And the longer the rod, the more power you will get from casting, which can helpful when trying to hit a far-off hole or high stick nymphing. There are two versions of the Helios 3. This rod has medium sized loops that are very consistent. It’s a fast action fly rod that comes in line weights ranging from 5 lbs to 7 lbs. The best rod specifications for someone buying 1 rod & reel combo is a Medium Power, Fast Action rating. We’ve dedicated our entire lives to catching more, Fly rods are by far the most important piece of gear that we as fly anglers carry out to the river. The best 4-weight rods are superb at the short to medium distances, such as the Zephrus, the Pure, the Scott G-Series and the Orvis Helios 3F. For the 9ft 5wt Hardy Shadow, the weight is 2.9 oz. If you’re looking for a single rod that performs well in most situations, the Radian is a unique premium option. It’s not the most powerful rod on the market, not does it deliver the most delicate presentations. In addition, Winston’s latest generation of boron/graphite composite gives it significantly more casting power than most slower-action rods. More forgiving than a fast-action rod, a moderate action rod is somewhat flexible but also offers a good degree of stiffness. Graphite has largely stolen the show: it's lighter, dampens better, and has a higher tensile strength. A moderate or medium action rod is very versatile. Many different sizes of fly rods can be used for winter trout fishing, including long Euro nymph rods and light weight Spey rods. What are the downsides of the Sage X? But the Zephrus FWS is a really nice and unique rod that undercuts other high-end models in price. Redington is a brand renowned for creating quality beginner and intermediate fly rods. This is a medium action rod, and slower action rods like this SS have never performed well for us. But that doesn’t mean it has to be, and anyone can get out and learn without breaking the bank. It’s just not a soft-touch rod. Even at this reasonable price point, we would like to see St. Croix improve and become more competitive.See the St. Croix Imperial. This rod is purpose-built, and as the name implies, as a presentation rod for small streams and rivers where you need to lay it down lightly to avoid spooking the fish. The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. Yes, the Radian is about $95 more, but we think that jump in price is worth it for those who are planning on getting a lot of use out of their rod. The medium-fast action is solidly middle-of-the-road: the rod is powerful enough to cast reasonable distances but soft enough to land dry flies on smaller water. As an example, we love fishing the Middle Deschutes in Oregon. Action: Medium Weights: 3 to 10What we like: Cheaper and faster than the R.L. We think of the Sage Igniter as a specialty rod for those with a serious quiver: it’s built for when the weather and wind aren’t cooperating, but you still want to get out on the water. And even though the Nimbus is billed as a fast action rod, we put it squarely in the medium category—it feels especially underpowered when fishing heavier flies. A relatively new development in the world of trout fishing has been the inclusion of two-handed spey and switch rods. So if you are the type of angler that loves hiking up remote tributaries with little need for long casts, you’ll likely enjoy a nimble 7 or 8 footer. Third fly rod on the list, is the Temple Fork Outfitters Axiom II-X. It has a nice, easy casting motion that’s perfect to learn and grow with. They are performance, quality, weight and warranty. This is true with one caveat: don’t bring a knife to a gun fight. The vast majority of fish feeding occurs below the surface. It has a lot of power in its mid section and the blank even features embedded kevlar. But if you want to give it a go, be our guest. Quality wise, the Axiom II-X is very durable. We hate to think about our nice fishing rods sitting bent in a tube all winter long. The most important thing is that the handle feels comfortable in your hand: after all, you are going to be gripping it for hours at a time. Experienced casters will love the power and distance in the right circumstances, but we certainly wouldn’t recommend this rod for beginners or even most intermediates. Action may be described as very fast, fast, medium-fast, medium or slow (sometimes referred to as classic), but that doesn’t begin to explain why action is important or how different actions are better suited for different situations.. The Finesse is made for smaller waters, but its lighter weight makes it more manageable than glass, and faster tip recovery dramatically improves both power and sensitivity. In terms of quality, the Drifter Series is very durable. But if you want one rod to do it all, it likely would be a 5-weight rod that is around 9 feet in length. Remember that a fly rod is designed to cast a line of the same weight. The weight of the Echo Trout is in the same range as most of the other rods on this list, 3.1oz with the 9′ 5wt. This rod comes in line weight sizes ranging from 5-12 lbs, all costing less than $400. The next best fly rod that you can purchase for less than $400 is the Redington Vice. It is made of high-quality IM7 Graphite for that extra durability, smoothness, and performance. If you are bothered by a couple of additional ferrules, we congratulate you on your fantastic casting abilities, but we don’t envy you trying to cram that rod tube into the overhead bin of an airplane. CHECK PRICE ON AVENTURON    CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON. Performance wise, the Redington Vice is better at long ranges, compared to short ranges. These rods are all designed to have the best accuracy from 30-50 feet out, regardless of weather conditions. As far as fly boxes are concerned, this is one of the best on the market. Performance wise, this rod won’t let you down. Deep nymphing with weighted flies or even split shots require a rod more in the 5 to 7-weight range. Reaching out to further distances accurately should be no problem at all. Most importantly, the rod delivers incredible power and casting distance with virtually no wobble or side-to-side movement. A fast action rod will bend in only the top third or less of the blank, a medium or moderate action will bend in the top half or so and a slow action will bend starting in the lower third of the rod. It’s a medium fast action rod, powerful and lightweight. Many fly rods come in both freshwater and saltwater varieties. It’s a very forgiving rod, accommodating a number of different casting styles and ability levels. It’s made of durable Sintrix 220 graphite and it also comes with a lifetime warranty. It has very wide and smooth casts that are very easy to handle. All in all, the components and finishes are not as nice as those mid-range models, but are significantly better than most similarly priced rods. There is one last wrinkle to be aware of. Some have two “feet,” or attachment points to the rod, to save a bit of weight. Historically, anglers have faced a choice between fast, powerful rods that can send big flies long distances, and slower, more delicate rods that can gently lay them down on the water. It’s important to use a rod capable of landing a fish in a reasonable amount of time so it can survive after being released. In the tip of the rod, Echo implemented a strong but flexible graphite to ensure durability. The D stands for distance, and that version is built for power and launching larger flies of all types. First, because of the rod’s responsiveness, it can take time for newer anglers to get the timing down and capture its full power (technique matters more than with a rod like the Sage X above). For those anglers that like fast action rods with more power, (for fishing at longer distances or in windy conditions), the G. Loomis Asquith, the T&T Avantt, and the Scott Radian are good choices. TFO’s main goal with this rod was to create something that could reach out to further distances without any concerns of accuracy. The particles of the graphite are also spherical, which allows the fibers to resist and pressure or movement without breaking. See the Orvis Helios 3F. First, given the extra rod length, they can achieve serious distance and cover significantly more water with each cast. Why is the Imperial ranked here? Simply put, the PURE is a soft-touch specialist that gently lays down dry flies better than just about anything else out there. We are fine using a 3/4 weight reel on a 4-weight rod, but a 3/4 weight reel usually feels too beefy for a typical 3-weight rod. And in that case, let’s dive into the 9 best fly fishing rods under $400. But car doors and tailgates have a way of eating fly rods, so it’s good to know that most come with a serious warranty (it seems to be built into the cost). This wonder material was introduced to fishing in the late 1960s, steadily improved over the following decades, and has dramatically changed the industry. But on bigger water where power and sending it matters, nothing beats the Sage X. Now, most fly rods come with their own custom fabric or hard-sided case, often including a silky interior sleeve on the inside for an additional layer of protection. The Hardy Shadow ranges in line weights from 4-7 lbs. If the manufacturer does not break the power and action ratings up, then this recommendation is likely advertised as Medium Action. For small spring creeks and tributaries with wary fish, get a slower action rod that can gently lay flies down on the water (our favorite is the R.L. Overall the craftsmanship was ok but not nearly as good as the best mid-priced rods like the DXF or the Recon. The Redington Path II sits squarely at the budget end of the market, but is a viable option nevertheless. The second best fly rod for under $400 is the Hardy Shadow. It’s a slimmer rod that is built for the fly angler that likes smaller rods. We won't fault anyone for being a fiberglass devotee, but we do think the Finesse is a much-improved middle ground. For full details read our privacy policy. It’s extremely smooth and accurate as well. A medium or slow-action rod, on the other hand, has more flex and will bend more deeply all the way down to the handle, resulting in slower line speeds and allowing for soft presentations to avoid spooking fish (“presentation” is a commonly used term describing how gently a fly is laid down on the water). The Butter Stick one of only two fiberglass rods to make this list (the other being the TFO Finesse Glass), mainly because there are only a handful on the market. For bigger water with less vegetation, a 9 or even 10-foot rod will do the trick. Orvis' Helios 3F and 3D sit at the top of their lineup. Obviously, the difference between fly boxes for dry flies, I promise you, this will be the only fly fishing gear guide you’ll ever need. To be better at one you have to give up some of the other. For around $300 with an Orvis reel and line, that’s one heckuva deal. But a lot of line and high speeds mean you really need to feel the rod and get the timing right. You also tend to see faster line speeds and longer lengths and people just don’t need those shorter and slower rods. You really can’t go wrong with this one. Fly fishing involves making use of the equipment you have at hand to the best of your ability to catch fish. It comes in line weights ranging from 2 – 10 lbs giving you a lot of choices to choose from. Most importantly, it’s a fun rod. Legendary rod maker Sage recently replaced the One with the X at the top of its esteemed lineup. This can make for some interesting fish fighting, and is typically done in smaller streams. Pierce quickly acknowledged that the LL is very much an application specific rod and gravitated to the other rods with more of a tip flex at longer distances. However, there are lots of eddies on the Middle Deschutes, with slow moving slack water where bugs and fish collect. We officially are impressed. Action: Medium-FastWeights: 2 to 6What we like: Inexpensive, forgiving, and versatile.What we don’t: The components and finishes leave something to be desired. CHECK PRICE ON AVENTURON  CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON, Related: Best Fly Fishing Reels For Under $300. The Fenwick Fenlite is a strong and durable fly rod that isn’t going to break on you any time soon. And we’ll start by saying that we really wanted to like it. Bamboo is a third type of rod material and in a class by itself. Many modern fly rods come in 4 pieces, which makes transport and storage easy. What we don’t: Looks and feels cheap. The company is known for making good rods at value prices, and the Echo3, their flagship model, fits right in line. But they can also suck. No other major manufacturer makes their rods with quite as much attention to detail or high-quality components as R.L. The Fenwick Fenlite is a great fly rod for anglers looking for a long and accurate casts. More, a faster action rod tends to fish “heavier” than a slower action rod of the same weight. Scott’s Radian, however, manages to do it all at a relatively high level. Some rod makers use longer fibers to maintain smooth energy transfer throughout the rod, some add materials like silica or boron to improve certain properties, and some are using less resin to reduce weight. And be sure not to put your rod into a case while it’s still damp—you might be in for a nasty surprise the next time you open your case. Overall, if you are a beginner just learning fly fishing, getting a hang of it isn’t going to be a problem with this rod. From slow-action rods to the perfect nymphing setup, these are the best budget fly rods of 2020. The seat is where the reel attaches to the rod. … Thanks for the nostalgia. The Echo Trout is one of the best fly fishing rods that you can buy for only a couple hundred dollars, especially if you fly fish for trout. And a nice handmade bamboo rod can cost more than a decent used car. You really need to go rod-by-rod in terms of what type of fishing it does best. The result is more power at increased accuracy, and Orvis even claims you can put an Adams in a tea cup at a distance of 40 feet. Winston get the prize for premium builds and designs, but the $500+ price tags can be tough to swallow. Why isn’t the Scott Radian ranked higher on our list? The Drifter Series rod is a medium-fast action fly rod that has a beginner fly angler in mind. On Pyramid Lake in Nevada, we’ve gone out to the top of our waders while hauling a step ladder, which you then climb on to get a little more casting distance to reach those huge Lahontan cutthroats. For a great example of a powerful fast-action rod, see the Sage X. With ReAct graphite that minimizes vibrations and improves recovery speed, this is a fast-action rod with high line speed that also feels light and responsive. Best Mid-Priced Rod: At about half the cost, the Legend Elite runs neck-and … This rod creates medium sized loops and is very accurate at short to mid ranges. Sometimes slow action rods are termed 'parabolic', meaning the bend of the rod is similar throughout the length. Long distance casting is unnecessary if you’re truly fishing small water. It features a mix of high modulus SCIV graphite and premium quality SCII graphite. If you’re in the market for a new fly rod, there’s never been a better time. Putting a big heavy reel on a light presentation rod can make it feel out of balance and more difficult to cast. Action: Medium-SlowWeights: 3 to 5What we like: Light and responsive.What we don’t: It has the misfortune of competing with the PURE above. It’s handcrafted in United States and is a work horse on the river. “The Axiom II-X wasn’t terrible at a long distances”. It has a natural life warranty by Echo, and isn’t very expensive. 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