Selecting a fly rod for trout can be a daunting task with hundreds of options on the market and some rather technical terms that don’t always make sense.
We’re going to help make that process easier by breaking down the terms, why we use certain rods in certain situations and what style rod fits your home waters.
Our fly shop is in the heart of Missoula fly fishing, we’ve been outfitting anglers since 1987 for not only our home waters but anglers around the country and around the world for almost 4 decades.
Whether you’re fishing small creeks in the east to larger rivers in the northwest, we have rods that cover every situation from freshwater to saltwater.
Let’s get right into what fly rod fits your situation best and breakdown what some of these terms mean.
What Does Weight Mean For Fly Rods?
The fly rod weight doesn’t mean what it weighs in ounces but rather the strength and width of the rod.
The higher the number weight the stronger/thicker the rod is.
A 3 weight is a much lighter than a 10 weight fly rod.
Here’s a little breakdown of when and where to use different weight rods
- 2-3wt rods are best used for smaller creeks and small dry flies(size 14-22 flies). This rod size is preferred for dry flies, while casting nymphs and streamer flies are difficult.
- 4-5wt rods are best used for medium to larger streams with small to medium sized flies(size 10-22 flies). This rod size is preferred for dry flies and smaller nymph rigs. Casting larger nymph rigs and streamers can be done in a pinch, but not ideal.
- 5-6wt rods are best used for medium to larger rivers with larger flies(size 6-18 flies). This rod size is preferred for dry flies, nymphs and decent for casting streamers.
- 6-7wt rods are best used for medium to larger rivers with larger flies(size 2-12 flies). This rod size is preferred for larger dry flies, medium to large nymph rigs and larger streamers.
- 7-8wt rods are best used for medium to large rivers with larger streamers(size 2/0-8 streamer flies). This rod size is designed to cast heavy sink lines or floating lines with big streamers.
As you can see there is a bit of overlap with some of these rod weights.
The 5wt is the most common rod for trout fly fishing and is as close to a “do everything rod” as you will find. The 5wt can be used for small dries to small streamers and nymph rigs, from small streams to larger rivers.
The 2-3wt and 7-8wt range rods are more for specific applications.
The 2-3wt and even the 4wt rod is used for delicate presentations for spooky trout on smaller streams, while the 7-8wt has a lot more power to deliver large streamer flies on bigger water.
Why Do Fly Rods Come in Different Lenghts?
Like fly rod weights, fly rod lengths are made for different situations and tactics.
Shorter rods are typically used for smaller streams and dry flies.
Longer rods are typically used for larger streams for dries, nymphs and streamers.
Shorter rods are more accurate for small streams and tight spots.
Larger rods are a little less accurate but better for longer distance casting and easier to mend your fly line.
Here’s a breakdown on what lengths work best in different situations
- 6’6″ – 8′ length rods are best used for smaller creeks and smaller to medium size dry flies and nymphs(size 14-22 flies). Best for accuracy and casting into tight spots when streams with thick overgrowth vegetation makes casting a longer rod harder.
- 8’6″ – 10′ length rods are best used for medium to larger streams and small to larger dry flies, nymphs and streamers(size 2-22 flies). Best for distance and mending with ease when thick overgrowth vegetation is not an issue.
The most common length is 9′ for many different styles of streams.
In simple terms, if you’re fishing small creeks with a lot of brush, go with a shorter rod.
If you’re fishing medium to larger streams where vegetation is not an issue, go with a longer rod like a 9 footer.
What Does Fast Action Fly Rod Mean?
Fast action rods mean the rod flexes the least meaning it is faster to recover to straight a up and down position.
These rods are designed for power, not finesse like the medium to slow action rods.
Fast action rods are preferred for larger fish, larger flies and longer distance casting. Not necessarily deemed by the size of the stream you’re fishing. Although small streams usually have smaller fish, this isn’t always the case and small streams can have some monster trout in them.
The power of these fast rods are ideal when fishing large dry flies, large nymph rigs and streamers.
If you primarily fish an area that is often windy, a fast rod is the rod for you and makes punching through the wind much easier compared to slower rods.
What Does Slow Action Fly Rod Mean?
Slow action rods flex the most and takes a longer time to recover to the straight up and down position.
Slow rods bend throughout most of the rod, where faster rods bend throughout just the tip of the rod.
Slow action rods are preferred for smaller dries and light nymphs on any sized stream from small to large.
The slow action of these rods create a slower line speed allowing for more delicate softer presentations.
Rods that are slower in action also benefit the hook set on lighter tippet. Slower rods have a softer tip which helps as a shock absorber when setting the hook on light tippet.
Slow rods have been designed specifically for trout fly fishing and follows the more traditional design of trout fly rods.
But, this slower design does create a few drawbacks for different situations when trout fishing.
The disadvantages of slower rods are that they are more difficult to cast in the wind, hard to cast big dries and nymph rigs, and lacks the power to cast longer distances.
Does Any Of This Really Matter When Selecting A Fly Rod For Trout?
That all depends on you.
Fly fishing doesn’t have to be technical. It’s meant to be fun. Selecting a fly rod for trout can be as easy as pushing a button. Any rod weight and length will catch fish.
But, the technicalities of fly fishing is one of the reasons why this hobby is so much fun.
Learning how to fish efficiently and affectively has a lot to do with the gear you fish and ultimately results in the quality and quantity of fish you catch.
Fishing the correct gear will also help in cutting down some of the frustration that comes with fly fishing.
You have to ask yourself the question. Do you want to be someone who casually goes to the river and fishes a few times a year with your buddy?
If that’s the case, pick a simple rod/reel package like this one and go have some fun fishing!
Or are you the type of person that is always pushing your activites and knowledge of the hobby to the next level, strive to be better and spend the time to learn the ins and outs of your hobbies.
And if this is the case, it pays in quantity of fish caught and quality of fish to learn the Intricacies of the gear you fish, the water you fish and species you fish for.
Let’s Break It Down To What Waters You’ll Be Fishing On Your Home Waters
We’ve covered the why, when, and where.
Let’s take a look at the best fly rod options for trout on the market today from creeks to larger streams.
Here in our home town Missoula, MT, we have a wide variety of streams from small creeks you can jump over to larger rivers like the Clark Fork river that you would be hard pressed to swim across.
We’ve casted and put most of the rods on the market to the test and have decades of experience fishing and outfitting anglers for not only our streams here in Montana, but also outfitting many anglers for their home waters.
Here are our top recommendations for different situations.
Fly Rods For Small Creeks
Fly Rods For Larger Streams
$
995
.00
Click Here If You Want The Faster Model of Winston Which Is The Air 2
Looking For A Reel To Match Up With Your Fly Rod
Fly Reels are the least important part of your setup when targeting trout, while the rod and line are more crucial to your success.
Here at the Missoulian Angler fly shop, we always tell people to spend more on the rod and line and save money on the reel.
Of course it’s nice to have good quality gear with a lifetime warranty, so we’re going to give you a few options in different price ranges and let you decide which one is best for your budget.
Keep in mind that you want to match the weight of the rod to the weight recommendations of the reel.
Here are some of our favorite fly reels whether you’re fishing a fast to slow action rod, 7′ to 10′ length rod, for small creeks to larger rivers.
$
299
.99
Mid Priced Option – Our Favorite
Looking For A Fly Line To Match Up With Your Fly Rod and Reel
One of the most crucial parts of your fly fishing setup for Trout is Fly Line and not a place to cut corners on.
Trout Fly Lines For Creeks
$
99
.95
Designed For Slow/Medium Rods
$
129
.95
Designed For Fast Rods – Textured Line
Trout Fly Lines For Larger Streams
$
99
.99
Designed For Slow/Medium Rods
SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity
$
99
.95
Designed For Medium/Fast Rods
Want An Even Deeper Dive in to Fly Rods?
Here we take a look at the history of fly rods, design process and technology used.
