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Once considered strictly for small stream fishing, modern 4-weight fly rods have become extremely versatile tools for the modern angler. A 4-weight fly rod is an important tool in any angler's arsenal, capable of handling a wide range of techniques and target species - from dry flies and nymphing for Trout and Grayling to casting poppers to smaller Bass and Panfish. With so many 4-weight options on the market, it can be difficult to cut through the marketing hype. Let's take a closer look at the best 4 weight fly rods of 2025 to help you choose the right one for your fishing goals.

Lamson Radius

We’re starting out the list with the Lamson Radius, a budget option that happens to be one of our favorite 4 weights in 2025. The 4-weight Lamson Radius solidifies Lamson as more than just a reel company, but a creator of excellent trout rods. Featuring tons of feel and pinpoint accuracy, the Radius is a phenomenal dry fly rod, perfect for close and medium-distance casting of small flies and light tippets. Most importantly, the Radius is just plain fun to cast, with a forgiving taper that lends itself to beginner to advanced freshwater anglers.

At a reasonable price of $449.99, the Lamson Radius offers excellent performance at a fraction of the price. Although you won’t get the elegance or power of some premium 5 weights, the Radius stays true to the Lamson ethos with its solid components and overall clean build quality. The Lamson Radius checks all the boxes for budget-conscious freshwater anglers who want a fun, accurate dry fly rod.

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $449.99

Pros

• Exceptional accuracy at close-to-mid range
• Fun to cast
• Lightweight
• Excellent Value

Cons

• Limited long-distance performance 
• Standard componentry

Hardy Marksman

The Hardy Marksman replaced the old Ultralight as Hardy’s premium freshwater rod, coming in at $950 in the 4-weight model. Featuring Hardy’s Sintrix FLT technology, the Marksman is essentially a dry fly specialist that can also do some light nymphing or streamer work if needed. When we reviewed the rod, the first thing we noticed was how incredibly light the rod felt. At close and medium distances, the Marksman is very accurate and delightful to cast. At longer distances, however, the rod lacks the power to make it a reliable distance tool. Overall, the Marksman is an excellent dry fly rod that looks handsome for an overseas build. For anglers with a larger budget primarily focused on dry fly fishing, The Hardy Marksman is a winning choice.

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $950.00

Pros

• Lightweight!
• Quick recovery, accurate at close to mid-range
• Dry fly specialist

Cons

• Expensive
• Lacks power at long-range

Douglas Sky G

The Douglas Sky G has been the most popular Douglas fly rod over the past few years, and for good reason. Featuring a lightweight Graphene blank, the Sky G is one of the lightest, and most accurate trout rods on the market. What's more, its about $200 cheaper than many of the big-name competitors for similar performance. The rod series features two 4wts: a 9-footer and an 8'6" model which we absolutely adore for small stream fishing with dries. This is a peppy 4wt that can tuck hoppers and small streamers into undercuts with precision, while also offering enough feel to slow down and savor an evening hatch. If you've heard about the Sky G and are wondering if it's worth the hype, you owe it to yourself to cast the 4wt this summer and see for yourself!

You can find the full blog review HERE
You can find the Douglas Sky G Model-By-Model review HERE

Price: $845.00

Pros

• Extremely lightweight Graphene blank
• Premium componentry
• Accurate and playful

Cons

• Built overseas
• Casts Rio Gold like a dream

Thomas & Thomas Avantt 2

While the original Avantt was a wonderfully intuitive rod, Thomas and Thomas has refined the taper of the new Avantt 2 to create a rod that’s even more enjoyable and forgiving, with beautiful craftsmanship and componentry. Although the Avantt 2 isn’t a long-range cannon, the 4-weight excels at medium-distance casting, offering stellar accuracy with just the right amount of feel. Trout aficionados will also appreciate the rod’s USA-made craftsmanship, featuring premium componentry and an elegant facade. 

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $965.00

Pros

• Excellent mid-distance performance
• Premium componentry
• Meticulous USA craftsmanship

Cons

• Expensive
• Lacks long-range power

Orvis Helios F

Orvis has done it again with the all-new Helios, producing an incredibly lightweight rod with plenty of power and insane accuracy. Considering the success of the H3, you may be wondering what Orvis did to improve the new Helios. For starters, Helios is even lighter, sporting a noticeably lighter swing weight when compared to the H3. Additionally, accuracy has improved fourfold, thanks to this new rod's state-of-the-art construction and design.

As with the previous Helios series, this new iteration comes in two versions: “D” for distance, and “F” for finesse. For a 4-weight, we love the F 8’6” model. This rod is a creek wizard that can put an ant pattern right on a trout’s nose but still has the backbone to do light nymphing and throw streamers. Orvis also offers a 10’ 4wt D that would be a great indicator or dry-dropper rod for throwing a bit more weight. Regardless of the model you choose, you’re going to pay for its performance with a price just shy of $1,200.

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $1,098.00

Pros

• Very low swing weight
• Extremely accurate
• High-end componentry

Cons

• Expensive
• Still has the white label (some like it, some don’t!)

Winston Air 2

The Winston Air 2 has been around for a while now, but we still think it deserves a spot on the list of the top 4-weights in 2025. For starters, the Air 2 features the classic Winston aesthetics that many anglers adore. Its “Winston green” blank, nickel silver reel seat and high-end componentry make this the Rolls Royce of trout rods. What’s more, the Air 2 maintains tons of feel for delicate trout fishing, perfect for dry-fly enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Lastly, the Air 2 challenges the Winston ethos by incorporating more power and speed; it is best paired with a true-to-line-weight fly line for optimal performance. Overall, the Winston Air 2 remains a top 4-weight in 2025, albeit with a premium price tag exceeding $1k. 

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $1,195.00

Pros

• Classic Winston feel
• Heirloom componentry and build quality
• Exceptional accuracy and performance at short to middle distances

Cons

• Lofty price tag
• Line-sensitive, especially at longer distances

Scott F Series

If you like backpacking into small creeks that are no wider than a sidewalk, the Scott F Series rod is the perfect tool for the job. Scott created the F Series fiberglass rod to do one thing: load deep into the blank with minimal line out. This is a close-range specialist that fully embodies the feel of a soft, slower-action rod. Thanks to its deep-bending blank, tippet protection is unparalleled with the F Series, making it a solid choice for small spring creeks or any situation that requires extra light tippets. Another perk of the F Series is its 4-piece design, which saves space for backpacking or traveling anglers. Lastly, the F Series features an elegant orange-colored blank that pays homage to classic fiberglass rods. Overall, the F Series is a blast to fish in small water and is one of the finest premium fiberglass rods available in 2025.

You can find the full blog review HERE

Price: $695.00

Pros

• Close-range specialist
• Excellent tippet protection
• Elegant design with premium componentry

Cons

• Not ideal for long or even medium distances
• Expensive for glass

FAQ

What species can be targeted with a 4wt?

4-weight rods are ideal for a variety of freshwater species such as Trout, Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, and Grayling.

Is a 4wt rod difficult to cast?

Casting a 4wt rod is no more difficult than any other line weight. The best thing you can do before any big trip is to practice your casting. Even better, hire a professional casting instructor for a lesson to work out any kinks.

What fly line should I choose for my 4wt?

Choosing the right fly line depends on many factors such as target species, the size of fly you’ll be fishing, and the water temperature. For lots of specific information about picking the right fly line, check out our Blog.

How do I choose between a fast-action and medium-action 4wt rod?

Fast-action rods are generally stiffer rods that offer more power and line speed but at the expense of feel or “flex”. Typically, fast-action rods are best for windy conditions, casting bigger flies, and casting heavier fly lines. On the other hand, medium-action rods flex deeper into the rod blank, offering more “feel” and increased finesse, but at the expense of power. Most anglers who prefer medium-action rods appreciate their finesse and overall gentler presentation, especially for spooky fish. Generally, medium-action rods are more beginner-friendly to cast, whereas a fast-action rod might take more practice to get the timing just right.

What are the key differences between premium and budget-friendly 4wt fly rods?

We are very lucky these days to have many budget-friendly fly rods which still perform quite well. That being said, there are some distinct differences between premium rods and their economic counterparts. Primarily, the materials used in premium rods will be of higher quality than those found in budget rods. Some of these materials, like the graphite used in the blank, can greatly affect the performance of the rod. Other materials, like the reel seat insert and the paint finish, are more cosmetic and subjective. Additionally, warranties may differ between premium and budget 4-weight fly rods. Premium rods tend to have a more substantial warranty, but you should check with the manufacturer for each specific model’s warranty.