As a beginner fly angler, there is hardly anything as tasking as choosing a fly fishing rod to purchase. The importance of the fly fishing rod to your fishing explineerience makes it crucial for you to make the right choice.
On the other hand, the presence of many fly rod products on the market makes it confusing to settle for one. As such, you need all the help that you can get to choose a suitable fly fishing rod. This is why we have made a list of the five best beginner fly fishing rods.
Our Top Picks
5 Best Beginner Fly Fishing Rods
- Best Overall Beginner Fly Fishing Rod – Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
- Best High-End Beginner Fly Fishing Rod – Redington Classic Trout
- Best Beginner Fly Fishing Combo – Maxmatch Fly Fishing Combo
- Best Mid-Range Beginner Fly Fishing Rod – Moonshine Fly Fishing Rod
- Best Budget Beginner Fly Fishing Rod – Temple Fork Outfitters Fly Fishing Rod
1. Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
Best Overall Beginner Fly Fishing Rod
- Free U.S. Shipping
Key Features
- Made of graphite.
- Medium-fast action fly rod.
- 25-year warranty.
The Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod is one that is designed for beginner fly fishing. Coming from one of the fly rod brands in Orvis, you can be sure of getting quality. Made of graphite, it is a strong fly fishing rod that is sturdy and durable.
The fly rod comes in both freshwater and saltwater models, to cater for different fishing conditions. Measuring 5wt and 9ft with medium-fast action, it is a great fly fishing rod to hone your skills as a beginner angler.
With the size of the rod, you can be sure to have no trouble fly fishing at small rivers as well as bigger ones.
2. Redington Classic Trout
Best High-End Beginner Fly Fishing Rod
- MODERATE ACTION: This freshwater rod’s moderate action…
- UNMATCHED COMFORT: The lightweight blank and forgiving…
- CLASSIC DESIGN: You are sure to love the combination of dark…
Key Features
- Medium-fast action fly rod.
- Portable design with alignment dots for quick setup.
- It comes with a nylon tube for easy transportation.
The Redington Classic Trout is a fly fishing rod that caters to all your needs as a beginner fly angler. This fly fishing rod comes with a lightweight blank and medium-fast action that allows you all the flexibility that you need while casting.
With its rosewood reel seat insert and the dark clay brown blank, the rod is pleasing to the eyes. Other features include titanium oxide stripping guides and a custom-machined reel seat.
For easy transportation, it comes with a nylon tube. This fly rod also comes with a full lifetime warranty.
3. Maxmatch Fly Fishing Combo
Best Beginner Fly Fishing Combo
- COST PRICE SALES –We offer this full kit with…
- ONE-YEAR-WARRANTY and LIFETIME Repairing Warranty – M…
- EXCLUSIVE MAXLINQ ROD TECHNOLOGY – Pure IM7 24T plus 30T…
Key Features
- Crafted with the exclusive maxlinq rod technology.
- Comes with a pre-loaded aluminum reel.
- Comes with lures and protective cases.
As a beginner fly angler, buying a fly fishing combo kit is a convenient way to start your career. Most fly fishing combos typically come with a fly rod and reel, while some might come with a fly line, leader, and even tippet.
The Maxmatch Fly Fishing Combo is crafted with the exclusive maxlinq rod technology giving you a strong and reliable rod.
The reel which is made of aluminum is lightweight and comes with a smooth disc drag system. The combo also lures, a fly box as well as a rod bag for easy transportation.
4. Moonshine Fly Fishing Rod
Best Mid-Range Beginner Fly Fishing Rod
- High Quality Construction – Performance, higher modulus…
- Extra Tip Included – Each Drifter II comes with two rod tip…
- Its in the Details – SiC strippping guides, metallic copper…
Key Features
- Made of graphite.
- It comes with fly rod tube.
- It is a medium-action fly fishing rod.
The Moonshine Fly Fishing Rod is a reliable fly fishing rod for all fly anglers, and particularly beginner fly anglers.
Made of graphite, it is a sturdy rod that makes your casting a stress-free task. The high-grade AAA cork grips make for the comfortable handling of your rod.
This ensures that you can fish for long hours without any trouble. For the protection of the fly rod, a canvas tube comes with the fly rod.
5. Temple Fork Outfitters Fly Fishing Rod
Best Budget Beginner Fly Fishing Rod
- GREAT FLY FISHING ROD – Whether as a great gift for the…
- HIGH PERFORMANCE – The foundation of the NXT Black Label fly…
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION – The NXT Black Label fly rods are a…
Key Features
- It comes with stainless steel snake guides and aluminum oxide stripping guides.
- The locking reel seat.
- It is a medium-action fly fishing rod.
If you are looking for a fly fishing rod on a tight budget, then the Temple Fork Outfitters Fly Fishing Rod is one to check out. It is a sturdy fly fishing rod that is suitable for both saltwater and freshwater angling. With aluminum reel seats, setting up your fishing line is sure to be an easy task.
The handle allows for comfortable handling for long fishing exercises. A medium-action fly, you will be sure to improve your casting with this rod.
Things to Consider When Buying Beginner Fly Rods
As mentioned earlier, there is a wide range of fly fishing rods on the market that serve different purposes.
This is why it is important to know the qualities to look out for, in order to make an informed choice as a beginner fly angler.
Cost
The cost of the fly rod determines the quality that you get. The higher the price, the higher the technicality of the rod. As a beginner fly angler, you do not need an expensive rod. Expensive rods come with high technicality.
You need something simple that will help you improve your skills. You also do not want to get something that is too cheap, as the quality might be inferior. The value of the rod should be your main consideration.
Line Weights
The line weight of a fly rod determines the type of fish and water that you can fish in. When dealing with big fish and a large river, you need a heavy rod to deal with the strong currents.
As a beginner fly fisherman, it is best to go for a 4-5wt fly rod. This line weight is suitable for a wide range of fish species while providing you with the sensitivity needed to work your line.
This rod weight works for small streams as well as large rivers. You also get to maintain a casting distance suitable for you as a beginner angler.
Action
The rod action of your fly rod determines the amount of flexibility that you enjoy while casting. For beginner anglers, a slow action rod or medium-fast action rod offers the most flexibility, while providing better feedback as well.
This helps you to practice casting easily, enabling you to get better at it in no time.
Durability
You do not want to spend money buying multiple fly rods in the space of months. This is why it is important to purchase a durable fly rod that can withstand the elements.
Purchase a fly rod with a track record of being durable and long-lasting.
Length
The rod length is another thing to consider before choosing a fly rod as a beginner angler. A 9’ length rod is suitable for beginners for two major reasons. Rods shorter than 9’ will limit you to small water bodies.
You want a rod that makes casting in small and bigger water easy and straightforward. Also, with a 9’ length rod, you can practice different casting styles with ease.
Conclusion
Choosing the right fly fishing rod goes a long way in determining how much you enjoy your fishing experience.
Ensure to look out for factors like the length, weight, and action of your fly rod, in order to make the right choice. It is also crucial that you match your fly rod with suitable gear.
Your fly reel, line, tippet, and leader must also be top-notch. You can get your flies from a local fly shop and get straight to enjoying your fly fishing.
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