Fly rods are a core piece of equipment for any fly fisher or fly angler. The rod helps us get the fly line and the fly where they should be in order to entice a fish to bite, and is the backbone of the fight once we're hooked up. The best fly rod for your intended use will depend on the type of fish and the fishery you're in; a small stream trout will require a vastly different rod than a massive marlin, for example. Personal preference is a factor in rod choice as well. Some anglers prefer softer, lighter rods while others choose stiffer, burlier rods. It's a matter of personal choice.
Regardless of personal preference, however, there are a few factors that go into making a quality fly rod. Look for rods with an action that casts well (offering power, line control, and overall castability for long days on the water) and offers versatility. Does the rod feel good in hand when you cast it? Do you feel like you're able to make quick, accurate casts and the rod is helping you in the process? These are good signs that you're fishing a great rod for your needs.
It's a good idea to consider the rod materials as well. Most modern rods are made of a graphite composite, allowing for durability as well as performance. The market is seeing a resurgence of fiberglass rods as well, which bear little in common to the fiberglass rods our grandfathers fished. New-school fiberglass is light, tough, and bends oh-so-nicely on fish. Look for rods with a good manufacturer repair and/or return policy as well. If you break the tip section of the rod, it's helpful to know the manufacturer can and will send you a replacement piece when needed.
I first picked up a fly rod when I was too young to rightfully remember it, and have spent the past 15 years of my life working as a professional photographer, writer, and angler in the fly-fishing industry. From 12-weights for sailfish in Mexico to 2-weights for small creek trout in Tasmania, I've spent a lot of time casting different rods in various fisheries around the world. I'm always looking to try new rods in new fisheries, testing them for performance, durability, and overall casting feel.
Most recently, this involved accessing remote headwaters in the Bolivian Amazon and then hiking in to fish for large dorado, pacu, moturo, and yatorana on the fly. When you hook into a large moturo catfish on an 8-weight, you need an 8-weight that means business. Here are my favorite rods for 2024, no matter what fish you're after.
The Best Fly Rods of 2024
- Best Overall Fly Rod: Thomas & Thomas Avantt
- Best Budget Fly Rod: Orvis Clearwater Rod
- Best Small-Water Fly Rod: Thomas & Thomas Paradigm
- Best Big-Water Fly Rod: Orvis Helios 3D Blackout 9-wt. 9'5"
- Best Saltwater Fly Rod: Sage SALT R8
- Best Bamboo Rod: Winston Bamboo 7'0", w-wt., 2-piece
- Best Dream Fly Rod: G. Loomis Asquith Saltwater
- Best Fly Rod For Beginners: Redington Original Freshwater Kit
- Best Fiberglass Fly Rod: Epic 5-Wt. 580 Reference FastGlass
Best Overall Fly Rod: Thomas & Thomas Avantt
Thomas & Thomas
Top Pick: Thomas & Thomas Avantt ($895)
Length: 9' | Line Weight: 5-weight | Action: fast | Warranty: lifetime against defects
Fast, remarkably light, and a joy to cast, the Thomas & Thomas Avantt topped our list of fly rods this year. Lightweight but with a strong backbone, the Avantt recovers quickly after every cast, helping anglers send multiple quick shots at fish when needed. It's got the backbone needed to accurately cast heavy nymph rigs, and also the touch to deliver delicate presentations to rising fish. It performed well for me at both short and long distances, whereas other rods in this review tended to favor one or the other.
Thomas & Thomas is renowned for their craftsmanship. Rods are handcrafted in the company's Massachusetts warehouse and are backed by a lifetime warranty against defects. The rods are elegant, with the brand's signature blue blank, and photograph nicely for those hero shots. It's an investment piece at nearly $900, but a rod that will likely last a lifetime.
- Light swing weight
- Quick recovery
- Ability to fish well at both long and short distances
- Price
- Fast action might be a bit too "hard" for those who favor slower rods
Best Budget Fly Rod: Orvis Clearwater Rod
Orvis
Top Pick: Orvis Clearwater ($249)
Length: 9' | Line Weight: 4-weight | Action: medium-fast | Warranty: 25-year guarantee
Guides around the country run the Orvis Clearwater rods as part of their quiver, and for good reason. For the money, the rod is one of the best buys on the marketplace. Durable with enough performance to fish dries and nymphs, the 4-weight Clearwater is a great all-around budget choice for freshwater anglers after trout and small lake fish.
The rod maintains a feel that's both light and delicate enough to present flies well. It's not a high-performance rod, but can certainly get the job done, and has enough backbone to fight good-sized fish. The "medium-fast" action feels more like a stiff fast action, but the softer tip helps mellow out dry fly presentations.
- Good value for the money
- The softer tip allows for more delicate dry fly presentations
- Can feel a bit heavy in hand
- The "medium-fast" action feels more like a fast action
Best Small-Water Fly Rod: Thomas & Thomas Paradigm
Thomas & Thomas
Top Pick: Thomas & Thomas Paradigm ($965)
Length: 8'2" | Line Weight: 3-weight | Action: medium | Warranty: lifetime against defects
The Thomas & Thomas Paradigm is a reimagination of the brand's older Paradigm rod, which was a trout fishing rod powerhouse for more than 20 years. The new Paradigm brings all the features we'd expect in a high-quality trout fly rod, including an extremely light casting weight and delicate presentation. When anglers talk about a slower, true "presentation" rod for delicate dry fly casts, this is it.
The unique stats of the 8'2" 3-weight are the perfect creek rod; short enough for good loading even in tight quarters, and light enough to bounce nicely while playing even small creek trout. While the rod might feel a little too soft to anglers who prefer fast-action rods, the Paradigm has one of the best "feels" of any rod on the list, and we expect it to be a beloved rod for generations to come.
- Extremely light in hand
- The 8'2" 3-weight is a creek machine
- Medium action might feel too slow to some anglers
- Rod might feel startlingly light to some anglers
Best Big-Water Freshwater Rod: Orvis Helios 3D Blackout 5-wt. 9'5"
Orvis
Top Pick: Orvis Helios 3D Blackout 5-wt. 9'5" ($998)
Length: 9'5" | Line Weight: 5-weight | Action: fast | Warranty: 25-year
This specialized rod comes from Orvis's Helios 3 family. The "blackout" version signifies a purpose-made, uniquely-sized rod, and the 9 '5'' 5-weight has become one of our favorites for fly fishing big water. The extra 5" of reach adds a benefit while nymphing or swinging wet flies, thanks to the extra length. It can still handle dry fly presentations well and is a good all-arounder 5-weight rod.
The Helios 3 series tends to be fast-action overall and may be too stiff for anglers who prefer slower rods. If you're someone who looks for slow, quiet casts and a presentation dripping with finesse, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for one rod which can handle heavy nymph rigs, and medium-sized streamers, and still throw a dry decently, this is one to eyeball.
- The extra 5" adds nymphing performance
- The fast action can handle heavy nymph rigs in bigger water
- Action might be too fast for some anglers
- The rod lacks delicate presentation abilities
Best Saltwater Fly Rod: Sage SALT R8
SALT
Top Pick: Sage SALT R8 ($1,100)
Length: 9' | Line Weight: 8-weight | Action: fast | Warranty: limited
Sage's SALT series has won many accolades, and it's easy to see why. The taper of the rod allows for fine finesse and good feel for delicate yet powerful presentations to bonefish, permit, redfish, and more. The rod's strong backbone allows for fast landing times, helping reduce fish stress and mortality. The combo of finesse and strength made this rod top out our saltwater options.
- Excellent finesse and feel
- Enough backbone to land fish quickly
- Fast action might be too fast for some anglers
- The 8-weight is a good all-around weight for smaller saltwater species
Best Bamboo Rod: Winston Bamboo 7'0", 4-wt., 2-piece
Winston Rod Company
Winston Bamboo 7'0", 4-wt., 2-piece ($3500)
Length: 7' | Line Weight: 4-weight | Action: slow | Warranty: against defects
A quality bamboo rod is an investment, and those handcrafted by the folks at Winston in Twin Bridges, Montana, are no exception. Their thoughtful craftsmanship results in smooth, buttery, classic bamboo action and rods that still perform well on the river. Capable of very delicate, precise presentations, these rods are a dry fly angler's dream.
- Finesse and delicate presentations
- The slow action makes us cast more thoughtfully
- The cost—these are investment rods at a premium price point
- Anglers used to fast-action rods might struggle at first with the slow feel
Best Dream Fly Rod: G. Loomis Asquith Saltwater
G. Loomis
Top Pick: G. Loomis Asquith Saltwater ($1335)
Length: 9' | Line Weight: 10-weight | Action: fast | Warranty: lifetime limited
G. Loomis's Asquith Saltwater series brings serious backbone to the big fish game while still maintaining a delicate enough feel for presentation cases to spooky species. The rods feel powerful and almost encouraging in hand, and recover quickly, allowing for second shots at fish if necessary. The fast action pushes well through wind and inclement weather, too.
- Quick recovery for game changes on the platform
- Fast action has enough backbone in the wind
- One of the priciest high-end rods on our list
- Can feel a bit heavy compared to other rods on our list
Best Fly Rod For Beginners: Redington Original Freshwater Kit
Reddington
Top Pick: Redington Original Freshwater Kit ($199)
Length: 9' | Line Weight: 5-weight | Action: medium-fast | Warrantee: 1-year
A great option for someone just getting into fly fishing, Redington's Original Freshwater kit includes the basics: a medium-fast action, 9-foot, 5-weight rod, a corresponding reel, a weight-forward floating fly line, and a protective case. The rod itself is a good basic piece, with medium-fast action which makes it a good learning tool for someone wanting to go practice on their local creeks or ponds.
- Good value for the money
- An easy learning rod
- Angler will still have to buy leader, tippet, flies, and other terminal tackle
Best Fiberglass Fly Rod: Epic 5-Wt. 580 Reference FastGlass
Epic Fly Rods
H3: Top Pick: Epic 5-Wt. 580 Reference Fast Glass ($695)
Length: 8' | Line Weight: 5-weight | Action: medium | Warranty: lifetime, original owner
Effortless to throw. Buttery smooth. Makes me smile when I cast it. Epic's fiberglass rods tick all the boxes at any weight. The brand's FastGlass series is what modern fiberglass should be: a sheer pleasure to fish. Smooth to cast with enough backbone to fight fish well when you hook up, Epic's 5-weight is a dream trout rod for anglers looking to slow down and enjoy their fishing time that much more. I'm a fan; these are some of my favorite rods.
- Modern fiberglass action: slow but strong
- Extremely durable and resists breakage
- Fiberglass rods aren't for everyone; they cast more slowly than most rods on the market today
- Epic's customer service is among the best in the business
Other Fly Rods We Considered
Grey's Cruise Fly Combo ($189): This combo from Grey's includes a rod, reel, and floating fly line. It's not a performance powerhouse, but is a good starter kit for someone looking to explore their local streams, rivers, and ponds.
Orvis Superfine Glass Rod ($498): While we prefer the performance of the Epic rods, Orvis has done a good job with their glass rods. The Superfine glass is durable and lends itself well to delicate dry fly presentations, especially on small creeks and streams.
Scott Centric ($945): Scott's fast-action freshwater rod is another premium offering that performs well for lakes and rivers. Fast action while maintaining a good feel, the Centric is a comfortable rod to fish for long days.
Tenkara Rod Company Teton Zoom Package ($245): Tenkara anglers looking for a good value should turn to the Teton Zoom Package, which includes everything one needs to get started in this reel-less fly fishing style.
What to Look For When Buying a Fly Rod
Before you head to the local fly shop and start looking at rods, consider your fly-fishing needs. You'll want to consider where you're fishing, what species you'll be targeting, and your individual gear preferences. Here are a few things to ponder:
Will you be fishing for small trout in a little mountain creek, or chasing large migratory tarpon on saltwater flats? There's a world of difference between a creek-worthy three-weight fly rod and a hefty 10-weight that's ready for the flats. If you're looking for a versatile all-arounder for most freshwater fishing in the USA, consider the classic 9-foot, 5-weight as your first fly rod.
Most modern rods are crafted from either carbon fiber or graphite, or sometimes a blend of the two. These materials allow the rod to remain light yet strong, and tend to be quite durable. Speciality materials such as fiberglass and bamboo result in softer, slower rods that can be finesse tools for more experienced anglers. Talk to your local fly shop experts to see what might be a good fit for your needs and preferences.
Most modern fly rods fall into the "medium-fast" or "fast" action categories. The trend is for rods that are light but have a stiff backbone, allowing anglers to make quick casts and then fight fish with ease. As noted above in the material section, some fishermen might prefer slower, softer action rods, which can allow for very delicate dry fly presentations. The best way to know what you like is to go cast a variety of rods and see what feels right for you as a caster.
Fish live in all different kinds of water, and therefore we need different kinds of rods to chase them. Bear in mind what kind of fishing you'll be doing most. A quality dry fly rod might give more delicate presentations than a Euro nymphing rod, which is designed to cast several flies with ease. Big streamer rods can be more stiff to toss heavy flies in the wind, while a small creek rod is going to be shorter and more delicate.
Your Questions, Answered
A fly rod is an investment, and can last a lifetime if it's well cared-for. There are many good budget options on the market which perform well, but if you can afford a higher-quality rod, you'll likely be able to feel the difference between the categories.
For most American anglers, a 9-foot 5-weight rod is a great all-around fly rod to start with. This length and weight combo can toss dry flies, nymphs, and even small streamers on most water.
The fly industry is home to many legacy brands. Companies such as Orvis and Thomas & Thomas have been around for decades, and others such as G. Loomis and Winston are steadfasts in the fly fishing space.
You'll still need to purchase a fly reel and line, leader and tippet, flies, a fly box, and other little basics such as flotant and indicators. Don't forget a bag, sling pack, or vest to put it all in! If you're fishing and wading in cold water, waders and boots will be a good purchase.
Who We Are
Jess McGlothlin has spent more than 15 years working around the world in the fly-fishing industry. She's fished from Russia to Bolivia, the South Pacific to Iceland, and can usually be found on the water in some strange corner of the world with a fly rod and a camera close at hand. See more at www.JessMcGlothlinMedia.com.
Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Spaces are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
READ MORE: Fly Fishing Essential Gear Checklist
