Fly Rod Reviews

Scott hasn’t offered a true mid-priced rod since the Flex, so the release of the Session series was highly anticipated. Anglers were eager to see how Scott would bring their signature feel and build quality to a more accessible price point. We’ve already published a full model-by-model breakdown (Here) of the Session lineup, but this review takes a closer look at the flagship 9’ 5wt model. Keep reading to learn about the new Scott Session, what we like about it most, and find out how it stacks up on the water.

Sage has long been known for building fast-action fly rods with broad versatility and power. But with the release of the Classic R8, they’ve added a thoughtful chapter to their ongoing exploration of moderate-action, dry fly-focused tapers. This series represents a refinement of Sage’s more presentation-oriented offerings – rods built for anglers who value touch, loop control, and a slower, more deliberate casting rhythm. Across the lineup, the Classic R8 rods flex deeper and offer more feedback than the Trout LL, with a slightly quicker recovery than the Circa. While the series is clearly designed with dry fly purists in mind, each model has its own strengths, quirks, and ideal use cases. In this review, we break down each rod individually to help you understand where it shines, which lines pair best, and how it stacks up against its siblings in the lineup.

In 2024, Orvis unveiled the latest generation of Helios rods, dropping the numbering system while refining nearly two decades of innovation. This new Helios represents the culmination of speed, lightness, accuracy, and feel – but Orvis didn’t stop there. This latest generation improves recovery, tracking, and hoop strength, resulting in a more stable, responsive, and durable rod in real fishing conditions.

Recently, we had the opportunity to cast every model in the whopping 29-rod series, and today’s review reveals our findings. We’ll share casting notes, recommended line pairings, and best uses for each model, giving you valuable insights into which rods are ideal for your fishing. Keep reading to learn more about Orvis’ flagship rod series, which may be the most complete lineup we’ve ever reviewed.

Premium fly rod technology has focused on different areas of performance over the last couple of decades. We had the fast-action craze of the early 2000s, followed by the lightweight revolution of the 2010s, and now we find ourselves in the accuracy era, balancing power and weight with fine-tuned tapers to make the most precise casting tools imaginable. This blog will highlight some of the most accurate freshwater rods of 2025, including why we like them and some pros and cons for each. Whether you’re targeting tricky tailwater trout with size 20 tricos or smacking hoppers along an undercut bank, accuracy is one of the most important aspects of freshwater fly fishing. Keep reading to discover our top picks for the most accurate freshwater fly rods of 2025.

There’s been a lot of hype around the new Sage Classic R8, Sage’s new presentation trout rod that replaces the outgoing Trout LL. The Classic R8 pays homage to a long line of moderate-action trout rods, such as the original Sage LL of the 1990s, and the Sage Circa of the 2010s. While Sage is well-known for their fast-action tapers, these softer trout rods represent a more soulful casting experience for the dry fly angler. In this review, we’ll cover the key details of the new Classic R8, including its flex and feel, who it’s for, and its price. With so many premium trout rods available, this review aims to help you cut through the marketing noise and decide if the Classic R8 fits your needs, style, and budget. Keep reading to learn all about the Sage Classic R8, and decide for yourself if this soulful rod belongs in your Trout quiver.

The Solution is TFO’s new premium freshwater rod, featuring an upgrade in power, components, and aesthetics from previous TFO models. We’ve been excited to cast the Solution and see how it compares to the likes of the old BVK and other mid-priced rods on the market. As you’ll learn in our review, we were thoroughly impressed with its performance overall, but much may depend on your casting style and fishing situations. In this review, we’ll dive into the rod’s performance at key casting distances, its components, and some pros and cons. Read on to learn more about the new TFO Solution and whether it’s the right choice for your next freshwater rod. 

TFO has released their newest Euro Nymphing Fly Rod, the Elevare. The Elevare is TFO’s premium tactical nymphing rod, featuring noteworthy upgrades from the TFO Stealth. For intermediate anglers looking to take their euro nymphing game to the next level, the Elevare represents a step up in componentry, lightweight balance, and casting performance. If you’re a fan of TFO rods and considering upgrading your euro setup for 2025, keep reading to learn more about the new TFO Elevare, including pros and cons, ideal uses, and build quality.

Switch rods fill the void between two-handed spey rods and single-handed rods. They’re generally shorter than traditional spey rods, somewhere between 10 and 12 feet in length, which means they can be light enough to cast single-handed (sometimes). Switch rods also tend to have a faster action blank that lends itself to more technical fishing situations and improved casting accuracy. Their uses are virtually endless and include everything from spey casting long Scandi heads with dry flies to single-hand casting buggers in large lakes. Because of their versatility, it can be hard to determine which switch rod is the best choice for your fishing, and that’s precisely why we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll discuss some of our favorite switch rods of 2024, why we like them, and what they’re designed to do. As you’ll see, some switch rods are better at spey casting, some are better at single hand casting, and others are decent at both but masters of none. Hopefully, by reading this post you’ll have a better understanding of switch rods, and which one fits your fishing needs the best. Read on to learn all about our favorite switch fly rods of 2025.

Whether you’re swinging large western rivers for fresh, powerful Steelhead, or probing smaller streams in pursuit of anadromous beauties, fly fishing for Steelhead requires specialized rods for the job. Today, we’ll take a look at several of the best Steelhead rods of 2025, to help you pick the right tool for your fishing.

9wt fly rods offer anglers enough power to throw larger or heavier flies and more aggressive lines, but still maintain enough finesse to make delicate presentations as needed. For species like Permit and Striped Bass, the 9wt has become the go-to option for many, and its usefulness extends to many other species in both freshwater and saltwater environments. With a plethora of quality 9wts available today, it can be hard to decide which rod is right for your fishing, with every manufacturer claiming that theirs is the best 9wt rod out there. Today, we’ll share our favorite 9wt fly rods of 2025, helping you make an informed decision about which 9wt fits your needs, style, and budget. Keep reading to learn which 9wt rods we love in 2025, and why.