Beginner fly rod

[Jmort1754]

Never done it, I am trying to get started. Any brand or type to avoid for a cheaper starter rod.

 

[Jbehredt]

Trout fishing?

 

[mntnguide]

Redington makes good entry level rods in a kit that you can buy fully set up. . but a lot depends on what and where you are fishing. High alpine trout is much different than large river steelhead in terms of the size and weight of rod you should be looking for

 

[rickjames80]

I started out with a hand me down no name Fiberglass 6 weight. It was basically a pool que. I actually enjoyed the challenge and had to catch 10 fish before I could upgrade. Fly rods are a bit of personal preference. I like a faster rod. 9-9.5 ft 5wt is kind of a do it all. Redington, St. Croix, Echo all seem pretty good value wise. I had a lot of fun with the pool que so I cant really tell you to stay away from anything, but the learning curve will be easier with a higher quality setup.

 

[wildwilderness]

I started with a Redington. Good value. I taught my kids when they were little to fly fish for green sunfish. Super aggressive little guys and can get a hit almost every cast! Practice dries and wet flies and watching for the hit to set the hook at the right time.

 

[bstovall]

Bought a $100 rig on Amazon to get started. Have since upgraded but it did great.

 

[wesfromky]

For me, the super cheap rods didn't work all that great - I did much better with a slightly higher tier. Like TFO.

 

[ODB]

I bought a 5w Orvis clearwater 30+ years ago and it has held up well. I think the newer clearwaters are as good as my older TLS Matrix rods.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Orvis Clearwater and a lamson liquid reel is a great “lower” end outfit that you will never really outgrow. Both also have great warranty. Not cheap, but definitely cheaper than some higher end stuff, and will last you a lifetime.

 

[Jmort1754]

Just stocked trout and some natives here in PA

 

[RickH]

I'd go with a Redington 9 ft 5 wt Wrangler Trout kit. It's got a good rod, good fly line and decent reel. It's good for nymphing, dry flies, and small streamers. I made my living for quite a few years as a flyfishing guide and lately when I head out the door to fish for a few hours I grab my Redington rod. It can take a beating.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Just stocked trout and some natives here in PA

8.5-9ft 4-5wt would be my recommendation. Just depends on the size of water you are fishing.

 

[Lurch12]

Where about in PA? Im headed to our cabin in Clearfield County once the kiddos hockey game is over.

I fish mostly native with mine. I think mine is a 7’6” 4 wt.

My buddy whom passed away used this rode for natives. I actually really liked it.

https://a.co/d/dHxYSFf

 

[peterk123]

I fly fish and lot. I live two minutes from the Yellowstone so I will fish year round. I refuse to spend big money on rods and reels because I beat the stuff to death. My two most used rods are Orvis Clearwater setups. Just a lot of bang for your buck with those rods. I have a 10ft 3wt for tightlining and a 6wt for all round stuff, including using it as a boat rod. I think they have a nicer flex than some 800 dollar 2x4s out there. They are accurate, whatever that is supposed to mean, relatively light feeling, and tough as nails. I've taken a lot of fish with them. As for a reel, again the Clearwater lineup is great. Or get a cheapo on Amazon for 25 bucks. You're catching trout or other freshwater fish, not tarpon or tuna. Reel is irrelevant.

 

[hoooogan]

Bought a $100 rig on Amazon to get started. Have since upgraded but it did great.

Same here. The <$100 Bezos special has caught plenty of fish, the few times a year I actually fish. Had an accident where I closed my camper on it and snapped a section. With the promo at the time it was nearly the same price to buy another complete setup vs just that piece. Almost saw a friend cry when his fancy rod broke.

On the flip side, if I were to grab a nicer but still beginner setup, I would probably look at one of the cheaper Orvis combos.

 

[def90]

I just bought one of those Orvis Encounter kits a decade ago and despite the fact that I now fish all the time the Orvis kit I bought is still what I am using today. I don't think I've missed any fish based on the rod and reel I'm using. Was somewhere around $180 when I bought it some years back.

 

[displacedtexan]

I'm a fan of the Orvis Clearwater for the money.

9' 5wt is a great starter rod. Real versatile.

 

[thegrouse]

Orvis has great rods, but if you do not want to spend a ton find something that will get you out there. If you love it you can upgrade later. I was at Costco yesterday and they have a 179 dollar combo that will catch fish.

 

[ianpadron]

Depends on your budget, but Redingtons Path combo is stellar, as is anything from Echo.

Rod tech evolves so rapidly, the offshore bargain basement combos are better than 30 year old alpha US tech that used to cost $1k.

If you end up getting hooked, or don't want to go the China route, look for used gear...I don't think I've ever paid more than 50% MSRP for the dozen or so rods in my quiver, all of them of the Sage, Loomis, Winston varieties.

New prices are ridiculous these days.

Since you're on the East coast I'd get an 8'6" 4 wt and go fishin'

 

[thinhorn_AK]

TFO has some good rods, I’d taken one of those over a redington if I was going to buy a Korean made rod. I have one of their LK legacy rods that stays on my boat. It’s been a good rod, caught a lot of fish and most people who try it think that it’s a much more expensive rod than it really is. I don’t loan out my Scott’s.

The nice thing about the TFO stuff is their “warranty” they don’t mess around, they just sell replacement sections. Much faster and in many cases cheaper than other flyers warranties.

I broke a 1000.00 Scott flyrod, it cost me 65.00 + whatever I paid to send it, and it took 9 weeks. While it’s awesome that most companies have a decent warranty even though it’s not worth it for them (it’s just part of that industry though), it would have been great to spend 50 bucks and get a section shipped out to me within the week.