The All-Around 5-Weight Fly Rod Buyer's Guide
5wt fly rods are (by far) the most popular rod model in contemporary fly fishing. A 5wt can be used in a variety of freshwater angling scenarios but is most commonly used to target Trout. There are dozens of 5wt rods on the market at a variety of price-points and each rod offers something different to every angler.
Here at Trident, we carry over one hundred 5wt fly rods. That's a lot. This buyer's guide is designed to help anglers of all skill levels with any price-constraint find, compare, analyze, and purchase the 5wt that best fits their needs.
So, What's a Buyer's Guide?
If you've done any fly fishing reading online you've probably seen the words 'shootout', 'buyer's guide', and 'review' a lot. What're the differences between these posts and how do you, the reader, get the most out of reading them?
Fundamentally, because there are so many gear options in fly fishing, shootout-style blog posts help anglers determine 'the best of' a particular selected subcategory. Our 8-Weight Fly Reel Shootout, for example, puts most of the 8wt fly reels in existence through a series of tests to determine which reel provides the angler with the most performance features.
A buyer's guide is a little different, however. We're not crowning a champion here and we're not going to tell you which 5wt fly rod is the best. Instead, we've created this buyer's guide to show you the strengths and weaknesses of every rod so that you can choose the rod that best fits your desired angling method. 'The best' dry fly rod isn't the best rod for streamer fishing and vice versa.
Power VS Action
To do this, we decided to adopt Echo's Power/Action matrix to compare these rods. Here's an example from Echo's website.
- What is fly rod power?
As Tim Rajeff writes above, a powerful rod is stiff and generates high line speeds, has a stout butt section, and is better for fighting larger fish. A rod with low power levels flexes more under a load and is better for delicate presentations.
- What is fly rod action?
Fly rod action, on the other hand, is how a fly rod flexes when cast. Rods that flex in the tip are fast action rods, rods that flex in the mid-section are moderate action rods, and so on. If you're still confused about fly rod action, here's a video from our beginner series.
Fly rod power and fly rod action help answer the question 'what kind of fishing is this fly rod best suited for?'. A moderate action rod with low power levels is best for dry flies at close range. A powerful, fast-action rod works well for turning over larger rigs or casting longer distances in windy conditions. Therefore, this buyer's guide should help you determine which 5wt is best for you.
And, if it does, help us by purchasing your next 5wt from us. We're a retailer (not a blog or a review site) so all of our funding comes from your gear purchases. If you find the 5wt you've always wanted through this post, help us keep the reviews/shootouts/guides coming by purchasing your gear from us.
The Guide
Below, we provide power levels, action levels, casting notes, and a line recommendation for the majority of the 5wt rods we carry. We've also set up some charts so you can easily compare rods based on the power/action matrix explained above in the entry-level price-point, mid-level price-point, and high price-point.
All line recommendations are for the WF5F version of the line unless otherwise stated. Here's the power/action matrix for all price ranges.
Low-Priced ($0 - $300)
Fenwick AETOS - $199.95
Casting Notes: Fenwick designed the AETOS to represent a practical marriage of castability and power. While the AETOS is built on a fast action blank, it’s more forgiving than other rods in its price range and is designed to provide the novice angler with versatility and fast-action performance.
Power: 7.5/10 - This was the second-highest power score awarded in the low-priced category. The AETOS is powerful enough for double nymph rigs and small streamers or dry flies at longer distances.
Action: 6/10 - The AETOS is a fast action rod but not as fast as rods like the BVK and others. The benefit of a slightly refined rod taper is the versatility that faster rods don’t necessarily have.
Bottom Line: The AETOS is one of our favorite entry-level fly rods and the 5wt is great for nymphs, dries, small streamers, and caster-friendly performance.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Redington Classic Trout - $149.99
Casting Notes: The Classic Trout is Redington’s dry-fly-specific rod that is built for small water and spring creek fishing. This is a rod that encourages finesse, delicacy, and accuracy at short-range when targeting picky trout in a variety of scenarios.
Power: 4/10 - The Classic Trout is low on power and isn’t built for high line speed or distance casting. It received one of the lower power scores in the low-priced category.
Action: 4/10 - Similarly, Redington built this rod with a moderate-slow action. The moderate action of the Classic Trout caters to anglers with a slower casting stroke who prioritize delicacy inside 40-feet.
Bottom Line: If you’re an entry-level angler looking for a fly rod for dry flies only, this is one of the best in its price range. This isn’t a good rod choice for streamers or heavy nymphs.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Premier Fly Line
TFO Pro II - $169.95
Casting Notes: The Pro II is built to accommodate the widest range of casting strokes for ultimate versatility. Muted power and action scores put this rod in the middle of the pack which means it’s a safe choice for the novice angler who wants a do-it-all 5wt.
Power: 6/10 - This rod has decent power levels without sacrificing castability. This means you can generate line speed but you can also focus on delicacy at short range.
Action: 5.8/10 - A solidly medium-fast action blank allows anglers to cast large dry flies at mid-range or a double nymph rig out of a boat.
Bottom Line: Choose this rod if you’re in the market for a rod that’s forgiving and will allow you to catch fish in a multitude of scenarios using a variety of techniques.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Premier Fly Line
TFO BVK - $259.95
Casting Notes: The BVK is designed for double nymph rigs, streamers, and long-distance casting in windy conditions. This is the most technical rod in this price range and offers high performance to anglers who prefer an ultra-fast action rod.
Power: 8.5/10 - The BVK received the highest power score in the low-priced category. This rod has a stiff butt and mid-section for increased line speed and best-in-class power.
Action: 8/10 - This is an ultra-fast action rod. It’s not as caster-friendly as others in this category but provides the capable angler with technical fast action performance.
Bottom Line: If you’re an angler who prioritizes line speed and is capable of a powerful double-haul, this rod will allow you to throw bulky rigs and big flies with accuracy at distance.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Orvis Clearwater - $198
Casting Notes: The newest Clearwater Fly Rod is dynamic, responsive, and beautifully versatile. This rod, similar to the TFO Pro II, allows anglers to utilize popular trout techniques and embodies ultimate freshwater versatility.
Power: 7/10 - The power levels on this rod are pretty great. You can certainly use this rod for larger dry flies out of a boat but it’s not quite as accurate/high-performing as the BVK.
Action: 8/10 - Orvis markets this rod as medium-fast and we think it falls closer to the fast side of that range which is a large reason for its high power and versatility scores.
Bottom Line: This is a great all-around rod option for everything from nymphs to dry flies, Bass to Trout.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Echo Dry - $229.99
Casting Notes: The Echo Dry Fly Rod is a rod built specifically for delicate presentations at shorter distances with dry flies. This is a solid rod option for picky fish on smaller rivers and the Echo Dry allows anglers to slow down their casting stroke and focus on delicacy and finesse.
Power: 3.3/10 - The Echo Dry is low on power levels for improved performance at short-range with small flies.
Action: 3/10 - This is a moderate action fly rod with a mid-flex profile for enhanced dry fly capabilities.
Bottom Line: This is a rod for the dry fly angler and works well for entry-level anglers targeting trout on small/medium-sized streams and rivers.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Premier Fly Line
Echo Boost - $229.99
Casting Notes: In some ways, the Echo Boost is complementary to the Echo Dry. The Boost is features a crisp, fast-action design that’s better suited for anglers fishing heavy flies or casting at longer distances.
Power: 7/10 - This is a powerful rod that cuts through the wind, recovers relatively quickly, and allows anglers to present flies at longer distances.
Action: 6.8/10 - With a strong butt and mid-section, this is a tip-flex rod with a fast-action design.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a 5wt with boosted power levels and increased line speed capabilities, this rod is a great option.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
St. Croix Imperial - $300
Casting Notes: Handcrafted in the USA, the St. Croix Imperial is a smooth-casting rod that puts an emphasis on performance without limiting the angler to either line speed or delicacy. Built for versatility, this is a stand-out rod in this price range.
Power: 5.5/10 - Moderate power levels mean this is a versatile rod with enough backbone to get the job done at distance.
Action: 6.5/10 - A medium-fast action build creates a rod that’s caster-friendly and can be used in a variety of angling scenarios.
Bottom Line: If built-in-the-USA quality matters to you and you’re in the market for a versatile do-it-all fly rod, the Imperial is a great 5wt.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Premier Fly Line
Redington Vice - $199.99
Casting Notes: Fast action performance meets flashy rod design with Redington’s powerful 5wt Vice. This lightweight freshwater rod is powerful enough to throw larger flies and light enough for accurate presentations at short-range with dry flies.
Power: 6.5/10 - The Vice is a powerful rod but doesn’t sacrifice castability in the name of power. This rod is great for dry flies at long distances or small streamers.
Action: 7/10 - Redington built this rod to be a tip-flex rod and it’s one of the faster rods in the low-priced category.
Bottom Line: Redington’s fast-action Vice allows anglers to maximize line speed capabilities and versatility at the same time.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Redington Trace - $299.99
Casting Notes: The Trace is a do-it-all freshwater rod built with a versatile rod action and user-friendly components. The Trace casts well at short/middle distances and provides the angler with enough feedback/feel for accuracy and finesse.
Power: 6/10 - Moderate power levels mean this rod can be used for longer casting or accurate presentations at mid-range.
Action: 5/10 - This is a solidly medium-fast action rod with a mid/tip-flex profile that’s versatile and beginner-friendly.
Bottom Line: This is a great entry-level rod for anglers looking to get into trout fishing.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Premier Fly Line
TFO Finesse Trout - $229.95
Casting Notes: The Finesse Trout is a small water rod built specifically for delicacy and finesse with dry flies for Trout. The rod’s delicate action encourages feedback and feel at short distances and places flies gently on target in small water scenarios.
Power: 2/10 - Low power levels reflect this rod’s purpose-built design. This rod doesn’t encourage high line speeds or powerful performance at long distances.
Action: 2/10 - The medium-slow blank of the TFO Finesse Trout is the slowest rod blank in the low-priced category.
Bottom Line: This is a fly rod for dry flies and short distances only.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Premier Fly Line
Mid-Priced ($300 - $700)
Orvis Recon 2 - $498
Casting Notes: Orvis has paired down the original fast-action Recon and built a more caster-friendly, versatile rod that’s built for a wide variety of angling scenarios. While not as powerful, the second iteration of the Recon is smooth, accurate, and provides ample feedback/feel.
Power: 6.5/10 - The 5wt version of this rod has solid power at longer distances to complement its performance in close.
Action: 5.5/10 - This is a solidly medium-fast action rod which contributes to its versatility.
Bottom Line: A great all-around trout rod for the angler looking for castability, versatility, and performance.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Thomas & Thomas Zone - $499
Casting Notes: The Zone is a versatile freshwater 5wt with the ability to throw a variety of flies from nymphs to dries to small streamers. T&T designed this rod to cater to the widest range of anglers and its versatility shows through in its power and action levels.
Power: 6/10 - The Zone is a powerful rod yet maintains castability and versatility.
Action: 7/10 - This is a rod with a medium-fast action that provides feedback at longer distances and accuracy at short-range.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for one of the most versatile 5wts in this price range, the Zone is a great option made by a well-known manufacturer.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Douglas DXF - $395
Casting Notes: The DXF is Douglas’ fast action rod series and includes a 5wt that’s high-performing, lightweight, and powerful. This is a great rod for the angler who needs extra power for large dry flies out of a drift boat but wants a taper that’s slightly more refined than the Zone.
Power: 7.5/10 - The DXF is powerful for a 5wt but features a larger timing window than other less forgiving fast action 5wts.
Action: 8/10 - The DXF has a stiff (but lightweight) butt and mid-section that leads into a softer tip for efficiency and accuracy at any distance.
Bottom Line: We’ve been recommending the DXF 5wt in this price range for a while and think it provides the most performance for the lowest cost in the mid-priced category.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Scott Flex - $475
Casting Notes: The Flex is a beautiful combination of versatility, castability, and a medium-fast action for power when you need it. The rod is a more refined, caster-friendly version of its high-priced brother, the Radian.
Power: 4.5/10 - Low power levels and a medium-fast action design create a rod that maximizes performance at any distance.
Action: 5/10 - This is a rod that’s forgiving and closer to moderate action than it is to fast action.
Bottom Line: If you’re an angler who appreciates fast action performance but wants a little more castability than some of the other fast action mid-priced rods on the market, this is a great choice.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line
Hardy Shadow - $349.95
Casting Notes: The Shadow is one of the quieter rods in the mid-priced category with low power levels and a subdued rod action. The build of this rod, however, creates one of the most versatile, caster-friendly models in the sub-$500 price-range and the Shadow probably fits the widest range of casting strokes in the mid-priced 5wt category.
Power: 5/10 - The Shadow has some reserve power that can be taken advantage of by anglers who are in tune with their timing and casting stroke.
Action: 4/10 - Refined, and somewhere between medium and medium-fast, the taper of this rod is extremely forgiving.
Bottom Line: This is a great rod choice for the novice angler who is looking for a rod that will mask mistakes and encourage learning.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line
Sage Foundation - $325
Casting Notes: The Foundation is Sage’s entry-level rod series built with a classic medium-fast action Sage design and relatively high power levels. This is a rod that’s pure Sage at a price-point that is tough to beat.
Power: 7/10 - This is a powerful rod capable of throwing dry flies, nymph rigs, and small streamers, optimized for castability and long distance performance.
Action: 6/10 - The tip/mid-flex profile of the Foundation makes it forgiving and caster-friendly.
Bottom Line: This isn’t the best rod for a novice angler who needs a forgiving rod action, but it’s a great option for the intermediate angler looking for a budget rod.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Sage Pulse - $450
Casting Notes: The Pulse is slightly more powerful than the Foundation with a rod taper that’s a little more forgiving. The Pulse is a smooth-casting 5wt that works well for anglers carrying a lot of line in the air and delivering flies with accuracy at longer distances.
Power: 7.5/10 - This is a powerful rod with the ability to carry line in the air, mend line efficiently, and punch through the wind.
Action: 7/10 - A fast action rod design means the Pulse does everything a high-performance 5wt should with efficiency and ease.
Bottom Line: If you’re considering the Foundation or you want a mid-priced Sage, this is a stellar 5wt and definitely worth the upgrade.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Redington Crux - $399.99
Casting Notes: The Crux is Redington’s top-of-the-line rod series that combines a medium-fast action design with a refined blank to create a rod that’s great for nymphing and small streamer fishing.
Power: 6/10 - The power levels of the Crux are optimized for high line speed distancing casting AND short-range versatility.
Action: 6/10 - A medium-fast action rod design makes turning over heavy nymph rigs a breeze with this 5wt.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a rod design that’s optimized for distance casting, versatility, and chucking double nymph rigs, the Crux is one of the best in its price range.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Taylor Anomaly - $559
Casting Notes: The Anomaly is a rod that provides the angler with state-of-the-art componentry and a high-performance blank at a moderate price-point. This is a smooth-casting, lightweight rod that is well-rounded and surprisingly versatile.
Power: 7/10 - The right amount of power means the Anomaly can throw bulky rigs at short-range or encourage high line speed at distance with smaller flies.
Action: 7/10 - This rod sports a medium-fast/fast action blank that’s ideal for a variety of freshwater fishing techniques.
Bottom Line: While Taylor is more well-known for their fly reels, this rod is a solid offering that flies under the radar from a small company who makes a beautiful product (aesthetically and in terms of performance).
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Douglas Sky - $695
Casting Notes: The Sky is one of the most powerful rods in the mid-priced category and reflects the industry trend toward fast action fly rods. The Sky is a rod made for distance casting, heavy nymph rigs, and streamer fishing.
Power: 8.5/10 - The lightweight, quick-recovering blank of the Sky encourages excellent power and accuracy at long range.
Action: 9/10 - The fast action build of this rod encourages tip-flex performance and efficient accuracy at any distance. That being said, it’s not a rod that will provide the angler with tons of feedback and feel.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a high-performance rod in the sub-$700 range and you’re an angler who appreciates power and efficiency, the Sky is a great rod series.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
G. Loomis IMX Pro - $525
Casting Notes: The IMX Pro is a well-known rod series. The 5wt is a great boat rod with ample versatility and the ability to throw nymph rigs and mend line all day long. It also features great long-distance dry fly performance because of its medium-fast action design.
Power: 5.5/10 - This is a rod that doesn’t have a ton of power but makes up for it in feedback and feel.
Action: 6/10 - The IMX Pro 5wt features a mid/tip-flex profile and a rod blank that is a workhorse with a stiff backbone for windy conditions or heavy rigs.
Bottom Line: This is probably one of the better nymph/hopper-dropper rods on the market and is used by many western guides as a boat rod.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line
TFO Axiom II - $339.95
Casting Notes: The Axiom II (not to be confused with the Axiom II-X) is a lower-mid-priced trout rod that marries a medium-fast action with short distance accuracy and feedback. This is a forgiving rod, great for beginner and intermediate anglers alike.
Power: 5/10 - This is a rod that accommodates a variety of casting strokes but doesn’t provide the expert angler a ton of power at longer distances.
Action: 6.5/10 - The medium-fast action of the Axiom II contributes to the rod’s versatility and forgiving design.
Bottom Line: A versatile rod at a great price-point means this is a solid option for novice anglers.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line
Sage Sonic - $550
Casting Notes: The Sonic is Sage’s new mid-priced rod series that combines a fast-action build and high power levels in a rod that’s ideal for nymphing and throwing streamers. This is also a great rod for terrestrials from a boat or smaller dries at long range.
Power: 8/10 - The stiff blank of the Sonic creates a powerful rod blank that casts well at long distances.
Action: 8.2/10 - The Sonic is a tip-flex rod bordering on extra-fast action. This isn’t a rod that will give you feedback and feel at short range.
Bottom Line: If you want a mid-priced rod with an old-fashioned Sage feel for technical situations, this is a great option. This isn’t a rod for beginners or anglers who are looking for a lot of feedback, feel, forgiveness.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
High-Priced ($700+)
G Loomis NRX+ LP - $795
Casting Notes: Loomis’ new LP rod is built for delicacy and finesse. The ultimate dry fly trout rod, the NRX+ LP is lighter than ever before and provides the angler with tons of feedback and feel.
Power: 6/10 - This rod has some reserve power and can definitely carry line in the air and present flies at longer distances.
Action: 5/10 - A solid medium/medium-fast action, the taper of this rod is ideal for dry flies and trout fishing.
Bottom Line: If you’re a serious dry fly angler, this is one of the best fly rods on the market.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line
G Loomis Asquith - $1,100
Casting Notes: The Asquith is a powerhouse of modern fly rod innovation with an extremely lightweight rod blank that’s gutsy and high-performing. Makes sense because it’s the most expensive rod in our buyer’s guide.
Power: 8/10 - Loomis built a ton of power into this rod so you can feel confident throwing streamers, nymph rigs, and dry flies at long distances.
Action: 6.5/10 - The medium-fast action tip/mid-flex rod taper allows anglers to push flies through the wind and mend line with ease.
Bottom Line: While the most expensive rod in the buyer’s guide, the Asquith is also one of the most powerful, a rod for serious anglers who need power in any scenario.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
G Loomis NRX+ Freshwater - $825
Casting Notes: The NRX+ Freshwater Rod is an ultra-fast action rod made for big flies and technical scenarios. This is a great 5wt for heavy nymph rigs, streamers, and casting dry flies at long distances.
Power: 8.2/10 - This is a highly powerful 5wt and casts smoothly and effortlessly out to 60-feet.
Action: 7.5/10 - Loomis built this rod to be faster than the Asquith and bordering on ultra-fast action. The rod features a stout butt section and a tip-flex design.
Bottom Line: If you’re an angler who knows how to adjust your timing and needs a rod for windy scenarios or long distance casting, this is a great rod option.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Sage X - $900
Casting Notes: Sage has refined their typical ‘super fast action’ rod design into a rod that’s more caster-friendly and more forgiving. The X provides the angler with finesse in close and power when you need it, a nice combination of feedback and backbone.
Power: 6.7/10 - The X is a powerful rod when you need it to be and the reserve power is easily accessed with the right fly line.
Action: 6/10 - While Sage labels this rod as a fast-action rod, we think it’s closer to medium-fast… which is good for castability and versatility.
Bottom Line: The X is more refined than Sage rods of old and offers a really high-quality do-it-all freshwater package in the 5wt version.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Winston Air - $975
Casting Notes: The Air is a beautifully-built rod with high-end componentry and a smooth moderate-action blank. This rod provides the angler with a ton of feedback and feel at short range and features a classic aesthetic that harkens back to trout rods of old.
Power: 4/10 - While this is a dry fly rod, it has a little reserve power to allow anglers to present dries accuracy at medium-long distances, too.
Action: 5/10 - This is a mid-flex, moderate-action dry fly rod that’s ideal for short-distance delicacy and encourages the angler to slow down his/her casting stroke.
Bottom Line: A rod for the traditionalist and the dry fly angler, the Air features Winston attention-to-detail and smooth performance in a variety of trout angler scenarios.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line
Orvis Helios 3F - $898
Casting Notes: The Helios 3F is built for feel. Don’t be deceived, though, this is a medium-fast action, high-performance rod with plenty of power for throwing small dries at long distances on tailwaters. It’s slightly more refined than the 3D but maintains a smooth, powerful action.
Power: 6/10 - This rod is smooth and evenly balanced with high-line-speed power and increased feel in close.
Action: 5.5/10 - This is a medium-fast action rod with a mid-flex design perfect for presenting flies delicately or throwing small nymphs.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for power and feel, this is one of the better 5wts on the market. It’s a great all-around rod and less technical than the 3D.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Orvis Helios 3D - $898
Casting Notes: Distance and power are the name of the game with the Helios 3D. Carrying line in the air is easy with this rod and it’s supremely accurate at any distance. Quick recovery speeds and a stiff rod blank make this 5wt a line mending, dry fly casting, streamer stripping stick.
Power: 9/10 - Orvis optimized the 3D for power at longer distances. This rod encourages high line speed and wind-cutting power in technical situations.
Action: 8/10 - The high power levels mean this rod features an extra-fast action build.
Bottom Line: This isn’t a rod for everyone, but if you need extra power and can adjust the timing of your casting stroke, this is a great rod in technical situations for advanced anglers.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Douglas Sky G - $795
Casting Notes: The Sky G offers the latest fly rod technology with a Graphene build (if you’re curious, check out our product page). Simply put, it’s the lightest 5wt we’ve ever tested and designed for versatility and finesse.
Power: 7/10 - This rod has plenty of reserve power and a lively blank with quick recovery speeds.
Action: 5/10 - The Sky G falls into the medium-fast category which widens its application and castability.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a lightweight 5wt with contemporary fly rod technology that’s tough to beat, some say this is the best 5wt on the market (Yellowstone Angler 5wt Shootout).
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Loop 7X Medium-Fast - $950
Casting Notes: The heptagonal blank design of the 7X creates a rod with fast recovery speeds and a smooth action. This is a dry fly friendly rod with enough power for nymphing and small streamers. The 7X is a real pleasure to cast and is expertly designed with the best of contemporary fly rod technology.
Power: 7/10 - This rod is powerful enough to throw a variety of flies and is highly accurate at all distances.
Action: 5.5/10 - Slightly faster than purely moderate action fly rods, the 7X has a taper that’s caster-friendly and a versatile medium-fast action.
Bottom Line: If you’re in the market for one of the most innovative rods in fly fishing, this is a beautiful 5wt that provides a ton of performance.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Thomas & Thomas Avantt - $845
Casting Notes: The Avantt is a medium-fast action fly rod that’s built for anglers who need castability and mending capabilities. The rod is stout yet smooth for refined performance at short range and enough power to propel large terrestrials through the wind.
Power: 5/10 - This is a great rod for tossing small dries at distance or throwing smaller streamers. It’s powerful and efficient.
Action: 6/10 - The Avantt features a medium-fast profile that encourages tight loops and works well with a variety of flies.
Bottom Line: If you want a high-end rod with a beautiful fit and finish that performs well in the trout game, this is a solid option, a great choice for a variety of freshwater species.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Scott Radian - $795
Casting Notes: Scott’s Radian is famous for its lightweight design, unsanded blank, and high power levels. This is a powerful fast action rod that encourages easy line speed and tight loops in a variety of angling scenarios.
Power: 7.2/10 - More refined than other high-powered 5wts, the Radian has enough power for larger rivers but is a little more versatile than technical rods like the 3D.
Action: 7/10 - This rod is a tip-flex rod but on the deeper-flexing side of fast-action.
Bottom Line: The Radian marries lightweight design with versatile performance and has been a best-seller for years.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Epic Graphite - $995
Casting Notes: The Epic Graphite 5wt is one of our favorites. With a blazing light swing weight and a forgiving action, this 5wt is one of the best all-around rods on the market. Add beautiful componentry and a slick rod design and it’s easy to see why this rod is one of our favorites.
Power: 5.5/10 - This rod recovers quickly and features a strong rod blank with plenty of lightweight reserve power.
Action: 5/10 - The Epic Graphite features a mid-flex design and a soft tip for accuracy at any distance.
Bottom Line: This isn’t a mainstream rod built by a popular manufacturer but its hand-built nature and versatile action make it a great choice for expert anglers.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line
Winston Pure - $875
Casting Notes: The Pure is a purpose-built dry fly rod with beautiful feedback and feel at short-range. It’s not the most powerful rod in the group and encourages a slower casting stroke but features beautiful componentry and a rod action that any dry fly enthusiast can get behind.
Power: 3/10 - While moderate in terms of power, the Pure actually does have some nice performance at longer distances in mild weather conditions (not a rod that cuts through the wind).
Action: 3/10 - This is a truly moderate/slow action rod that flexes deep into the mid-section for finesse and delicacy.
Bottom Line: Winston has been making moderate-action dry fly rods for years and this is the culmination of years of R&D.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line
Loop Cross SX - $775
Casting Notes: The SX is a beefy 5wt built into a series designed for saltwater fly fishing. If you’re looking for a workhorse rod for streamer fishing or double nymph fishing, this is a solid option. Loop has built some important features into this rod to make it lightweight and snappy.
Power: 8.5/10 - Higher power levels make this rod a great choice in wind or large water.
Action: 8.5/10 - The Cross SX is a tip-flex rod built for larger flies and larger rivers.
Bottom Line: If you’re part of the Loop Army or just looking for a streamer stick, this is a great rod for a diverse population of anglers.
Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Scott G Series - $845
Casting Notes: The G Series is Scott’s moderate/slow action dry fly-specific rod series with a focus on refined feedback and delicacy at short-range. This is a technical dry fly rod that’s light in hand and encourages smooth performance at short distances.
Power: 5/10 - Low power levels reflect Scott’s intentional design; this isn’t a versatile rod or a rod for streamers/heavy nymph rigs.
Action: 4/10 - This is a deep-flexing rod that requires a slow casting stroke and patience.
Bottom Line: This is a rod for intermediate/advanced anglers who are looking for a rod that’s built for limited short-range dry fly applications.
Line Recommendation: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line
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I live in California and something I don't understand is... you go into most regular fishing stores, even a big 5, and they'll have hundreds of rods and tons of reel options. But you go into most fly fishing stores in California, they'll have maybe 20 rods and 15 reels in stock if you're lucky. So let's say you're looking for a particular weight rod.. they may only have a couple in stock, which typically isn't even enough to provide one option for each length/action combo you might be interested in for that weight, let alone different models/brands of the same weight/length/action to compare with each other. This makes finding the right rod a real difficult endeavor. So for someone with limited options to test rods out, it's really helpful to try one rod in a store, then see that another rod claims to have the same action profile on the manufacturers site, but then see this review and compared side by side they are actually fairly different.
I do have two suggestions for things to consider including in future comparison/buyers guides. One is to consider putting say a 2-5lb weight on the end of a fly line and fix the rod horizontally, then trace the flex of the rod on a paper behind it for each rod. Then you could put all the traced rod flex's superimposed in one picture, possibly with different colored lines to differentiate the flex profile of each rod. This could make the comparison of rod power/action more objective.
The other suggestion is to talk a little bit more about the weight/swing weight of each rod, along with what reel or ideally what reel weight you guys feel would best balance out the rod. This could be done fairly easily I think; just pick the desired balance point (about where your hand is holding the rod?) then put a few different weight reels on it and see which balances the rod at that point.
Thanks for your reviews, best reviews online and I will certainly consider ordering my next rod from you guys.