My answer to this question—which I get asked at least once a week by someone—has evolved over time. But before we get into the weeds, let’s put a few universal truths out there for context.
- The actual weight of a fly rod and the “weight” of the line it is designed to work with are two completely different things. When I talk about a “5-weight” rod, I’m talking about a rod that is designed to cast a 5-weight line, which is defined as a line manufactured to a standard of roughly 140 grains (9.1 grams) of weight within its first 30 feet. A 6-weight casts a heavier line, a 4-weight casts a lighter line, and so on.
- You should choose a rod—and line—based on the types of flies you’re going to cast, not the types of fish you’re hoping to catch.
- A great line on a fair rod does more for your casting than a fancy rod with a beat-up line ever will.
- In most trout fishing situations, casting more than 40 feet is not just overkill, it’s counterproductive.
- Practice and time on water does more for casting distance and accuracy—as well as fish-fighting ability—than any rod or line ever will.
Now, having said all that, also know that roughly 75 percent of all fly rods sold in the United States are 9-foot 5-weights. The fly-fishing world indeed spins on an axis of trout. And that 5-weight is pretty good at throwing a lot of different bugs that catch trout, from size #18 dry flies to #10 woolly buggers. Thus, if I were looking to get a do-it-all rod, and I were only going to buy one rod, it’s hard to argue against the 9-foot 5-weight.
Need vs. want
But this brings up the real question many of us encounter during our fly-fishing endeavors:
What do you really need versus what do you really want?
The rod companies will of course tell you that you need different rods for different types of fishing. I’ll admit to being a sucker and buying that marketing speak, hook line and sinker… or fly line dry fly, nymphs and streamers, as it were. I’ve even gone so far as to explain to my wife (with little or no effect) that it’s a bit like golf clubs—you need different irons a driver and a putter to make different shots. Why not the same in fly fishing?
Well, because fly rods can cost a lot of money. Though I will say that for a few hundred bucks these days you can get a perfectly functional rod, with a warranty, that will see you through. Or you can find used rods that were priced at the top of the market seven years ago in the bargain basement now. Those rods cast exactly the same now as they did seven years ago.
Maybe instead of shelling out big bucks on one rod, you consider a three-for-one deal, especially if you think you’re going to do a lot of different types of fishing.
I like dry-fly fishing for trout most of all. And I’ve decided that an 8-1/2-foot, 4-weight, medium-fast action, is my favorite rod. That’s what I fish 80 percent of the time (for trout). Even when I fish a dry-dropper rig, I like the 4-weight. So, hypothetically, if I had to give up every rod I own but one (perish the thought!) I would choose to keep the 4-weight as the ultimate rod for trout
When I fish streamers, however, I prefer a 6-weight that can throw sink-tip lines and decent-sized, but not obnoxiously huge flies. I might fish streamers 15 percent of the time.
When nymph fishing, it’s less about the cast, and more about the feel. And though I don’t do a whole lot of it (maybe five percent) when I do opt to nymph fish, I like to Euro nymph. I like a 10-1/2-foot 3-weight rod for that. That rod size is also great for dry-fly fishing on lakes or ponds.
Match the fly rod to your fishing desires
So, the answer to the original “best rod for trout” question is … completely up to you and really more about the type of fishing you like best! Who am I to say?
Land on your own choice for trout and then you might open the next can of worms that is saltwater fly fishing (I will say a 9-foot 8-weight is the best place to start for most bonefish, redfish, striped bass and others, and you can also use that for steelhead, salmon, pike, etc.).
In any regard, feel free to use this “non-answer answer” as a pass to justify collecting as many rods as you want, whether you need them or not. Deeter says it’s more than okay. I’ll take the heat… you go have fun.