Is there really such a thing as the "best" fly rod? Here at Curated, we only believe that there's a best fly rod for you. Every day, Curated experts make personalized recommendations on the best fly fishing rods for anglers of all ages, sizes, and skill levels - from beginners to more seasoned fly fishers. This list compiles all of their most recommended fly rods. Want your own free, personalized recommendations on the best fly fishing gear for you? Be sure to chat with a Fly Fishing expert here on Curated.
- Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
- Orvis Recon® Fly Rod
- Temple Fork Outfitters NXT Black Label Fly Rod & Kit
- Temple Fork Outfitters Pro 2 Fly Rod
- Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod
- Temple Fork Outfitters Blue Ribbon Fly Rod
- Redington Vice Rod w/ Tube
- Sage Foundation Fly Rod
- Redington Predator Fly Rod w/ Tube
- Sage Sonic Rod
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
All around trout! This is more of a medium-action rod, so requires a bit slower casting stroke. Feels great for those who enjoy that flex!
Great entry-level option! Versatile rod for varied techniques and also comes with a great 25 year warranty from Orvis!
All around trout fishing, awesome fast action, and under Orvis' 25 yr warrenty!
Orvis Recon® Fly Rod
The Recon is a workhorse. Can handle big flies in the wind and also give a delicate presentation with the smallest of dry flies. Great for all-around fishing for any level, from beginner to expert.
All around trout - even works well as a light tackle bass rod! Fast action rod with incredible accuracy - throws all sizes of dry fly and excels with smaller streamers and nymph rigs.
Accuracy at long distances, with enough backbone to control the brutes you'll find in freshwater like bass, carp, and musky. Also great for smaller snook, bones, and permit.
Temple Fork Outfitters NXT Black Label Fly Rod & Kit
Nice mid-fast action rod options from TFO. Great accuracy and rebound with a great and comfortable handle shape. This package includes a reel, line, and leader!
Temple Fork Outfitters Pro 2 Fly Rod
This rod is very powerful but also casts very smooth. It has a medium fast action that can handle long distance casting. Temple Fork rods have a lifetime warranty and if you ever have to put in a claim they are a great company to work with.
This rod is a stud for medium to larger waters, where you're really trying to cast out to those farther fish, and can bring them in without too much stress.
Good do all rod, great for budget conscious buyers.
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod
The classic trout is a great rod to learn how to fly fish on. It performs great and casts really smoothly, and for the price, is a great bargain for mid-tier quality at entry-level cost.
8 foot 3 weight rod is great for small streams and ponds. Super fun to catch fish on! Very easy casting rod! Awesome price and packs down to 6 pieces! Good for trout, panfish, and bass.
8'6" 3WT. A solid Redington rod. Entry level, but gets the job done. Good for trout.
Temple Fork Outfitters Blue Ribbon Fly Rod
If your gear priority is quality then look no further! TFO is arguably the best in the industry when it comes to offering a quality rod at EVERY price point. Built with quality components ensures its durability and performance. Aside from the product itself TFO's customer service is second to none. should you for any reasons have issues with your rod or perhaps have an accident out on the river they will ensure they resolve the issue ASAP and have you back out on the water in no time! If a perfect presentation or mending abilities to keep that perfect dead drift is your thing then this is your rod!
Redington Vice Rod w/ Tube
Do-all work horse of a rod, will handle everything from hopper dropper and heavy nymph rigs, to small to medium size streamers.
A great, fast-action rod to really cast out bigger flies. Good for big water and big fish.
Saltwater species like stripers and redfish, freshwater salmon, and steelhead.
Sage Foundation Fly Rod
Sage is the industry leader in quality manufacturing. This rod can handle just about anything you throw at it. Beautiful small dry fly presentation? It can handle it. Need to launch a big wooly bugger? It can handle it. Multi-application fast action rod is good for catching rainbow trout on small streams or lakes. Depending on weight size can also catch the biggest browns in the Missouri river.
A great introductory fly rod from a reputable USA-based company. 9' 5wt rod will be perfect for catching trout, bass, and sunfish.
Anglers who want to take their game to the next level of performance. Great for all trout situations.
Redington Predator Fly Rod w/ Tube
This is an excellent value rod with the power to cast heavy tapered lines with big flies and control hard-fighting species. It's outfitted with saltwater components to hold up to the corrosion of the saltwater environment. Perfect rod for heavy streamer fishing, light flats and inshore species, and warm water species like carp and bass.
This rod has a fast action that packs a lot of power. The fast action allows this rod to cast heavy lines and large flies with ease. This rod can be used in fresh and saltwater settings. This rod is available in one or two handed versions along with the option of having a fighting butt that helps reduce arm fatiuge when fighting big fish.
This is Redington's rod that is specifically built for big game and saltwater species. A really great rod for chucking streamers.
Sage Sonic Rod
Nice light versatile dry fly rod. Very technical set up. Great for small dry fly presentations. Smaller trout but still have enough backbone for larger fish on lighter tippets.
Accurate casting in all conditions, great response and control. Good delivery for delicate flies but enough stiffness to swing some streamers if need be.
The Sage Sonic is a versatile rod with fish landing power whether your fishing dries, or nymphs on the 3wt.
Temple Fork Outfitters LK Legacy Fly Rod
TFO makes great quality rods that also have a great warranty! This 8 weight is a 9-foot, 4-piece carbon fiber rod with full cork grips. It is a great rod for throwing big poppers and catching big bass. It is also good for some salmon fishing. This rod is built for bigger fish: bass, salmon, northern pike, etc. It is a fast action rod which is great for long, powerful casts.
Temple Fork Outfitters Axiom II-X Fly Rod
This rod would be awesome for fishing for red drum. A 10 wt would be able to keep up with the bigger ones. A lot of people like to use this size of rod as well for king mackerel and other even tarpon if you go after them. It is a little on the lighter side if you hook into a huuuuge tarpon but you could go as small as a 9wt for tarpon if you really want to and just fight it good all day. This should be a great rod for the red drum and Mackerel.
Snappy fast-action rod picks up and chucks line and large flies effortlessly, and recovers/dampens well to fight fish. Great for inshore saltwater species and large freshwater/anadromous fish like Steelhead, Salmon, Pike and Musky.
Great for all trout applications and can double as a fly rod for bass if ever you pursue them.
Orvis Helios™ 3D Fly Rod
All Orvis Helios rods are designed with accuracy in mind. This rod is considered one of the most accurate rods Orvis has ever build while maintaining amazing rod strength. This is rod is perfect for targeting salmon, stripers, and any other large aggressive game fish.
High-performing rod with exceptional accuracy and all-around fast action performance. This will put the fly right where you want it (pending your technique of course). The 3D has a bit more backbone for casting into the wind. Bonus, this rod is a special edition Blue
The "D" is for distance - the rod with the power to get your fly there and the accuracy to drop it right where you want it.
Orvis Clearwater® 6-Piece Fly Rod
Not only does it have the length to reach out and control drifts and the power to reach far banks, but it also has the line weight to handle big bass. Firing a big topwater won't be an issue!
Powerful yet very versatile rod that can handle a wide array of challenges from small dries to streamers and wind.
No reel here - just the rod. Allows you to mix and match reels.
Orvis Helios™ 3F Fly Rod
This is the ideal setup to hunt down big predatory fish like pike. You need a big heavy rod that can generate enough power and energy to load and cast big, heavy flies to target those toothy critters. With pike fish, you're looking at making a lot of casts, which can wear out your arm over the course of a day fishing. This is a 7wt rod that feels more like a 5wt in your hand, which will help you save your arm from fatigue, so when you finally hook a pike, you've got the strength and energy to wrangle it.
Great for dry flies as well as nymphing. Can definitely throw some smaller to medium-sized streamers on this set up but will deliver small to med sized presentations perfectly.
This rod can be used for just about anything from streams to salt water.
Temple Fork Outfitters Signature 2 Fly Rod
Casting longer distances and in wind. In my experience, TFO rods are faster action (stiffer), and do a great job in windy places such as Wyoming. You can use this rod for dries, nymphs, and streamers, and can probably get away with casting some larger flies here.
The 9' 5 Wt is a great do it all weight and length for a variety of trout situations - dries, medium-light nymph rigs, and even small streamers. A perfect first fly rod that has enough performance to impress even the most accomplished casters.
All types of freshwater fishing. Enough backbone in the rod to fight all types of fish comfortably.
Redington Topo Combo
This Combo has everything you need to get started. It comes with a great Redington rod backed with a good warranty. The reel is a Crosswater reel with a large arbor frame that is unbeatable for the price. And to top it off, it comes with line, a tapered leader, and some flies to get started. Great for beginners and new to the sport enthusiasts. The best way to get into the sport!
This is an all-inclusive kit - rod, reel, fly line, & tippet. It specializes in moderate sized fish across a spectrum of fisheries, fresh to salt. Practice on your casting skills.
A good entry-level rod and reel that's great for all types of trout.
Sage Payload Fly Rod
Fantastic rod for Musky/Pike, with plenty of backbone but also balanced enough to cast all day.
Great saltwater rod with a long strong cast. Good for casting in the wind.
Sage Trout LL Fly Rod
For anglers who like more a sensitive rod that isn't as stiff. Handles dry fly presentations and light tippet really well.
Redington Trace Fly Rod
The Trace is designed for trout anglers, and offers refined medium-fast action that will provide fantastic accuracy and sensitivity. Good for fishing dry flies and small nymphs.
9' 6 WT. Designed for chasing trout. This is one of Redington's new rods. Sturdy, but it will present light flies with elegance and ease.
Streamers, Nymphs, Dries. An all around great trout rod.
Temple Fork Outfitters NXT Black Label Fly Rod
TFO has made one of the most beginner friendly rods with the Black Label series. The TFO Black Label kit is an excellent setup that is used by many fly schools for teaching the fundamentals yet will still have enough performance to keep you happy for a long time. The rod is a versatile, medium-fast action that will suit a lot of casting styles and flies. The included NXT BLK Reel is a solid reel that will perform as intended and comes loaded with backing, a weight-forward floating fly line, and leader/tippet.
Redington Strike Nymphing Fly Rod
Dry flies, nymphs, wet flies and smaller streamers. This is a great rod at a friendly price. A little extra length will allow you to push those casts a little further especially in open backcast areas or still water fishing. You will get awesome accuracy from this rod and a warranty program that really keeps consumers in mind.
That extra length for you and for the lakes and big rivers - extra reach for extra distance and control on the water.
Redington Crux Fly Rod
This is Redington's high end rod with all their new technologies- Angled key cork grip for casting all day, thinner blank for cutting through air and new line speed taper for effortless mid range casts.
Faster action rod that cast way above its price range. Perfect for drys and nymphs. Has enough back bone for bead head nymphs, and is very accurate in tight spaces.
Sage Igniter Fly Rod
Great rod for windy conditions, heavy rigs, and bulky sink tips. One of the most powerful rods on the market. That being said, this rod has plenty of finesse.
Windy conditions, long casts and line carry, accuracy and loop control
Powerful, long, accurate casts in bad conditions.
Orvis Clearwater® Two-Handed Fly Rod
Great medium action action rod that handles small streams really well. Has great balance and power to handle small dry flies and large streamers as well.
Perfect tool for steelheading. Allows you to swing flies or nymph with ease.
Orvis Superfine Glass Fly Rod
If you're a nerd and read fly fishing magazines like I do, you'll see the Orvis Superfine Glass consistently awarded "#1 Glass Rod" year after year. Nothing can beat it in terms of accuracy at close range, precision, delicate fly placement/presentation, and a superior bend when that fighter is hooked. This makes it the go-to glass rod for seasoned anglers on small streams.
This rod is great for sight casting. Most sight casting is done in flats or for tailing reds. This rod will fair very well for you in a sight casting situation. Maybe even in a salmon stream as well.
Highly accurate, loads well in tight quarters. Great for a small, wild stream.
Sage Dart Fly Rod
Good rod for mountain streams. Accurate, good action when you have room for a back cast.
Great delivery of small flies on small water and sensitivity for ultra light fights.
Sage X Spey Fly Rod
Sage Konnetic HD goes through the to the lower sections as well - allowing for easier and more efficient load and carry through the casting stroke. The shafts significantly enhanced recovery and crisper tip stop optimize line speed to deliver long, smooth casts. The decreased vertical movement & vibrations make for a more accurate and efficient presentation.
Temple Fork Outfitters Tough Fly Rod
Excellent rod for the saltwater or hard-charging fresh water species - pike, salmon, steelhead.
Redington Minnow Combo
The Redington Minnow is specifically designed for younger anglers with a shorter length (8'0") and a medium action. This is a great rod to improve casting techniques, but it has enough performance and power to keep you satisfied as you become an expert caster. And although this rod is designed for anglers of shorter stature, this has enough power to cast a wide variety of flies for trout, panfish, and bass. This is a quality, affordable 8' 5 weight for anglers of any age!
Curated Experts don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. All of their opinions are their own and unbiased. Want to learn more about our experts? Check out the video or view some of their profiles to learn more!
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