The best trout fly rods for streams, rivers and lakes

Taylor Grote, Unsplash

Premium Choice		Sage pulse	Check the price
The best overall		Redington Classic	Check the price
Small flow rod		Redington Butter Stick	Check the price

Without a good fly fishing rod, you won’t be able to catch trout, period. Trout can be particularly finicky and if you splatter your fly in the water due to an ill-fitting fly rod, chances are you’ll spook a fish that won’t eat for a good 20 minutes. This is especially true for dry fly fishing. But a good fly rod will be able to do more than dry cast. The fish are primarily bottom feeders, so the fly rod must also be capable of casting larger nymphs and streamers.

The type of fly rod you get for trout fishing requires a few additional considerations. You need to get the right size rod to match the size of the flies and trout you are targeting. The trout fly rod will be sensitive enough to protect your leader and tip material from breaking, while still providing enough power to land the fish quickly, especially if you practice catch and release. Here’s what you need to know to get the right trout fly rod.

• Weight: The first thing to consider before buying a fly rod is the weight of the rod. The weight of a rod is more or less an estimate of how strong the rod is. Heavier rods can cast larger flies further and tire out big fish quickly. Lighter weight rods are better for fine presentations of small flies. The most versatile weight fly rod for trout fishing is a 5-weight. This size rod makes for a reliable one-rod quiver that you can use to fish everything from small alpine streams to tailwaters and lakes. But a 5-weight is good at everything but specializes in nothing. If you want a fly rod for small water (and small trout) go with a 2 or 3 weight. If you are casting big stripers or moose for big browns, use a 7 or 8 weight rod.
• Rod-Length: Rod length can vary a foot or two at each rod weight. Longer rods are better for casting reels and managing long leaders. They allow you to easily adjust your line and manage deep nymph rigs. Shorter rods tend to be lighter and will cast better, especially in windy conditions, although you won’t be able to adjust the line as easily. Short rods also give you more torque when fighting lunkers.
• action: The action of the fly rod is how quickly it recovers after being bent during a medium or medium fast action fly rods are versatile and effective. Faster action rods allow you to cast further than slow action rods and give you extra speed when fighting fish. Slow action rods require more patience when casting, but they protect your tip better and offer the ability for greater casting control.
• Glass or graphite?: Graphite rods are the most popular type of fly rod today. They are strong and light. They usually create quick action rods that allow you to throw away and fight with power. Fiberglass rods are a more traditional style of fly rod. They offer greater sensitivity and slower action, although they tend to be heavier than graphite rods. For fishing small trout streams, glass rods are a great option.

Our picks for the best trout fly rods on Amazon

Top Pick Overall: Redington Classic Trout

Premium Pick: Sage Fly Fishing – PULSE Fly Rod

Great for small currents: Redington Butter Stick (260-3) – 2 Weight, 6′ Fly Fishing Rod

Also consider: 9-foot, 4-piece, 5/6-weight butterfly fly rod and reel-to-reel rod combo starter pack

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