Last updated on January 5th, 2024.
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Most fly fishermen start out fishing for trout. I was one of them.
Trout are widely spread across the globe and one of the most entertaining species to catch on a fly rod. Most fishermen will probably target browns and rainbows when starting out but there are also cutthroat, marble and sea trout (technically a brown trout). What do all of these species of trout have in common? You can target them with a trout fly rod. In my eyes, a #5 rod of about 9′ is the gold standard for trout fishing. But as techniques and technologies have evolved in recent years, there are a few other options when it comes to trout fishing as well nowadays. In this big guide I want to give you an overview of the different styles and techniques you can use to target trout and show you some of my favorite rods for each setup. Let’s dive right in.
Disclaimer: All products in this guide are independently researched by our team. We only recommend products we believe in and never get paid for the reviews. Learn more about our review process here.
Table of Contents:
An Introduction to Trout Fly Rods
11 Best Trout Fly Rods Quick Answer List
Best Single Hand Fly Rods for Trout Reviewed
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5 wt as the Gold Standard of Trout Fly Rods
Like I mentioned above, I would consider a single handed fly rod in the #5 class and a length of 9′ to be the benchmark for all trout fishing. With such a rod, you can fish a weight forward line with dry flies or streamers, and even a nymph rig or swing a wet fly. For all these setups you can size up to a 6 weight rod, for example if you’re fishing for sea trout in windy conditions or if the river you’re fishing for trout is rather wide and holds big fish. You can also size down to a 4 weight or even a 3 weight if you’re targeting smaller trout in creeks and streams. If you’re looking for an all-round rod, go for a #5 in the 9′ range.
Now I also want to introduce you to two more style for trout fishing that have become increasingly popular in recent years: euro nymphing (often also called Polish or Czech nymphing) and trout spey fishing. In euro nymphing – as a rule of thumb – the rods used are usually #3 weights and even #2 weights and they are longer, usually ranging in the 11ft range. The reason for that is that you fish a nymph setup that requires increased sensitivity (hence the lighter rods) and a longer reach to present your fly in a dead drift (hence the extra length). For trout spey fishing you often also use rods in the #3 and #4 range but these rods are light double handed rods. As the name suggests you use a spey casting technique to present your flies (usually streamers or wet flies).
In this review I want to present you a few options for each category. To make sure there’s something for everyone I have included rods for different budgets. As a bonus I’ve also included a few fly rod combos in the end. These sets are perfectly balanced and include everything from a rod and reel, line and even a leader. Especially if you’re just starting out or don’t have a lot of experience yet, putting together the right gear can be an intimating task.
In case you feel unsure, make sure to write me an email here and I’ll try to help out.
Best Trout Fly Rods Quick Answer List
1. Best Value for Money: Redington Classic Trout
2. Best Beginner: Fenwick Aetos
3. Best Allrounder: Echo Trout
4. Best Intermediate: Orvis Clearwater
5. Best Traditional: Hardy Ultralite
6. Best Performance: Douglas Sky G
7. Best Premium: Sage R8 Core
8. Best Trout Spey: OPST Micro Skagit
9. Best Euro Nymphing Rod: Cortland Nymph Series
10. Best Beginner Fly Rod Combo: Redington Original
11. Best Intermediate Fly Rod Outfit: Cortland Guide
Entry Level Trout Fly Rods
In the first part of this ultimate buyer’s guide to the best fly rod for trout, we’ll be looking at entry level products that come in at under $250. The great thing about these trout fly rods is that they won’t break the bank but still offer great quality.
Redington Classic Trout 9’ 5wt
Why we picked it:
In the midst of all the expensive (and yes, even overpriced) options, the Redington Classic Trout 9’ 5wt stands out as one of the lowest-priced options. The rod is perfect for beginners and like most of the rods from the parent company, Far Bank Enterprises, it loads smoothly. The trout fly rod bends well, easy at the tip, getting stiffer towards the handles. The Redington Classic Trout 9’ 5wt weighs just 2.9 ounces, and its design gives it a lux appearance. An entry level rod that you can easily fish for a few years.
Fenwick Aetos 9’ 5wt
Why we picked it:
Fenwick has been producing fishing rods since the 50s. Chances are your grandfather may have used a Fenwick back in his days just as you do now. This low-priced model is built for functionality. The Fenwick Aetos 9’ 5wt has a reverse half wells fly grip and the handle is made of cork. The rod weighs around 3.44 ounces, which is a bit heavy for a 5wt but is perfect for the occasional cast. We found the fast action to be forgiving enough for beginners and intermediates.
Best Mid-Range Trout Fly Rods
In this second part of this review, we’ll take a look at mid-range trout fly rods which are great choices if you’ve left the beginner’s stages of fly fishing but don’t (yet) want to spend a fortune on a high-end one.
Echo Trout Fly Rod
Why we picked it:
The Echo Trout is a new mid-range rod from the American manufacturer that is meant to cover a lot of fishing situations you might encounter when hunting trout, ranging from nymphing to casting dry flies and streamers. The Echo Trout can do it all – with ease. This rod shines in the mid-range distances when accuracy and precision are required. Most intermediate fly fishermen and women often fish in the 30-50 yard range and that’s what this rod is built for.
The Echo Trout features components of high-end rods such as an anodised reel seat. The blue accent color gives it a fresh and modern look. If you are looking for an allrounder, go for the 9’0 #5. If you’re into nymphing you might consider going for the slightly longer 9’6″ #6 weight, which can also handle bigger streamers well.
Orvis Clearwater 9’ 5wt
Why we picked it:
The Orvis Clearwater may be on the lower end of the prices, but is a match for tough competition. The rod can be purchased with a reel and line and is a great rod for anglers of any skill set. We found the Orvis Clearwater not to be the lightest in the test, but the medium-fast rod, with its soft tip, does a great job of tippet protection, which will be valued by beginners.
The Orvis Clearwater comes in a variety of size and weight options. If you are looking for an allrounder go for the 9′ 5wt 4 pc. If you are mostly fishing small creeks and want to have fun even when catching smaller trout, you can opt for the 3wt.
Best Trout Fly Rod: High End
In this last part of the big trout fly rod report we want to focus on high-end rods. These are the best trout fly rods out there on the market. Yes, they are expensive but these are rods with a strong focus on performance and build quality. Hence, they will last you longer and accompany you on your adventures for years to come.
Hardy Ultralite
Why we picked it:
If you’re looking for a great combination of classy looks and a high-end modern trout rod, look no further than the Hardy Ultralite (read our in-depth review here). In my eyes, there’s no prettier blank color than the dark green Hardy one (you gotta see it in the sunlight to understand what I’m saying). Paired with a wooden reel seat, this is a stylish looking trout fly fishing rod.
Everything on this rod is high-end (as you can expect from a $900 rod). Starting off with the rod sock, the aluminum rod tube and the rod’s premium components such as the titanium recoil rings which help improve the shooting capabilities of the rod. In real life this means that your cast might just reach a few feet further to catch that finicky trout on the other bank.
Douglas Sky G Series 9’ 5wt
Why we picked it:
The Douglas Sky G Series 9’ 5wt was touted as one of the best trout fly rods on the market, and maybe even of all time in several shootouts and I have to agree. The rod’s blank is made of Graphene, which is one of the strongest materials in the world. But with just 5% of the density of steel, it is also very light. The Douglas features an understated dark greyish blank color that comes with pitch blank accents – a very minimalistic, yet stylish design.
What makes the Douglas Sky G Series 9’ 5wt stand out from the crowd is its very low weight: It weighs just 2.85 ounces. This makes the Sky G a great rod if you often put it long days of fishing. From my experience, the weight of a rod should not be underestimated. This rod is a great allrounder and – due to its low weight – it also works well for nymph setups.
Sage R8 Core
Why we picked it:
rAmerican manufacturer Sage recently premiered its brand new R8 Core (read our in-depth review here). It’s the successor of the widely popular Sage One. New rods are often praised are revolutionary even if they are just slight remakes of their predecessor. But with the Sage Core R8 I really think that Sage made a big step (all marketing jargon aside).
I got my hands on the #5 9ft and have to say that this rod really is a great combination of lightweight and power. The company’s Core technology ensures a fast-action combined with incredible feel. It’s a great rod to combine with a double taper fly line as it brings out its characteristics in a beautiful and smooth manner. I found that this rod is easy to load and shoots precisely even with very little pressure applied – and absolute joy to cast tight loops right where you want them to.
Yes, at more than $1,000 the R8 Core is expensive but it lives up to its promise to deliver a superior performance. What I also like about the R8 is its subtle, understated dark greyish blank color. As you would expect from a rod in this price range, it comes with a (white) aluminum tube to protect it. In case you break something, Sage provides a lifetime warranty for the first owner. In my eyes, the R8 is hands down one of the best all-round trout rods you can buy (if money is not an issue).
Best Spey Trout Fly Rod
Now that you’ve got a good overview of classic single hand trout fly rods from all price and performance ranges, we want to also give you a quick overview of so-called trout spey rods. This style of fly rods has become increasingly popular in recent years since it provides a relaxed and effortless way of fishing for trout especially on wider rivers. The trout spey technique is based on classic salmon spey styles but uses lighter and shorter rods. More and more manufacturers are getting into the game increasing your options to choose from.
Learning to use a two-handed rod can take the time to get used to. The jargon can be confusing and you may feel intimidated. Depending on the rod you start with, your experience at spey casting can either be frustrating or fun. Learning to spey cast with a trout spey rod is quite easy. You should consult a local instructor to learn the basics and can then practice on your own. We’re pretty sure you’ll like this kind of trout fishing. Here are a few quality trout spey rods to consider.
OPST Micro Skagit Trout Spey 10’4” 5wt
Why we picked it:
The OPST Micro Skagit two-handed rods (read our in-depth review here) have been designed to work with single-handed casts and double-handed casts as well. Whether you are on foot, finding your way through small and medium rivers, or fishing off a boat, the hybrid rod should be a part of your arsenal. The rod took five years to develop and is proof of Ed Ward’s vision.
The handles of the OPST Micro Skagit Trout Spey 10’4” 5wt are cigar-styled and offer a good grip on the rod. Its shorter length makes it perfect for overhead casting as well. This allows you to swing with a Skagit head, or opt for a dry fly line. The medium-fast action trout spey rod is perfect for trout and even smaller fish.
Euro Nymphing Rods for Trout
In case you’re into (euro) nymphing for trout (which can be deadly in many rivers), I want to show you my favorite nymphing rod out there.
Cortland Nymph Series
Why is this a great nymph rod you might ask. Here a couple of aspects that I really like about the Cortland nymph series. First off, this rod won’t break the bank which is a plus if you’re not sure yet how much you’re really going to fish euro style. Secondly, Cortland has been in the game for a century producing some of the best fly lines and tippets in the game. They have used that knowledge to craft a nymph rod with a very sensitive tippet which is crucial to detect the slightest nibble and take.
At 10’6″ (as a #3), the Nymph series rod has enough reach for bigger rivers but isn’t too long for tighter quarters as you will often encounter them in case you fish creeks and streams. And last but not least I am a fan of the rod’s weight distribution. It’s a little heavier in the butt section. What does that mean in real life? It means that your arms will tire a little later as the main part of the weight is distributed towards the handle which again will be closest to your body when fishing euro nymphing style. You get the point, this is a great nymph rod in case you want to target trout with this technique.
Best Trout Fly Rod Combos
If you are new to fishing, figuring out what the right setup is can seem daunting. In this case, you can opt for trout fly rod combos. The combo includes the rod and reel, the line, backing, and a tapered leader as well.
Junky combos do exist in the market and may include poor-quality components. But as time has passed, brands have released worthy combos that can be purchased. It is a lot of variety available online. But the increasing variety can make it tougher to choose what’s best for you. We have found two of the best combos in the market to make matters simpler for you.
Redington Original
Why we picked it:
The Original (Read our in-depth review here) is one of Redington’s new fly rod combos. The set comes in two weight classes: #5 for all kinds of trout fishing and an #8 for bigger predators. Both variants come as four piece rods at 9ft of length. At $199.99 you get a lot bang for your buck. The reel on the Original kit has a fine drag which means you’ll be able to handle even bigger fish with light tippets.
I also like the retro design on the Original series featuring a dark brown blank color paired with an aluminium reel seat which is a nice modern contrast to the classy look of the blank. The line on this combo is the RIO Mainstream which is one of RIO’s most popular trout lines since it’s easy to cast for beginners and intermediates thanks to its weight forward design.
Cortland Guide Fly Outfit
Why we picked it:
Here’s another great trout fly outfit: the Cortland Guide (read our in-depth review here). Cortland has a long tradition of producing some of the finest fly lines in the game and they recently also started manufacturing (nymph) rods. Now they just premiered their first fly rod combo and it turned out great.
We took it out to fish for some fall brownies in upstate New York (see photo below). At first glance you’ll realise this combo’s great minimalistic all black look featuring a dark blank, reel seat and reel – very cool and sleek. But it doesn’t stop here. The Cortland also shines when putting it to the test. Its taper is a little slower than the Redington Original which allows for delicate presentations at close and medium range, making this a great choice particularly for some dry fly trout fishing.
Conclusion on the Best Trout Fly Rods 2024
A trout fly rod is probably the most important fly rod in a fly fisherman’s arsenal and most likely the first fly rod you’ll own since you can fish for trout basically all across the globe. As we explained in this big buyer’s guide, a 5 weight fly rod is the way to go if you’re looking for an allrounder.
If you’ll only be fishing smaller streams and creeks, you can go for a #4 or even #3 fly rod for trout. Should your focus be on nymphing, the go for a slightly longer rod in the 10 to 11 ft range since these will give you an extra bit of range needed for this technique. If you want to up your game and explore trout spey casting, go for a light double-handed rod in the #3 to #4 range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best fly rod for trout fishing?
The best fly rod for trout fishing is a single hand 5 weight fly rod. 5 weight fly rods, often also called #5, are the gold standard when it comes to fly fishing trout. They usually come in a length of 9 feet. With such a rod you’ll be prepared for almost any trout fishing situation.
What makes a good trout fly rod?
Important features of a good trout fly rod are its length, action and backbone. The standard length for a trout fly rod is 9ft. The most common action nowadays is a medium fast action. This means that the fly rod’s blank does not flex all the way down to the handle (as a slow action would) making it easy for beginners and intermediates to cast with precision. The third aspect is the backbone of the rod which translates into its power when hooked into a big fish. Since trout are a powerful fish you need some strength in your rod to play and land them safely.
Is a 4 or 5 wt fly rod better for trout?
Generally speaking a #5 fly rod is ideal for trout fishing since it can handle almost any situation and has enough backbone to handle bigger fish. That being said, a #4 can be a great choice if you’re only fishing smaller rivers and streams for trout and want an extra bit of sensitivity. In that case you should go for the #4 rod.
