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Best Fly Fishing Rods Reviews [The 9 Front Runners]

Fly fishing might look basic at first glance, but there are certainly some considerations to think about upfront. Having the optimal equipment is one of them. You can't go fly fishing with some random rods and reels. You need a plan, but also the right place. All in all, finding the best fly fishing rods out there doesn't seem so hard.

You do have options, which means you can find the perfect option for your needs and expectations. But then, an informed decision asks for a little education. You need to research the market and analyze features, specs, pros and cons. With these aspects in mind, what are the best choices out there and what makes them so well rated? For those who wants to jump straight to our final verdict, here are our top picks.

best value

  • Available in 10 sizes
  • best for saltwater
  • easy to assemble
  • durable cordura rod tube

premium

  • Versatility and Tracking
  • Great casting
  • Solid construction
  • Sophisticated and Delicate
  • Suitable for multiple applications

Top 9 Fly Fishing Rods [ Table Of Comparison]

We have summarized a comparison table below for your easy reference. However, it is important to note that the positions are in no particular order of importance.

ProductSpecifications & FeaturesOur Rating


G.Loomis NRX Lite
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Best all-around fly rod

Suitable for beginners

Soft action with medium taper

For small & medium dry flies

5.0/5.0



Price: $$$$$

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St. Croix Legend Elite
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High-modulus SCV graphite

Hard chrome, single-foot fly guides on 3-6 wt. models

Hard chrome snake guides on 7-10 wt. models

5.0/5.0



Price: $$$$


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Wild Water Fly Rods
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9 ft, 5/6 weight, 4 pc rod

Made from IM6 Graphite

Mid flex, slow action

Diecast Aluminum Fly Fishing Reel

4.7/5.0



Price: $

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Temple Fork Outfitters BVK Series
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Fast action rods

Ultra lightweight chromium-impregnated stainless snake guides

Available in 3-12 weight

Used in fresh and salt water

4.6/5.0



Price: $$$

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Fenwick AETOS
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Fast action rods

Fast recover and high performance tapers

4 pieces

AAA-grade cork handle

4.5/5.0



Price: $$$

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Sage Approach
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Medium-fast action rods

4 pieces

High modulus Graphite

Ceramic stripper guide

Hard chrome snake guides

4.3/5.0



Price: $$$

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Allen Prelude
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Medium-fast action rods

4 pieces

Fully Machined ATS Series Reel

Weight Forward Floating Fly Line

9' tapered leader

4.2/5.0



Price: $$

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Echo Carbon XL
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Medium-fast action rods

4 pieces

Ceramic stripping guides

4.5/5.0



Price: $$

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Redington Path II
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Medium-fast action rods

4 pieces

6 choices of weight models

Wooden reel seats

Durable cordura rod tube

4.3/5.0



Price: $$

More Details

Best Fly Fishing Rods Reviews

1. G. Loomis NRX Lite - Best All Around Fly Rod

Best fly fishing rods

G. Loomis is known for creating some of the best fly fishing rods on the market. This model makes no exception either. It's a great fly rod combo that works for any kind of fishing conditions, yet it's obviously designed with certain applications in mind. Rated 5 out of 5 stars, it's among the top rated units in its segment.

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2. St. Croix Legend Elite - Best Fly Rod for Trout

St. Croix is definitely a front runner when coming to this list of the best rods. You'll inevitably stumble upon this name due to its diversity in products. You can find specialized rods for certain applications, as well as general rods. The Legend Elite model can be used for multiple purposes but it's better known for its abilities in trout fishing.

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3. Wild Water Fly Rod - Best Beginner Fly Rod

Looking for the best fly fishing rods for beginners? This model is specifically designed to make your life easier when you go fishing. It's rated 4.7 out of 5 stars, which means it goes beyond beginners. In fact, it's just as handy for experienced anglers who just want to take it easy sometimes and enjoy a relaxing stress-free experience.

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4. Temple Fork Outfitters BVK Series Best Fly Rod for the Money


If cost efficiency is what you're looking for, search no more. Temple Fork Outfitters is known for designing some of the best rods when it comes to value for money. The BVK Series is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars. In other words, it's not popular for the price only, but it also features some great technologies for both newbies and experienced anglers.

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5. Fenwick AETOS - Best 8wt Fly Rod

Available in a series of sizes including 8wt, this model from Fenwick will not disappoint you. It's rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and its performance takes simplicity to a new level.

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6. Sage Approach - Best 5 Weight Fly Rod

Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars, Sage's Approach rod targets a popular segment. It's a standard size that both newbies and professionals use. Unsurprisingly, it performs well in this segment, despite being based on simple, yet efficient features.

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7. Allen Prelude - Best Fly Rod under $ 200

Setting an available budget when buying something is a must and fly rods make no exception. Even if your available budget is under the middle part of the market, you can still find a quality rod to push your game further. The Prelude model from Allen can certainly add to your experience.

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8. Echo Carbon XL - Best 3 Wt Fly Rod

The 3wt size may not be the most popular one, but it can certainly add to your experience. Obviously, sizing standards depend on the actual expectations and skill levels. From this point of view, the Carbon XL model is one of the best in this range. Moreover, it's rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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9. Redington Path II - Best Saltwater Fly Rods

While advertised to be an all water rod, the Path II model can certainly make the difference in saltwater. Redington fly rods have always drawn some attention with their specialized uses, rather than general applications. This unit makes no exception. It's rated 4.3 out of 5 stars. Over 93% of all buyers find it perfect.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is the best fly rod length?

The best fly rod length is 9 feet, which is considered as average and the most desirable for many users and also for beginners.


2.How much does a good fly rod cost?

A good fly rod will cost you around $100. The entire package that comes with the fly rod, reel, flies and accessories is more expensive and it will cost around $200. If you are looking to purchase the reel separately, check out our article for more fishing reels choices.


3.Do longer fly rods cast further?

Yes, a longer fly rod allows you to cast further. The longer the rod, longer the cast is. This applies to all fishing rods.

FINAL VERDICT

Bottom line, a little research on the best fly fishing rods will lead you in the right direction. Make sure you know what you need the rod for, but also consider your expectations and skill level. The above mentioned models dominate certain segments, so they represent the front runners once you have your priorities straight.

If you have just started out in the fly fishing game and you don't mind spending a little more on the fishing rod, go for G. Loomis NRX Lite, since this is an all-around rods which can be used in rivers, calm lakes, small streams, and also in saltwater. If budget is your issue, then opt for the Wild Water fly rods.

If you love catching trout, St. Croix Legend Elite is definitely the best choice. You can choose between Temple Fork Outfitters and Fenwick AETOS if you are looking for fast action rods.

For medium to fast action rods, we recommend the Sage Approach, Allen Prelude, Echo Carbon XL, and Redington Path II

Looking for other types of rods instead? If you are looking for spinning rods, click here to find our top 8. We have also done a comprehensive comparison on the best casting rods in the market today. Or, if you prefer to have a specific rod designed for certain fish species, check out the salmon and steelhead rods.

Adam Parsons

Hi! I'm Adam Parsons - a fishing enthusiast. I have been fishing for more than 15 years now and I still strongly remember that the toughest part for me was during the learning process. Most guides I read during that time was too technical to understand. Therefore, I make sure that everything I post on dream-guides regarding fishing is written well and easy to understand even if you are a newbie.

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