Clicky

    Best Fly Fishing Rods: Reviews Of Our Favorites To Use

    A row of fly fishing poles up along a wall.
    Fly fishing is one of those water recreation activities where time just seems to stand still. You see fathers and sons out there on the river, bonding as they have in generations before, and it stirs something in the human soul. Mothers and daughters are fly fishing more than every today as well, which means knowing how to select the best fly rods for the entire family is something that can be of value. Here’s how you’re going to do it.

    The Best Chart For Fly Fishing Rods

    You might need to have good casting skills to catch something with a fly rod, but you need a great rod too. The best fly rods on the market today are listed in the chart below so you can quickly compare them to find the best one to meet your needs.

    Here Are the Salty Dog’s Favorite Fly Fishing Rods

    Okuma SLV Graphite 4-Piece Fly Rod



    The best part about this fly rod is the stainless steel snake guides. They are designed perfectly to help make an afternoon of fishing a success. The design of the rod is nice and lightweight, made from graphite, and it is a 4-piece rod design that is easy to transport without making a compromise on the strength of the rod. There’s also an aluminum pipe reel seat with aluminum hoods to provide an extra level of value. It’s a 10-11 wt. rods and the value is good enough that you’ll compete with even the most expensive rods out there.

    Eagle Claw Featherlight Fly Rod



    This ¾ line weight fly rod comes in 2 pieces and offers over 6 feet of length. It’s made of fiberglass, so there is a lot of flexibility in the line without much of a worry of it snapping when you catch a massive fish. The cork handle doesn’t have any ergonomics to it, but the grip is fine enough at this price point. The stainless steel guides are as useful as they are supposed to be and this rod breaks down into two pieces for transportation. Although designed more for the beginner, some small stream fishing is a nice option with this rod as well.

    Redington Form Game Rod



    This is a 50-inch graphite rod that also breaks down into two pieces so that it can be easily transported. The oversized snake guides are nice because it makes casting easier and more accurate for the beginner. With good rod action and a nice loop formation, the fly presentation that happens doesn’t have to be perfect for it to be effective. It comes with 30 feet of practice line out of the box with a simulated leader, but you’ll want to replace that once you get used to the rod.

    Temple Fork Outfitters Professional Series II Fly Rod



    If you love a medium to fast fly rod that is powerful and smooth, then you’re going to want to try this one on for size. The anodized reel seats with aluminum inserts are durable and strong. The cork grip has a premium feeling to it and the burled accents are a nice aesthetic tough. It’s perfect for the beginner because it gives you a balanced feeling, although it’s a little forward, and lets everyone get used to a fast action. Because the craftsmanship of this rod is absolutely flawless, it must be included as one of the best fly fishing rods available today.

    Mystic Reaper Series Fly Rod

    This 5 wt. fly fishing rod breaks down into 4 pieces and offers a 9-foot rod that won’t kill off your savings account when you want something nice. With the same taper designs and mandrels that you’ll find on premium rods, this is the best fly rod for those who can’t afford the premium experience, but want to benefit from it. Although the finish quality of the rod could be improved a bit, the action that it provides, even with long leaders, is easily able to handle a 4-pound fish. The balance is excellent. You’re going to enjoy this rod.
    If you’ve got a stream or river calling your name, then you’re going to want one of the best fly rods available to satisfy that craving. Use these reviews, compare rods, and select the one that is best for you today. It’s a decision you won’t regret at all.

    What Are the Basics of the Best Fly Rods?

    When push comes to shove, there are three basic functions that need to be examined when trying to find the best fly fishing rod.

    1. Casting. In many ways, the mechanism of casting with a fly rod is a lot like a spin rod. The rod allows the fly line to be accurately placed on the water. The difference is that the impact of the fly rod is supposed to be light and gentle so that it doesn’t spook the fish and make them think that there is danger near.
    2. Control. A fly rod will also allow you to control the line that is out on the water. This takes a little practice to do successfully, but is an integral component of the fly fishing experience. If the rod doesn’t allow for this, then there is no way for it to be the best fly fishing rod that is available today.
    3. Striking/Landing. The fish you catch isn’t going to just give up without a fight. Your fly rod needs to be strong enough to hook the fish, yet flexible enough to still be able to bend without actually snapping.

    Once you’ve realized the basics of what makes up the best fly rods, then you’re ready to start looking at reviews. Rather than spending hours trawling through individual reviews on forums or Reddit, let our comprehensive and concise guide help you. The best fly rod reviews will help you see the specifics of the rod, help you decide if it will help you land the type of fish you’re after, and if it can stand up to the sometimes great pressures that a fish can place on a rod.

    Part of that decision also needs to involve how much action you anticipate using with your rod. The smaller the body of water you have in front of you, then the slower the action needs to be on your rod. Not every rod is designed to give you a slow action, so make sure to keep track of the actions of each rod in the reviews you can find on this site. This will help you select a fly rod that has the basics to meet all of your needs

    How To Find the Best Fly Rod

    In order to find the fly fishing rod that will best meet your needs, you’re going to need to decide what kind of fish you plan to catch. If you’re thinking about fishing for some huge bass, then you’re going to need a different rod than one that will work for something like a panfish. Even in comparing trout to bass, you’ll need to have a different fly rod to accommodate these fish.

    The type of fishing that you’re planning on doing also plays a role. If you’re planning on doing some saltwater fly fishing, then a freshwater rod isn’t going to do you a lot of good. The reverse is also true. If you plan on fishing in a river that is calm, then you’ll have a different need than those who are fishing in some gentle rapids.

    By combining these needs with the reviews that you will find right here, you’ll be able to find a good product that will effectively meet all of your needs.

    What Are the Advantages of the Best Fly Fishing Rods?

    The advantages of the best fly fishing rods is that they will help you use different levels of action as you are out fishing. Although short casts are necessary in some environments and this may require a specific fly rod, most rods can give you medium to fast action that will give you some precise casts without difficulty. This will let you have more accuracy because you can cast in a way that the environment demands without having to change your equipment.

    The one problem that comes up with rods that allow for multiple action, is that they can be difficult to learn for beginners. Long distance precise casts are sometimes necessary and that’s a skill, which takes awhile to develop. Avoid action like this in small streams because the water impact is heavier than it needs to be and it will often cause the fish to flee.

    What Are the Prices on the Best Fly Rods?

    There is a wide range of prices that you can find for fly fishing rods today. You can find entry-level rods that are perfect for beginners or kids at the $30 range. Many experienced casters can find a good rod somewhere between $60-$100. There are also some premium fly rods that are on the market today that exceed that price. If you shop on Amazon for your new fly fishing rod, however, the average price savings on the best fly rods is about 25%.

    Related Posts