top.

The price of this excellent fly fishing rod may seem high, but when you consider the durability and features, it doesn’t sound that expensive. I would say that this is an affordable fly rod with premium quality materials. No matter your skill level, the casting should be easy. Visit the product page to check different sizes and actions.

---

Maxcatch Explorer Graphite – Fly Fishing Rod

Made of IM6 24T carbon fiber blank, this fly fishing rod is available in five different sizes. Maxcatch used A-Helical taper slim blank technology in this rod to make it lightweight, but with excellent line control. The design of this fly fishing rod ensures a better grip for better casting. You can cast with a powerful medium-fast action with excellent accuracy.

The light & durable reel seat in airspace graded 6061T aluminum is a plus point for this fly fishing rod. The steel snake is made of super-hard chrome stainless steel. Maxcatch is famous for its fly fishing gears, and this is no exception. With premium-quality materials, this is one of the best fly fishing rods you can find on the market.

---

Redington Fly Fishing Combo Kit

If you are thinking about buying a fly fishing combo kit for sale, you need to check Redington’s Fly fishing combo kit. There are seven different sizes of rod combo that you can buy. There are all water and medium-fast action rod with an anodized machined aluminum reel seat, making it great for all types of water conditions. Crosswater is a great graphite fly fishing rod for new fly anglers. Both 2-piece and 4-piece models are great for high portability. There is also the option to buy a single rod or complete outfits to make it easy to start fly fishing.

Redington strategically placed dots on the rod for easy rod setup. Additionally, the rod comes with a cotton rod sock. The combo includes a Crosswater rod, Crosswater reel pre-spooled with Rio mainstream wf fly line, and Cordura rod tube.

---

Tailwater Outfitters Toccoa Fly Rod: High Performance 4 Piece

Finding a good fly rod under 100 bucks can be challenging for most anglers. You can find some cheap models, but most of them will have poor configurations. Fear not, tailwater’s Toccoa fly rod is here to the rescue. This fast-action fly rod built with IM8 graphite offers excellent durability with great features. The four-piece construction makes it a travel-friendly fly rod. The alignment dots also help you set up quickly and easily.

It comes with ceramic stripping guides and chrome snake guides for a smoother gliding fly line. It is available in three different sizes: 3 weight, 5 weight, and 8 weight. The machined aluminum reel seat with the double lock comes in handy for sturdy reel attachment. The half-well cork handle ensures reduced fatigue with better casting accuracy. What’s more, it comes with a four-compartment rod tube for easy portability.

Overall, the best fly rods with reasonable cost.

---

Redington Vice Fly Rod w/ Tube

As they’ve already proven themselves time and time again with their amazing fly fishing gears, Redington certainly knows how to build fantastic fly rods. Redington Vice comes in different colors and sizes. With the anodized machined model reel seat, this fly rod from Redington becomes ideal for all water conditions.

Laser-etched model reference can be found on the reel seat which offers fairly easy rod identification. This classically styled rod has fast action which can be used for all most all anglers. You will find a durable Cordura rod tube with built-in rod dividers. The multi-modulus carbon fiber blanks ensure increased levels of recovery for casting with high accuracy and control. One of the best Redington fly rods ever built.

Great value for the price

---

Piscifun® Graphite Fly Fishing Rod

Another budget-friendly fly fishing rod. Piscifun makes this fly fishing rod. It provides great smooth-loading performance. Usually, a goof fly fish would cost you more than $500 but not this one. This is a moderate/fast action fly rod.

This fly rod has a powerful butt section which provides the necessary backbone for casting in long-distance The advanced ceramic ring stripping guides will reduce the friction and heat also. The chromed stainless steel snake guides give corrosion resistance. Although this fly rod is cheap, it is aesthetically beautiful also.

Best Cheap fly fishing rod

---

Redington Classic Trout Fly Fishing Rod

Redington is a popular manufacturer of fly fishing products. Redington classic trout fly fishing rod is a moderate action rod for freshwater usage. Like other Redington products, this fly rod also has remarkable durability. The custom machined reel seat components are fantastic. This fly fish rod is suitable for technical spring creeks, and boat fishing and is even powerful to be used in a big river. Note that; it has a low weight also. Great fly fishing rod for both newbies and professionals.

---

Maxcatch Explorer Fly Rod Graphite 4-Piece Fly Fishing Rod

This is a medium-fast action fly fishing rod that comes in five different sizes and weights. This 4-piece fly fishing rod provides easy assembling and storing. Made of an A-grade cork grip and full-well handle, it is quite easy to cast. An excellent fly fishing rod will cost you a lot, but this inexpensive fly fishing rod is there if you don’t want to spend a lot.

This is a great fly fishing rod for backpacking, hiking, or kayak tours. The craftsmanship of this fly fish rod is fantastic. What’s more, the effectiveness of this fly fishing rod is good too. It may not be the best in the market, but it will surely do amazing stuff for you.

Best Cheap Fly Fishing Rod

---

Florida Keys Bonefish 890-4 Fly Road by Leland Rod Company

Up for bonefish? This is one of the best fly rods for bonefish. Made of good materials and components, this fly rod has very high durability. This fly rod offers excellent stability, balance, and efficiency while casting to the fly line. The high-quality aluminum rod tube with rod sock is exquisite. Its amazing and unique ability to comfortably load at near casting distances makes it easy to catch bonefish.

Note that this is a four-piece gear that is fantastic to move and use on backpack or kayaking tours. The saltwater compatible safe components make this fly rod to use in saltwater also.

Fly fish rod for bonefish

---

G Loomis PRO 4X Trout Freshwater/Saltwater Fly Fishing Rods

This is an ideal fly fishing rod that can be used by anglers at any experience level. This is specially designed for trout fishing n freshwater or saltwater. Unlike most casual fly rods, this one has precise casting and recovers quickly. Controlling the lines, maneuvering, and drifting are much more comfortable because of the lightweight design. You can choose several sizes of this fly fishing rod. The beautiful design of this fly rod makes it very user-friendly and useful.

---

Sage Approach 590-4 Fly Rod Outfit w/Sage 2250 Reel (9’0″, 5wt, 4pc)

Sage Approach 590-4 Fly rod is a medium-fast action fly fishing rod. It is one of my favorite premium fly fishing rods available in the market. If you are serious about fly fishing and want to do better, then this one would be a good option for you.

What’s more, this fly fish rod comes with a lifetime warranty (read their TOS for more details). You will get the sage rod and reel case in this package. It is loaded with premium RIO Gold WF Floating line, RIO Dacron Backing, and RIO Tapered leader.

This easy to cast and medium-fast action line feel, responsiveness, and control make it a solid fly rod.  Great fly rod for the beginner, intermediate and seasoned anglers. The material used for the fly rod is splendid, and the craftsmanship ensures better durability and functionality.

Best Fly Fishing Rod interms of value and price

Notable Features

• Easy to cast
• For beginner to seasoned anglers
• High durability
• High effectiveness
• Lifetime warranty (see TOS for details)
• Loaded with premium RIO Gold WF Floating line, RIO Dacron Backing, and RIO Tapered leader

---

How to choose the best fly rods?

Of the many things that fly rods are known for, controlling the direction of the line, as well as its distance, are probably the two most significant. Compared to other fishing rods, these rods come with a different mechanism of operation. They use weighted lines to hoist the cast in place of the lure and thus give the user more control of the fishing process. Fly rods are crucial in determining the kind of fishing you do, and performance is a critical feature that distinguishes one fly rod from the next. In the market, you can find rods of different types and sizes that fit the different applications.

In general, a given size of the rod is designed to operate with a specific weight of the line. There are 4-weight rods for 4-weight lines for instance just as there are 12-weight rods for 12-weight lines. Comparatively, the difference in weight is less significant as the scale goes higher and higher. The heaviest lines require the sturdiest rods in order to operate well.

If you are an avid fisherman, have you ever pondered on how to find the best fly rod? There are several issues to consider when choosing a fly rod. Here’s how to choose the best fly rod:

Understand the Action

Every rod flexes to a certain degree when put under pressure before it recovers. It is this behavior of flexing and recovering which is known as the action. Just like the stiffness and size of rods differ, so does the action. Some rods tend to flex slightly in the mid-section while others only flex at the tip. Other rods indeed do flex all the way from the tip to the other end. The action of the rod is a crucial determinant of performance.

Fast action rods that only flex at the tip are great for casting longer distances. This characteristic also makes them good for fishing during uneasy conditions. The effort required to use this kind of fly rod is also much less compared to more flexible rods. While these characteristics are good for experienced anglers, they might not be particularly good for beginners. Beginners need to use slow-action fly rods which permit them to enjoy unhindered light fishing. Since slow-action rods are also very flexible, they are best for fishing smaller species of fish. The action is thus very critical when looking for the best fly rod.

Go For the Right Weight

Both the fly rod and line come at different weights. As mentioned before, the general rule when choosing the best fly rod is to match it up to the weight of the line. The basic construction of the fly system is in such a way that both the line and rod are optimized for precision and control. The two parts work as a unit and enhance the practicality of the whole system. If you mismatch the weight of these two, therefore, your fishing experience will be negatively impacted.

The weight is measured from the lightest unit of 1 to the heaviest unit 14 and above. A weight 7 line, for instance, should be matched with a weight 7 rod to achieve the required balance.

When it comes to the suitability of each weight, the smaller weights are best for fishing small fish species. Medium weights are good for average-sized fish while weights 10 and above are best for large saltwater fish.

The weights of rods are classified into several different groups which you should familiarize yourself with when buying a rod. These weights are standard even for different manufacturers; therefore it is not a challenge when matching up different rods and lines.

Choose an Appropriate Length

The length of a fly rod is important when it comes to precision and accuracy. In situations where you want to cast the line in specific spots, shorter rods are greatly convenient. Creeks and narrow rivers filled with obstacles can prove to be very challenging for any angler. An adaptable short rod is thus needed to ease the difficulty of fishing.

While such rods are helpful for casting and reeling in fish, it is important to know that they can only be used for smaller fish as they are not powerful as long rods.

Longer rods are best when it comes to fishing bigger species. For conditions that are more tolerable, longer rods can also allow you to cast your line at longer distances. It is thus important to keep in mind the conditions of the surrounding you will be fishing in when choosing an appropriate fly rod length. On average, rod lengths range from 6 feet to 10 feet.

Build and Material Considerations

The construction of a rod is usually one of the marginal things you can consider when you want maximum performance. When in the market for rods, you will generally find those built from fiberglass and those built from graphite. Fiberglass rods are fast becoming obsolete as they are less versatile compared to graphite. They should not be disregarded entirely however as they have qualities like low sensitivity which might make them better for inexperienced anglers. For anglers who know what they are doing, there is simply no reason to choose fiberglass rods over graphite. Graphite rods are simply light, strong, and versatile to the extent that they are in a class of their own.

1. Fiberglass

Fiberglass fly rods are near immune to the sun, water, heat, salt, and cold. Fiberglass fly rods were very popular before the graphite rod came into the market. Nowadays, fiberglass fly rods are not having a good time due to the incredible performance of graphite rods. Fiberglass fly rods are very cheap, have good durability, and are great for beginners. Some fly fisherman even uses fiberglass rods as their second/backup rods just in case. However, there are still fly anglers who still love their fiberglass fly rods, and are sworn to use them for fly fishing.

2. Graphite

The first complaint we hear about graphite fly rods is they are too stiff. Otherwise, graphite fly rods are the most favorable fly rods for most anglers. If you are a seasoned angler, you will notice that most manufacturers are making graphite rods on a mass scale. As a material, graphite is more versatile in the construction of the blank of a fly rod. Graphite fly rods are strong, offers better performance, and are the first choice for most fly fisherman. One thing to consider you buy a graphite rod is that the cheaper one won’t offer better performance. So unless you are a starter, or want to go fishing rarely, it is better to buy one at a moderate price.

3. Bamboo

It all started with the bamboo. Legends say that the first fly rods were made of bamboo. If you want to buy a good bamboo fly rod, you will have to spend big. To be honest, they are costly. However, they are heavier and need more care and maintenance. If you are a beginner, I will suggest you stay away from bamboo fly rods, and choose a graphite or fiberglass fly rod.

Consider the Price

You can find several brands that cater to different user bases in the market. There are high-end rods for instance which are quite expensive even though they might not have significant features to warrant the price. If you are particularly fond of a certain fly rod manufacturer, the price might not be the most important aspect for you. Other rods are priced according to their construction and features. There are even rods specifically built as affordable options. If you are looking for rods that are particularly built for performance, the price is a good factor to consider as most of the best-performing rods do not come cheap.

Other Important Factors to Consider

Lastly, other less significant factors can also help you make a concrete decision when you are choosing a fly rod. We can consider the piece number. 3-piece or 4-piece rods are best for anyone who travels a lot as they can be fitted into travel bags while 2-piece rods are the opposite. There are also rods built to specifically catch particular species of fish that are either too large or demand special attention. Whatever your considerations are, the critical issues like momentum in the water, the accuracy, and precision of casting, and the convenience that comes with a particular rod are the ultimate points to keep in mind when going for the best fly rod.

---

There are many fly fishing rods that may deserve a spot on this list. I am going to add more fly fishing rods as I encounter them. We will keep updating this list with more best fly fishing rods. Meanwhile, you can post some of your favorite fly fishing rods in the comments section below.

Good Read:

• Best Fly Fishing Waders
• Best Wading Boots
• Best Ice Fishing Rods
• Best Crankbait rods
• Fishing rods for kayak
• Best Catfish Rods
• Best Sling Packs for fly fishing
• Best Telescopic Fishing Rods