Fly fishing is often considered an art and a sport. From the moment Brad Pitt cast a line over the Gallatin River in the film version of Norman McLain’s famous A River Runs Through It, fly fishing has been compared to dancing on the water. But it can also be frustrating, confusing, confusing, and just plain difficult. Even choosing the best fly fishing rod and the best fly fishing gear is difficult because new fly rods are coming out all the time. What is the best fly rod length? What is the best all terrain fly rod weight? How much should I spend on a fly rod?

These are all common questions, and we’ll break them down for you. We will also explain the mystery behind the Spey Cane and the Tenkara Cane. It doesn’t matter if you are freshwater fishing or want a saltwater fly rod, we have the best fly rod for you.

Scroll down, find what works best for you, and make your way to the water.

Features to consider when buying a fly rod

Before even looking for a fly rod, the first thing you need to decide is where you are going to use it. This will help determine the size of the fish you will be hunting, and therefore the length, weight, and strength of the fly rod. If you are just starting out, there is also a good choice for this.

Are you going fly fishing in salt water?

The first question you might ask yourself while reading this section is: How are saltwater fly fishing rods different from freshwater fishing rods, and why would I need both? The answer is twofold. First, saltwater fly fishing rods will be less prone to corrosion than freshwater fly fishing rods. If you’re in the salt all day, you’ll need something a little tougher than a rod designed for a Rocky Mountain stream.

Second, saltwater fishing rods will help you cast that bonefish, tarpon, or license very quickly. If you see one of these fish, you may only have one shot, two at most, to hit the target. This means that you need a fly rod that reaches farther, faster, and more gently than some others. You’ll need a rod that you can trust to land your fly exactly where you are looking – and handle the beast on the other end when it catches the fly.

Best Saltwater Fly Rod: Sage Salt HD Fly Rod

Sage fly rods are known for their strength, precision and versatility. This rod is no different. The SALT HD isn’t a cheap fly rod, but chances are you aren’t looking for a cheap fly rod. Weight 6 is designed to handle many flat monsters with its 9ft length and four pieces. It is handcrafted on Bainbridge Island in the USA and has a locking aluminum reel seat with a cork handle. But it is this graphite III technology that will gain a place in your boat.

Are you going to fish for trout in the trout streams?

You might be wondering how we were able to have the audacity to choose a model like the best fly rod for trout. We know that sounds daring to us too. But it is really possible. Realistically you won’t go wrong with a medium weight rod for most of the lower 48 trout streams. You can even bring sockeye or silver salmon ashore in Alaska with a 6-weight rigid rod. High mountain rivers may be better suited to a light weight of 3, and large rivers in Montana or Wyoming with fiery migrating brown trout may require a weight of 7 or even 8 weights. But if you don’t want to invest in all of these options, choosing a solid 5 weights will probably be your best bet.

Best Fly Rod for Trout: Orvis Helios 3F 5-Weight 8′6 ″ Fly Rod

Fast and light

This Orvis freshwater fishing rod is ideal for fishing most trout streams. Amazon

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These Orvis fly rods will allow you to gently land a dry fly on a calm stream, as well as throw a big streamer or place a weighted nymph with a wet fly on a dropper. It’s also sleek, lightweight, and delivers a crisp, satisfying distribution.

Are you going to fish in big rivers?

If you don’t plan on fishing a stream larger than five to ten feet in diameter, a Spey rod probably isn’t for you. But if you find yourself on some of the country’s largest rivers like Oregon’s famous Deschutes, consider a Spey Rod.

Spey rods – also known as two-handed rods – are very long fly rods designed to send a fly far across a river with speed and precision. If you’ve ever seen drone footage of someone launching Spey, you know how gorgeous it can be. And effective. If you want to catch a wild rainbow trout or a large migrating brown trout, go for one of them. If you’ve never done this before, you may also want to consider taking a lesson or two.

Best Spey Rod: Echo Full Spey Two Hand Fly Rod (13ft 8wt)

Strong and efficient

This Echo Full Spey two-handed fly rod can catch big fish. Amazon

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This Spey rod from Echo Fly Rods is not necessarily a fly rod for beginners (although some fly fishermen start with Spey rods). It’s medium fast action with an anodized aluminum reel seat. It’s also long – 13 feet – which is perfect for big water, although many two-handed rods tend to be shorter.

Are you a newbie fly fisherman?

Beginner anglers may want to use a two-handed rod to cast a fly 75 feet across a river, but if you want to start small and understand the basics, a tenkara rod is a good choice. Tenkara rods have both been around for centuries, and the concept is as basic as it gets: you tie a fly line to the end of the rod, tie a leader and a fly, and cast. It’s that simple. There is no reel, no constant back and forth, no need to manage the line that comes out of a reel.

You can use a tenkara rod for any freshwater fishing adventure. They really shine on small streams where you want to gently place your fly under a branch or overhanging. Simplifying your fly fishing adventure makes learning to fly fishing easier, and tenkara rods do just that.

Best Fly Rod for Beginners: Tenkara USA Sato Rod

Basic and easy

This tenkara fly rod is size adjustable so you can choose the best length for the water you are fishing. Amazon

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This Sato Tenkara rod is super light and designed for precise casting. It also allows you to adjust the rod length from just over 10 1/2 feet up to almost 13 feet for various situations. When folded up, it is less than 2 feet long, making it easy to take with you in a vehicle or even on a bicycle.

Inexpensive Fly Rods: What You Get For Under $ 150

A fly fishing rod can be very expensive, and yes, fly fishing equipment in general can be very expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. You can catch a lot of fish with an economical fly rod.

But as with most fishing gear, there is often a line between good budget quality and bad budget quality. Poorly made fly rods that cost very little will not perform well and you will be frustrated that you cannot get your fly where you want it.

Best Value Fly Rod: Redington VICE Fly Fishing Rod with Tube

Affordable and reliable

The Redington is a well-designed, easy-to-cast fly rod. Amazon

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While this Redington rod is great for beginners, it’s also a good rod for experienced anglers who just want one more rod in their fly fishing gear for the river. It has a quick and easy to launch action. It also comes in four pieces so you can store it in its rod tube and take it with you on a hike or on a muddy mountain trip. It has a lifetime warranty, which makes it an even better budget option if you end up breaking a section.

Faq:

How much should I spend on a fly rod?

The easy answer is as much or as little as you want. A fly rod can easily cost up to $ 1,000, but you can get a good quality rod for under $ 150.

What is the best all terrain fly rod weight?

The best fly rod weight all around largely depends on what you plan to fish and where you are going to fish. But if you were to buy only one rod for freshwater fishing, a weight of 5 or 6 is better. They are strong enough to handle large trout on large streams, and flexible and light enough to cast on small streams for small fish.

What is the best fly rod length?

The best fly rod length is between 8 and a half to 9 feet long. Shorter and you won’t be able to throw as well. Longer and it can become unwieldy, especially if there are trees on the bank or shore.

A final word on buying the best fly rod

Think about exactly where you will be using the fly rod before you start shopping. This will narrow down your choices for the best fly rod and virtually eliminate the possibility of you picking the wrong one.