The Greatest Fly Fishing Rods of 2025

The perfect fly fishing rods are timeless items of apparatus. With easy care and protected storage, they will final a lifetime or extra. But the know-how 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 seek out the most effective fly rods in the marketplace, we took to the water, went to a pile of commerce exhibits, requested guides, and scoured the web for hidden gems. GearJunkie Hunt and Fish Editor Rachelle Schrute obtained the most effective fly fishing rods she may 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 doubtless fished extra days and in additional circumstances than we ever have this yr, and we’ve discovered the rods that tickle our fancy and entice the most effective underwater fare. Whether or not you’re searching for the general efficiency of the Orvis Helios D or a budget-friendly choice just like the Echo Carbon XL, now we have you coated.

Editor’s Word: We revealed a revised model of this information on March 28, 2025, by including three new rods. We awarded the Echo Carbon XL the most effective finances rod award and the Thomas and Thomas Contact II the most effective Euro Nymphing rod award.

The Greatest Fly Fishing Rods of 2025

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Fly Fishing Rods Comparability Chart

Fly Fishing Rod	Value	Sizes	Motion	Guarantee
Orvis Helios D Fly Rod Outfit	$1,656	4-14wt, 8’5″-10′	Quick	25-year restricted
Echo Carbon XL	$199	2-6 wt, 7’3″-10″	Reasonable	Lifetime, Substitute suggestions out there for buy
Sage R8 Core	$1,050	3-9wt, 8’6″-10′	Quick	Lifetime
Thomas and Thomas Contact II	$895	2-4wt, 10′-11’2″	Euro Nymph Motion	Lifetime
Bozeman Flyworks Gold Normal	$356	5 wt, 9’	Medium- Quick	Inside 1 yr, pay $30 price plus transport. After 1 yr, pay $55 price plus transport.
Tenkara Rod Co. Beartooth	$205	10ft	N/A	Lifetime
Orvis Recon	$598	2-12 wt, 7’6″-10′	Reasonable Quick	25-year restricted
Redington Path II	$150	4-8wt, 8’6”- 9’	4-8wt, 8’6”- 9’	Lifetime
Redington Butter Stick	$280	3-5wt, 7’-8’	Medium- Quick	Lifetime
Orvis Clearwater Outfit	$429	2-12wt, 7’6″-10′	Medium	25-year restricted

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How We Examined the Greatest Fly Fishing Rods

Our Testing Course of

Testing fly rods is a very fascinating, fulfilling, and surprisingly troublesome process. Most individuals make use of one or two types of fly fishing after which keep on with that area of interest. In terms of testing all calibers of fly fishing in a wide range of environments, it actually does require a crew to pack their baggage and get rods to waters throughout the globe.

Fortuitously, now we have 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 various rods, sadly.

We’ve caught every little thing from tarpon to pike, bass to trout, allow to redfish on a fly line, and we’ve had an entire lot of enjoyable doing it.

Whether or not wading by means of river currents, casting from the again of a drift boat, sending streamers from a paddle board, or sightfishing on the entrance of a skiff, we’ve accomplished an entire 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 greatest has been an absolute blast.

Our Skilled 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 various in its instruments and strategies, and guaranteeing now we have the talents required to totally check the most effective of the most effective is an ever-evolving observe.

Whereas comparatively younger, Morgan Nowels has been fly fishing for 19 years. He has labored as a fly fishing information in Utah and Wyoming chasing trout, in addition to in Tennessee for bass. His fly rod arsenal is downright reckless from a monetary standpoint. With expertise fishing for saltwater species, trout, bass, and predatory monsters on the fly, he is aware of what makes a rod actually shine.

With fishermen/gear testers reminiscent of 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 approach to Baja, now we have many types and experiences at our helm. Rob Simpson and Ben Hickok contributed their experience to this information as nicely.

Mixed, our crew has examined 1000’s of sport fishing merchandise and has the experience and expertise that will help you choose the most effective gear for nearly any talent stage, fly fishing scenario, and finances.

For those who’re available in the market for different fishing gear, now we have you coated. Remember to try 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 provides an angler a stability of leisure and challenges, however selecting the most effective fly fishing rod can really feel lower than stress-free and supply an undesirable problem. Whether or not you might be new to fishing or an skilled angler, selecting the best fly fishing rod to your supposed use could have a large impression in your success as an angler and the way a lot you take pleasure in fly fishing.

We’ve accomplished our greatest to distill the important thing concerns when looking for a fly fishing rod, together with rod weight, size, materials, and motion, that will help you make an knowledgeable choice.

Fly Fishing Rod Size

Brief Rods (6-8 Toes)

Shorter rods are normally within the 6 to 8-foot vary and are greatest for tight, brushy streams the place house is restricted and casting will be troublesome. As a common rule, shorter rods will forged extra precisely than their longer counterparts. Nonetheless, there are important drawbacks, primarily in mending. With a brief rod, you lose the flexibility to fix at any distance, so these rods are greatest for brief, tight drifts.

Shorter rods just like the Redington Butterstick typically have dry fly-specific tapers. You’ll principally see these lengths in trout rods designed for delicate dry fly work. If that’s the kind of fishing you do, these specialised rods are a blast to fish.

Medium Rods (8.5-9 Toes)

A medium rod size, typically 8 and a half to 9 ft, is probably the most versatile and commonest size of rod, with the 9 foot 5 weight being the timeless normal for trout. They’re appropriate for a variety of fishing circumstances and usually supply a superb stability of casting distance, management and mending functionality.

For those who aren’t searching for a technique-specific rod and want an all-around workhorse, that is the place you have to be. Some, just like the Orvis Helios D Fly Rods are available vary of lengths, together with medium to lengthy. Others, just like the Bozeman Flyworks Gold Normal solely are available one size.

Lengthy Rods (9.5+ Toes)

Lengthy rods in extra of 9 and a half and 10 ft are perfect for line management post-cast. For those who nymph fish and are continuously mending line, a rod that’s 10’+ will drastically enhance your day on the water. The added size with let you choose up and transfer extra line than a shorter rod. The added size can also be a profit in excessive sticking and tightline strategies the place you’re fishing simply previous the rod tip because the lengthy rod will lengthen your attain. Our favourite is the Thomas and Thomas Contact II, which is available in an 11’2″ choice.

Longer rods additionally forged additional, in order that they’re nice for stillwater and large western rivers. It’s possible you’ll be questioning, “In the event that they’re nice for casting distance, shouldn’t I get that for saltwater fishing?” No. You shouldn’t. Longer rods are rather more troublesome to forged precisely, and saltwater flats fishing requires exact casts to seen targets.

Fly Fishing Rod Weight

The burden of the rod corresponds to the load 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 flies and better numbers designed for bigger, highly effective fish and heavier flies.

Discover how we talked about the flies, not simply the fish dimension. When casting massive flies just like the Drunk and Disorderly, mass is required to maneuver the mass of the fly. To successfully get the fly to the goal, you want extra mass from the fly line, which suggests you’ll want a rod designed to forged the heavier line.

Rod weight choice comes right down to each the flies you’re going to throw, and the species of fish you’re chasing. You by no means need to be undergunned for both a type of elements. Right here’s an instance of the place we’ve seen folks mess this up:

For those who’re chasing trout, it’s possible you’ll end up eager to throw additional massive streamers. Trout are small and never all that highly effective, so that you’d assume a 4 or 5 weight can be nice. The 4/5 provides loads of energy for the fish, nevertheless it’s severely undergunned for these massive flies. You’ll must bump it as much as a 6 or 7 weight.

Beneath are the completely different designations and what we use them for.

1 to 4 Wt

These weights are nice for small streams and delivering delicate shows on lighter line weights. They’re an ideal alternative for small trout, panfish, and different small fish species. The Orvis Clearwater Outfit is available in weights of two to 12, which is a large vary. For those who follow the smaller weight, you’ll need to follow smaller streams.

5/6 Wt

It is a widespread candy spot for weights and an ideal beginning place for any new angler, as these weights supply versatility and are appropriate for a variety of freshwater fishing. 5- and 6-weight rods supply an ideal stability of delicacy and energy, making them wonderful for trout, bass, and bigger panfish.

7 to 9 Wt

These weights are for bigger freshwater species and lightweight saltwater fishing and are greatest fitted to bass, pike, and steelhead. They’ll higher deal with heavier flies, large streamers, and windy circumstances than 5 and 6-weight rods. The Sage R8 CORE is available in a spread of weights (3-9wt), however we most well-liked the 9-foot, 8wt in situations the place we wanted 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 load, energy, and development of a rod. Motion is known as a spread from sluggish to quick, and usually refers to how a lot the rod bends, and extra particularly the place it bends, when casting and beneath the load of combating a fish, or choosing 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 sluggish motion provides a better quantity of bending throughout your complete rod, that means the tip of the rod travels a better distance.

Quick Motion

Typically, a sooner motion provides faster, stronger casting and is especially good for longer-distance casting and windy fishing circumstances. It additionally makes choosing up streamers and heavier flies a lot simpler, whereas a slower motion will be too spongy to raise a heavy fly. Quick-action rods, just like the Orvis Helios D Fly Rods, are additionally extra attentive to your actions, permitting you to react rapidly and set a hook.

Medium Motion

A medium-action rod, just like the Echo Carbon XL, provides an ideal stability of energy and suppleness, making it versatile sufficient to deal with a variety of fishing conditions. Many rods just like the Redington Path II fall into the medium-fast motion class.

Sluggish Motion

A sluggish motion supplies for extra delicate shows and is good for small streams, however the sponginess makes it tougher to react rapidly and do issues quick motion rods can do higher, like rapidly setting a hook or choosing up and rapidly casting streamers and heavier flies. We haven’t included any sluggish motion rods on this checklist but.

Fly Fishing Rod Supplies

Fly rods are normally created from fiberglass, bamboo, or graphite (carbon fiber). The completely different supplies supply completely different advantages and downsides, and a few variations are so delicate that they’re higher suited to specialists.

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 is brittle by itself. Contemplate how simply a mechanical pencil lead breaks, which, satirically, can also be a misnomer. You clearly wouldn’t make a rod out of that. Carbon fiber, which we’ll proceed to name graphite, provides nice energy, sturdiness, and lighter weight than each fiberglass and bamboo.

Graphite rods are light-weight and intensely robust. Which means even longer rods are nonetheless gentle and straightforward 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 energy 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 provides a distinct really feel with slower motion, making it a superb choice for small stream fishing and making delicate shows. Extra fashionable fiberglass rods will be constructed with completely different actions, however the place a sooner motion and a lighter rod are involved, graphite is usually a more sensible choice for many.

Bamboo

The pure flexibility of bamboo provides a easy motion and sensitivity that different composite supplies lack. That sensitivity lets you really feel each facet of fishing, from the load of a fish on the road to fly presentation and a singular really feel when casting. Except the standard look and the distinctive really feel of a bamboo rod are excessive in your precedence checklist, there are just a few drawbacks to bamboo rods.

They’re normally heavier than fashionable composites, a pleasant bamboo rod will be prohibitively costly as they’re handcrafted by specialists, and bamboo rods require a better 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 several configurations, from one-piece to multi-piece designs. Multi-piece rods just like the Redington Path II are normally 4 items and are standard for his or her portability, whereas one or two-piece rods could supply barely higher dealing with and efficiency resulting from 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 created from cork and have comparable contours from rod to rod, however one deal with could suit your hand barely higher than one other, and it’s value dealing with just a few rods so 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 load of the pole forward of your hand. Nonetheless, some rods, like two-handed, change, and spey rods, supply extra handles beneath the reel in order that two arms can be utilized for longer, stronger casting of heavier traces and flies, used when focusing on a lot greater fish.

Tenkara

Tenkara rods are a particular beast on the earth of fly fishing, and a complete article needs to be centered on this particular model of fishing and the tools concerned. Briefly, it’s a enjoyable fly fishing model 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 greatest for constructing a fly fishing expertise.

The dearth of a reel additionally makes it arduous or not possible to make lengthy casts, in addition to to focus on massive 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 solely used to combat fish.

Massive fish and breaking traces can truly injury 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 will be simpler to handle basically.

Private Desire

The overlap of phrases like weight and motion, in addition to the consequences 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 quite a lot of years fishing on completely different rods to actually dial in your favourite weight, dimension, and motion. The truth is that you simply’ll doubtless find yourself with multiple rod and use the rod that greatest matches the fishing you do with it. 

Whereas there isn’t a Goldilocks of fly fishing rods, and one rod can’t fairly do every little thing, there’s a candy spot that provides nice flexibility and may deal with most conventional fly fishing conditions nicely.  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 could think about a 6 weight, as it might probably nonetheless be delicate sufficient for dealing with a dry fly and extra delicate shows however nonetheless present sufficient energy to show over heavier streamers. It’s in the end a alternative that will depend on 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.   

Value & Worth

A fly rod can vary dramatically in value. Newbies can discover nice worth in rods beneath $300, whereas extra superior customers will have the ability to recognize higher dealing with and really feel from higher-end rods that may simply exceed $1,000.

Price range

Price range fly rods will set you again $150-300. Whereas yow will discover fly rods for lower than that, they are going to be very low high quality and be, in our opinion, a waste of your hard-earned money. When you hit $150 most rods could have some type of guarantee program that lets you substitute damaged rods for a small price. Some, just like the Echo Carbon XL, have substitute suggestions out there for buy.

On this value vary, folks typically soar to a fly rod and reel combo package. This takes quite a lot of the guesswork out of organising a brand new combo for the newbie, and choices just like the Bozeman Flyworks Gold Normal supply nice worth.

These rods will final a lifetime, nonetheless, you’re giving up just a few issues. First, the rods within the finances vary will likely be heavier and can really feel significantly extra tip-heavy regardless of not having that rather more bodily weight. They will even are typically extra of a average motion, so that you received’t be throwing laser beam casts throughout the river. Some finances rods try to be quick motion, however we’ve discovered they find yourself feeling extra like a stiff broomstick than a fly rod.

Mid-Tier

Fly rods within the $400-650 vary supply the most effective mix of worth and efficiency. If you wish to step up your sport however don’t have the finances to spring for the most recent flagship rod from manufacturers like Orvis and Sage, that is the place you’ll need to be.

These rods are nice as a result of they typically function the identical know-how that was utilized in an organization’s prior flagship rod. The Orvis Recon is one such rod. Orvis used the development methods from the Helios 3 sequence (the predecessor of the brand new Helios) to design the Recon. That rod price a couple of thousand bucks, however now you may get a rod with the identical know-how for $598.

It’s possible you’ll not have the most recent and biggest in rod manufacturing, however you’re getting the prior iteration of the most recent and biggest.

Premium

A premium fly rod goes to depart nothing to be desired. Rods which are $900+ are going to be the most effective a rod producer has to supply.

Previously, producers pushed arduous on this class to create quick motion rods that might maximize casting distance. Over time, they’ve actually dialed in the most effective motion to mix casting really feel and casting distance whereas producing insane line speeds. In addition they labored arduous to make fly rods as gentle as potential.

As of late, every producer is pushing arduous on casting accuracy and are designing rods with specilaized carbon wrapping processes to get rid of side-to-side rod tip motion all through the forged. Rods just like the Sage R8 will put the fly precisely the place you need it.

Premium rods will even have the most effective elements and seem like a real murals. Fly fishing is probably the most inventive type of fishing, and we are able to recognize a rod that speaks to the fantastic thing about the game.

Regularly Requested Questions