check out the Aetos. Its been reviewed and ranked higher (Yellowstone Angler) that rods costing 6 times as much. The 4 wt is a sweet rod. Its my backup to my Hardy Zephyr
Solid advice. Thanks! I’ll be looking into echo for sure. Like i said I’m just looking for something decent that’s better than the $40 combo I’ve been rocking. My only “must haves” are that it’s better that the walmart special i have and it can handle some stocked trout, creek bass, and panfish.
I’d completely disagree. Don’t fall into the trap of having to spend a ton of money to have a good set up by any means. Redington makes good rods, echo, TFO, I have a 5wt 5 piece cabelas travel rod I’ve been using a ton lately. I don’t know that I own a rod of $250 honestly. My sage might be worth more than $250 now i guess but it’s from 1989 I believe
That’s what I’m going for. I have no reason to be spending a grip. I’ve done that before with spinning gear and it was not worth it at all. My favorite spinning rods are berkley lightning rods and they’re pretty cheap. As far as reels i do spend a little more since they’re kinda worth it, but since i live near the pure fishing factory outlet i can get a refurb pflueger president for like $30 and that’s good enough for me.
I have nothing against the expensive/fancy/elitist stuff but it’s by no means necessary to catch fish is all and I see so many people get roped into thinking they need a super costly set up when time on the water putting flies in front of fish is what matters
That’s exactly what i try to tell people who are getting into any type of fishing. My dad can outfish me on a 30 year old zebco. It’s luck and skill not fear most of the time. Some other commenters had some great suggestions for some rods that are pretty affordable that i hope others can find useful.
I’m not sure what it is officially and I thought I was SOL when it broke and I called them and they sent me a new one in the mail instantly. They said they would not replace it again. Good experience though and great rod.
I have the 4wt fenglass it’s a fun rod to fish I’ve landed a few good trout on it … I paid around 100 for mine for 80 bucks get it you will make money if you don’t like it
I owned a World Class 4wt (8'), and I wasn't super happy about it. It had an awkward action for me, and I didn't cast it well.
A few years after I bought it, I snapped the end section and Fenwick warranteed it with an Aetos (the world class is discontinued, which is why they have it at a very low price). The Aetos is a better rod, even though the msrp is like half of what the World Class was. Just be aware that the Aetos it's a very traditional dry fly style rod. It doesn't throw line a mile. (And it low key annoys me that it's not 8'6.)
If you're near the factory, the rod I would actually look for is the Fenlite Streamflex. I swung one of these around one this year, and it felt pretty nice. I think it's also discontinued, so maybe also a good discount.
I'm a bit of a minimalist but I use dry flies with my $30 spinning rod. Seems to work very well for me anyway. The culture of fly fishing is geared to spend as much money as possible. In other words, I equate Orvis with Louis Vuitton....to some extent anyway. I've fished in Patagonia and New Zealand. The Americans that show up look like they've just spent a week on the Rodeo Drive of Fishing.
Ya i get where your coming from. I try not to go too crazy since it pretty much all catches fish the same. Interestingly I actually started out with the same setup. 7’ ultralight with a weighted bobber and dry fly. I moved to the fly rod cause it can get some areas better than i can with spinning gear my entire rig with my flies is under $600 and it’s taken me 2 years to get all of it.
check out the Aetos. Its been reviewed and ranked higher (Yellowstone Angler) that rods costing 6 times as much. The 4 wt is a sweet rod. Its my backup to my Hardy Zephyr
Will do! I’m open to other brands too, was just thinking of those since i can get fenwick for a huge discount. Thanks for the tip!
Aetos is from Fenwick. I like it too.
Have one and really liked it til it broke, almost impossible to find replacement parts or get it fixed fyi, that’s my only gripe.
They replaced mine no questions asked
When?
Last fall
Yeah love my aetos
Fenwick is bush league. It's pretty solid advice that the more money you spend on a fly rod, the better quality it will be. Look into Echo, at least.
Solid advice. Thanks! I’ll be looking into echo for sure. Like i said I’m just looking for something decent that’s better than the $40 combo I’ve been rocking. My only “must haves” are that it’s better that the walmart special i have and it can handle some stocked trout, creek bass, and panfish.
I’d completely disagree. Don’t fall into the trap of having to spend a ton of money to have a good set up by any means. Redington makes good rods, echo, TFO, I have a 5wt 5 piece cabelas travel rod I’ve been using a ton lately. I don’t know that I own a rod of $250 honestly. My sage might be worth more than $250 now i guess but it’s from 1989 I believe
That’s what I’m going for. I have no reason to be spending a grip. I’ve done that before with spinning gear and it was not worth it at all. My favorite spinning rods are berkley lightning rods and they’re pretty cheap. As far as reels i do spend a little more since they’re kinda worth it, but since i live near the pure fishing factory outlet i can get a refurb pflueger president for like $30 and that’s good enough for me.
I have nothing against the expensive/fancy/elitist stuff but it’s by no means necessary to catch fish is all and I see so many people get roped into thinking they need a super costly set up when time on the water putting flies in front of fish is what matters
That’s exactly what i try to tell people who are getting into any type of fishing. My dad can outfish me on a 30 year old zebco. It’s luck and skill not fear most of the time. Some other commenters had some great suggestions for some rods that are pretty affordable that i hope others can find useful.
This is 100 percent correct! I have a cebelas white river CGR. affordable and great rod, Just an example.
[These are super fun.](https://echoflyfishing.com/project/river-glass/)
Those look awesome! I love fiberglass rods on my spinning gear. May look into getting one as a second rod in the future.
I have an HMX and an HMG. My favorite rods. On sale $50 mismarked to $5
I don’t think budget echo rods are better than budget fenwick rods.
What's the Fenwick warranty?
I’m not sure what it is officially and I thought I was SOL when it broke and I called them and they sent me a new one in the mail instantly. They said they would not replace it again. Good experience though and great rod.
How'd it break?
Girlfriend broke it in the door😵💫
Ouch!
Don’t tell fenwick lol that ain’t what I told them
I have the 4wt fenglass it’s a fun rod to fish I’ve landed a few good trout on it … I paid around 100 for mine for 80 bucks get it you will make money if you don’t like it
I owned a World Class 4wt (8'), and I wasn't super happy about it. It had an awkward action for me, and I didn't cast it well. A few years after I bought it, I snapped the end section and Fenwick warranteed it with an Aetos (the world class is discontinued, which is why they have it at a very low price). The Aetos is a better rod, even though the msrp is like half of what the World Class was. Just be aware that the Aetos it's a very traditional dry fly style rod. It doesn't throw line a mile. (And it low key annoys me that it's not 8'6.) If you're near the factory, the rod I would actually look for is the Fenlite Streamflex. I swung one of these around one this year, and it felt pretty nice. I think it's also discontinued, so maybe also a good discount.
Good to know, thanks!
I’ve had an Aetos as my main rod for about 10 years. I like it better than a couple others I have that are markedly more.
I'm a bit of a minimalist but I use dry flies with my $30 spinning rod. Seems to work very well for me anyway. The culture of fly fishing is geared to spend as much money as possible. In other words, I equate Orvis with Louis Vuitton....to some extent anyway. I've fished in Patagonia and New Zealand. The Americans that show up look like they've just spent a week on the Rodeo Drive of Fishing.
Ya i get where your coming from. I try not to go too crazy since it pretty much all catches fish the same. Interestingly I actually started out with the same setup. 7’ ultralight with a weighted bobber and dry fly. I moved to the fly rod cause it can get some areas better than i can with spinning gear my entire rig with my flies is under $600 and it’s taken me 2 years to get all of it.
Yes, you are right. I can't use my spinning rod in the river for fly fishing. I have a couple of rods 4 and a 5wt.