The first step towards becoming a fly fishing enthusiast is buying a good rod and reel. But there are so many options out there, it’s difficult to know which fly fishing rods are the best.
If you’re just starting out, you’ll want a rod that’s durable enough to withstand a few bumps, but also light enough to make casting easier. For a more budget-friendly option, consider a starter set that includes a rod, reel and line.
Read on to find the best fly fishing rods for you.
Our Editor’s Best Fly Fishing Rods Reviews
- 🎣【Complete 5/6 weight Fly Rods Kit】- 4 piece fly rod , a large arbor reel, preinstalled line, a fly box, flies, and a lightweight rod case with a zippered storage pouch. It's the best gift to send father, son, husband, fiancé, boyfriend.
- 🎣【Premium Performance Fly Pole】 - The mid flex IM8 graphite fly rod comes with stainless steel stripper guide which reduces friction and heat, and won't harm the fish line. It’s also made up of adjustable CNC aluminum reel seat which effectively avoids loose swing phenomenon on fishing. The western-style grip made with compressed cork trim rings helps casting accuracy and avoids fatigue.
- 🎣【Diecast Aluminum Fly Reel】 - Durable aluminum construction and spool, Gear ratio is 1:1. One-way only roller bearing system, Ball Bearings: 2+1BB. Superior Teflon disk drag design, Line Weight: 5/6 External Dia: 2-9/10", Net Weight: 5.2 oz. Pre-loaded 20lb 98ft backing, weight forward 6-weight floating 100ft fly line, and 9ft 3X leader.
- 🎣【Floating Fly Flies Box and Carrier Bag】 - The Beginner Fly Flies Box is composed of waterproof fly box and 20 flies. The study rod case with a zippered storage pouch holds everything you need for fly fishing. It's easy to carry anywhere. It's the best fishing kit suited for trout, pan fish, small streams, ponds, and backpacking.
- 🎣 【Best Gifts Choice】: It's the best father day gifts to any beginner or addictive anglers. Special for Christmas, Thanksgiving Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day ect.
- High Quality Construction - Performance, higher modulus carbon fiber makes it much lighter than the DrifterExtra Tip Included - Each Drifter II comes with two rod tip sections, so you'll always have a replacement handy. Breaking your tip in a car door or tree leaving you sidelined is a thing of the past I with excellent swing weight in Moderate-Fast action, along with a beautiful burl reel seat and anti-glare finish
- Extra Tip Included - Each Drifter II comes with two rod tip sections, so you'll always have a replacement handy. Breaking your tip in a car door or tree leaving you sidelined is a thing of the past
- Its in the Details - SiC strippping guides, metallic copper accents and alignment dots, light wire single foot guides, AAA grade cork, and uplocking rings with derlin bushings
- Easy to Travel - Each rod comes with a 5 compartment embroidered cordura tube
- Built for the Elements – We understand your fly fishing adventures can present obstacles that can leave you dead in the water. When you invest in Moonshine, you'll get a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty with an industry-competitive fee to get you back up and running in no time
- Martin complete fly-fishing kit includes: fully loaded reel (backing, line, leader), 8-foot 3-piece 5/6 weight rod, custom fly assortment, getting started booklet
- Fully loaded reel pre-spooled with backing, line and leader; Metal clicker with on/off control
- 6 weight floating premium fly line already on the reel
- No knots to tie, you're ready to fish; Holds 50-yds/20-lb backing plus fly line; Line Capacity of 30 yds LT6F
- TRUSTED: Since 1954, Martin has helped people enjoy and discover the outdoors through fishing; Martin products are warranted for a period of (1) year from date of original retail purchase against defects in workmanship and/or materials
- 4-PIECE KIT: This fishing kit includes a rod, reel, line, leader, and fly fishing accessories like a rod/reel case
- READY-TO-FISH: This fly fishing kit includes the Encounter 8'6" 5-wt. rod, a size II Encounter reel, 5-wt. line, backing, 4X leader, and rod/reel case
- 5-YEAR GUARANTEE: Covered by Orvis's 5-Year, no-questions-asked guarantee
- ENCOUNTER REEL: Fishing rod includes size II Encounter reel for all you need to start fishing today
- PERFORMANCE & AFFORDABILITY: This fishing rod and reel kit has all the power and performance needed priced with frugality in mind for the ideal starter kit
- Fly Rod Combo Components: SF fly fishing rod combo includes a 5wt 9FT fly fishing rod, carrying case for easy protection, 5/6wt aluminum alloy fly reel pre-loaded with fly line, backing line, and tapered leader. And flies are packaged in a fly box, zinger 2pcs, a line nipper, a fishing forceps and 6 packs of 9FT tapered leader(2*4X,2*5X,2*6X), all of these are in the P-type rod tube, convenient to carry around.
- Fly Rod Features: SF 5 Weight 9 Foot medium-fast action fly rod body is made of pure IM7 24T plus 30T emerald green carbon fiber for good durability. The aluminum alloy reel seat with two lock rings for secure reel mounting. And stripping guides inserts and chrome guides for smooth gliding fly lines. For a comfortable grip, the rod is fitted with a 6.9-inch-long Western-style cork handle. And the hook keeper on the rod blank for holding flies.
- Pre-loaded fly reel: Matt black 5/6wt, the die-cast aluminum-alloy reel adopts surface anti-corrosion treatment. And the large arbor design is helpful to quick line retrieval. It is pre-loaded with WF5F-90FT fly line(Fluorescent Yellow), 20LB-50M backing line(Orange), and 9FT-4X tapered leader nylon(Clear). It is very suitable for fishing lovers and beginners.
- Waterproof fly box with flies inside: The fly box which measures 5.24" x 3.47" x 1.42" can hold up to 126 flies! To get you started, it includes the following flies: 3pcs Size 6 barbed Chernobyl Ant , 3pcs Size 12 barbed Tungsten Bead Head Green Tinsel Nymph and 3pcs Size 12 barbed No Hackle Tan Caddis.
- This combo includes many of the basic products needed for fishing. It is ideal for beginners to use this set to fish in streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. Any problem, please feel free to contact us.
- FLY FISHING COMBO includes: ONE Fly Rod(9 ft, 5/6 weight, 4 pc rod),ONE Fly Reel(size:5/6), 100 FT Fly Line, backing and leader, ONE rod case, ONE fly box, 12 PCS flies,spare leader, zinger and nipper,ONE Carrier Case,Very easy to carry aroud
- THE ROD: 4 sections designed medium fast action fly fishing rods, fly rods made from carbon fiber, durable and extra light weight, Metal adjustable fishing reels seat, texture, simple and firm.Mid flex IM8 graphite design, aluminum reel seat, stainless steel stripper guide with SiC ring, stainless steel single foot snake guides and hook keeper. 7” western-style grip made with high quality cork and compressed cork trim rings helps casting accuracy,avoids fatigue
- THE REEL: This fly reel is made of CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum alloy,larger CNC hollow design makes the reel lighter than ordinary ones.2+1 Ball Bearings and 1:1 Gear Ratio, One-way roller bearing engages drag in one direction,Strong All-aluminum construction
- The combo includes everything that you will need to start fly fishing: A convenient zippered case helps you carry everything when you go fishing. Freshwater fly reel for multi-species fishing in rivers, lakes, streams, creeks.，Ideal for all around fly fishing species such as Trout, Grayling, Salmon and other predatory fish
- FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY: If Any Problem about The Product,Please Contact Us Firstly and Our Customer Service Will Solve It for You Soon.Your reel has been set at the factory for left-hand retrieve. If you want convert your reel to right-hand retrieve, please contact us for guidance
- FLY FISHING POLE AND REEL COMBO - This fishing rod travel case comes with an 8-foot 3-piece fly rod, graphite reel seat with stainless-steel guides, 5/6 fly fishing reel, 45-feet of line, 9-feet of Nylon 4x tapered leader, 2 dry flies, and a carry case.
- QUALITY AND COMFORT - This fishing rod and reel combo includes an easy-cast 6/7 weight fly rod with a fiberglass body and an EVA Foam handle, giving anglers a comfortable and secure grip. The fly rod also features a built-in hook keeper for added safety.
- FISHING ROD CASE FOR TRAVEL - This fishing kit and its accessories fit neatly into the included fishing rod travel case letting you conveniently store all your angling equipment between uses and easily transport your gear to the next fishing adventure.
- GREAT BEGINNER FLY FISHING KIT - Ideal for beginners, adults, and youth anglers alike, this fly fishing rod combo set makes an excellent gift. It comes with suggested tips and techniques to help amateurs get out on the water and start casting like a pro.
- PRODUCT DETAILS - Materials: Fiberglass, Graphite, Stainless-Steel, EVA Foam. Dimensions: Fully Assembled Rod: (L) 8'; Reel: (L) 3.25" x (W) 3.25" x (H) 1.25"; Carrying Case: (L) 35" x (W) 7". Color: Black.
- DESIGNED for a WORKING HORSE: We want to make a durable rod that can withstand very hard using. a fast but still crisp, middle-to-tip action rod
- EXCLUSIVE MAXLINQ II BLANK TECHNOLOGY: Pure IM8 30T carbon fiber. With mixed 5 layers of carbon including Reinforced Muscle carbon layer for at least 25% increase in strength but 15% lighter in weight. We sacrifice a little weight to make a very much more strong rod
- DISTANCE and PRESENTATION: A medium-fast action design rod blank to excel in distance and presentation. Slim taper engineered to be smooth and powerful, high efficiency loading, all for easy long distance casting.
- HIGH STANDARD SMOOTH GUIDES: MaxSelect Ceramic insert Stripping Guides and Ultra lightweight Hard Chromed stainless steel snake guides and Over-sized tip loop for smoothest longer casting
- PURE CORK HANDLE and REEL SEAT: Pure AA+ Contoured Cork Handle for comfortable gripping and also helpful for casting. High Density machined aluminum reel seat with two up-locking rings with K-Carbon Woven Graphite Spacer for reliable fixing of the reel foot. And will tolerate saltwater environment
- A FRESH START: Jump in feet first and give something new a try with these fly fishing rod & reel combos. They are ideal for beginners or experienced anglers who are looking to give fly fishing a shot.
- 8' 3-PIECE FISHING ROD: Graphite blank for a lightweight rod with increased sensitivity. 7 guides help guide your line and prevent insert pop-outs. Cork rod handle offers enhanced reactivity when a fish bites.
- SIZE 44322 FLY COMBO REEL: This lightweight 1094 graphite reel has a cork grip designed for Right/Left handed anglers to help you keep fighting the fish on your terms.
- RECOVERY 8" | 20.3cm for every turn of the crank. Gear ratio of 1.1:1. Kit comes with 25 yards of level fly line and braided dacron backing for stability with larger species.
- 5WT LINE RATING for the ideal entry point into the world of fly fishing.
- Forgiving yet durable two-piece fiberglass blank
- Cork grip offers traditional feel
- Line flows freely through aluminum-oxide guides
- Length: 8'
- Reel Seat- Aluminum w/Cherry wood
Best Fly Fishing Rods Buying Guide
Before choosing the best fly fishing rod you should consider following options:
1. Fly Rod Action: A fly rod’s action determines the speed and ease with which the line is retrieved.
A fast action rod provides more line control and casts a longer line. It is ideal for anglers targeting large trout in a fast-flowing stream.
A medium or moderate action rod is ideal for most freshwater angling situations. It allows for a good balance between line control and ease of casting.
A slow action rod is ideal for fishing in a stillwater, such as a pond or lake.
2. Fly Rod Taper: The taper of a fly rod determines how the rod behaves when cast and afterwards.
A slow taper results in a softer, more relaxed feel, while a fast taper results in a stiffer action.
A fly rod’s taper also determines the amount of energy the rod can store when casting. This determines the distance the fly can travel.
A short, thick fly line is ideal for anglers targeting big fish in a fast-flowing stream.
Longer, thinner lines are ideal for stillwater angling.
3. Fly Rod Length: Fly rods are available in a wide range of lengths, with some anglers preferring shorter and others longer.
A shorter rod allows the angler to have more control over the fly and line, while a longer rod allows the angler to cast further.
A short fly rod is ideal for accurate casts over short distances. A longer fly rod is ideal for casting over long distances.
4. Fly Rod Power: Fly rods are available in a wide range of powers. A fly rod’s power is often determined by the length of the blank, which is the visible part of the rod.
A lighter-powered fly rod is easier to cast but has less control, while a heavier-powered fly rod is harder to cast but allows for more line control.
A medium-powered fly rod is a good all-round option.
What else you should know about fly fishing rods
1. What are the different types of fly fishing rods?
There are four different types of fly fishing rods: spinning, baitcasting, trolling, and jigging.
2. What are the different parts of a fly fishing rod?
The different parts of a fly fishing rod are the tip, the butt, the midsection, the ferrules, and the handle.
3. How do I choose the right fly fishing rod for me?
There are many different types of fly fishing rods, so choosing the right one for you depends on your personal preferences. You should consider the type of fish you want to catch, the type of water you’ll be fishing in, and your budget.
4. How do I care for my fly fishing rod?
Your fly fishing rod should be cleaned and lubricated regularly. The best way to clean your rod is to use a mild soap and warm water. You can also use a soft cloth to wipe down the rod. After cleaning, you should lubricate the rod with a light oil.
5. How do I cast a fly fishing rod?
Casting a fly fishing rod is a bit different than casting a traditional fishing rod. When you cast a fly fishing rod, you want to keep your wrist relatively stiff and use a sweeping motion with your arm. You also want to keep the rod tip fairly low to the water.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best fly fishing rods. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best fly fishing rods will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.