Fly fishing with a fiberglass fly rod is a unique experience.
Before graphite became the preferred material for fly rod manufacture, fiberglass was the material of choice. As a fly angler, learning to fish with a fiberglass rod and appreciating the many glass tapers available is a terrific way to hone your abilities.
Fishing with a fiberglass fly rod is a wonderful nostalgic activity. It will push you to slow down and appreciate the process, and when you do catch a fish on a fiberglass rod, it will feel and fight larger than its true size.
Best Overall Glass fiberglass Fly Rods
1. Thomas And Thomas Lotic Series Fiberglass Fly Rods
The Lotic fiberglass rod by Thomas and Thomas is a work of art. The T&T motto “the rod you’ll ultimately own” certainly applies to the Lotic.
It is sharp, resulting in superior line speed compared to a normal fiberglass stick. The medium action is a decent feel for a fiberglass rod, elevating it somewhat from the medium-slow to slow actions seen elsewhere in the fiberglass world.
Features/Specs
- Moderate action
- 2.5 ounces
- 3 wt – 5wt models
- Up-locking aluminum reel seat
- Swift and even line speed
You will be able to drop dry flies with pinpoint precision due to the Lotic’s amazing accuracy. With a Lotic in your arsenal, you will become a better dry fly angler due to its modest weight (2.5 oz) and beautiful appearance (dark blue blank).
2. Echo River Glass Fly Rod
Again, Echo offers an excellent alternative at an even better price.
The River Glass performs as one would expect from a fiberglass rod: slowly, smoothly, and with some delicacy. The S-Glass is slow and smooth, enabling you to feel the load and unload of your throw.
In addition to its slow and smooth action, the River Glass offers some leniency, allowing first-time fiberglass casters to adjust to the change in feel and timing that comes with switching from graphite. In addition, the River Glass weighs a total of 2.4 oz.
Features/Specs
- Handcrafted
- 2.4 ounces
- Med-quick response
- slow, precise delivery
- Echo lifetime guarantee
Despite the fact that the River Glass by Echo is not the most accurate fiberglass fly rod, it fulfills all expectations. It feels natural, which is one of the greatest attractions of fiberglass fishing rods.
3. Redington Butter Stick Fiberglass Fly Rod
Marketing does not bring in fish. But something about fishing with a fiberglass rod dubbed “Butter Stick” that has a throwback appearance and colors from the 1970s simply feels right.
With their fiberglass rod, Redington nailed it. The Butter Stick throws well and is responsive. It may take some time to establish your stroke with this rod, but the effort will be well worth it. This is likely to be especially true for any rod switching to fiberglass.
Features/Specs
- Retro Design
- Slow behavior
- 1 wt – 8wt models
- Cork grip with metal sliding rings
- Permanent warranty
The Butter Stick’s pliability and light weight make battling fish enjoyable.
It shares some of the same flaws as the River Glass in that a more expensive choice, like the Thomas & Thomas Lotic, is more accurate, but it more than makes up for this by presenting bushy dry flies with finesse.
The 7′ 3WT and 7’6″ 4 WT Butter Sticks are really enjoyable to fish with.
Best Fiberglass Fly Rods For Beginners
4. TFO Finesse Fiberglass Fly Rod
The Finesse Fiberglass Fly Rod from Temple Fork Outfitters is a rather powerful glass choice.
This rod boasts the highest power in the butt area of all the rods on the list, giving you confidence while battling fish.
Features/Specs
- Moderate Action
- Only available in a 4 wt model
- Locking sliding rings
- Cork half-wells grip
It possesses the desired touch and slowness in a fiberglass rod, and its action is slightly more forgiving than other rods on this list. This implies that as a novice, you’ll be able to pick up your cast quicker and more consistently, which is enormous.
The TFO Finesse is an excellent transition from graphite to fiberglass.
5. Moonshine Rod Co. Revival Series Glass Fly Rod
The Revival is the ideal fiberglass fishing rod. It is appropriately titled and lovely (the wood grain in the reel seat is a treat for the eyes).
The Revival flexes well into the handle, offering a fiberglass rod-like sensation. It’s just lenient enough to be welcoming to newcomers while still retaining the delicacy and finesse that drew them there in the first place.
Moonshine Rod Company offers a lifetime guarantee (as with our other “Best Fiberglass Rod for Beginners,” TFO’s Finesse), as well as an extra tip with your purchase.
The Revival is one of the best fiberglass fly rods for beginners because of features such as these.
Features/Specs
- Elegant wood grain
- sluggish movement
- Models available in 3 and 5 lb
- the aluminum locking reel seat
- includes an additional tip section
- Manufacturer’s warranty for life
Best Fly Rods Made of Fiberglass for the Money
6. Maximum Catch Fiberglass Fly Rod
Compared to graphite, fiberglass fly rods might be a bit more expensive, as there are fewer options. The Fiberglass Fly Rod from Maximum Catch is an obvious example.
At $89 or less, this fiberglass fly rod is a wonderful option for budget-conscious anglers wishing to test out fiberglass or add it to their rod collection.
In addition to a rod sock and a Cordura tube, it offers a number of useful features at this price.
Features/Specs
- Moderately quick motion
- 3 wt – 8wt models
- 5 different hues
- Permanent warranty
- Affordable
The medium-fast action of the rod makes it an excellent entry point into the world of fiberglass fly casting.
It also comes in a variety of hues. The fiberglass construction of this rod makes it much more pleasant than normal.
7. Aventik Eupheng Z Fiberglass Fly Rod
If you want to get a fiberglass fly rod without noticing the money leave your pocket, this Aventik rod is the way to go. This fiberglass rod is a fantastic deal, considering it costs only $72 (!).
It is constructed with a typical S-Glass taper, which provides the benefits of fiberglass with a more delicate and gentle approach.
The Z’s aluminum reel seat and cork grip give the impression that it is a more costly fiberglass fly rod than it actually is. It is easy to handle and cast. Purchase one of these rods and fish a local brook; you will not be disappointed.
Features/Specs
- Moderately quick motion
- available in 4 different colors
- Locking aluminum channel and reel seat
- Includes a sturdy carrying bag and rod sock
- 25-year guarantee
Why Are Fiberglass Rods Used?
Smoothness and finesse That is the purpose.
As a fly angler, it is enjoyable and worthwhile to find the optimal balance between smoothness and delicacy in your dry fly presentation. It is simpler to say than to do, which is half the joy.
Finding the optimal location in your cast to make dry flies cut through the air and land naturally on clear water is a moment of enlightenment.
Why not equip yourself with the proper equipment to specialize in this kind of presentation? This is where the retro aspect of fiberglass fly rods comes into its own. The slower movement of glass makes you slow down and feel your cast, which, when done correctly, results in a superior presentation. It’s also enjoyable.
Fighting and catching a fish on a fiberglass fly rod is a good way for me to remember why I fell in love with fly fishing in the first place.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Fiberglass Rods
There are a few instances in which fiberglass excels. Sometimes both of these conditions are present, which makes fiberglass an even more obvious option.
To begin with, I like to use a fiberglass rod when I know I’ll be largely presenting dry flies. As previously stated, a fiberglass rod enables you to reduce your casting stroke, resulting in a softer, more delicate presentation of a dry fly. This is why it is my preferred rod when I anticipate rising fish.
I also prefer to use a fiberglass rod while fishing in smaller waterways. If I’m going to be fishing a smaller river, a stream, or a high-alpine pond with short Stillwater presentations, you’ll find me opting for a fiberglass rod.
Due to the softer tip compared to graphite, it is well-suited for castings of 30 feet or less.
Consequently, there is no guideline for when to employ fiberglass. There is no rule requiring the use of fiberglass to fish dries effectively or limiting the use of fiberglass to tiny streams.
You can definitely fish nymph setups and streamers with a fiberglass rod, and you can even find a place for it on larger water (although with shorter throws).
Compared: Fiberglass and Graphite
I would compare fiberglass and graphite to apples and oranges. Each has its own benefits, and I will fish both. Occasionally, I use fiberglass and graphite simultaneously on the same body of water.
Graphite’s quicker action makes it ideal for casting larger flies (streamers, gigantic multi-nymph rigs, and enormous dry flies) in windier circumstances.
If I anticipate alternating between dry flies, nymphs, and streamers during the day and just want to bring one rod, graphite is the material of choice.
If the water is glassy and I want to catch fish from the surface, though, I go for fiberglass. If I know, I will be targeting smaller fish, and I will also favor fiberglass.
Graphite typically only bends at the top one-third of the rod, but fiberglass rods have a parabolic flex that extends to the tip of the rod.
This makes tiny fish feel more difficult to catch with a fiberglass rod. It is a unique pleasure to catch little sunfish or hesitant brook trout with a fiberglass fly rod.
Fiberglass Fly Rod Procedures
If you are attempting to cast a fiberglass rod for the first time, the best piece of advice is to bring patience.
Slow down. Relax. Feel the actors. Don’t attempt to push through.
This is the objective while casting a glass rod. It requires you to wait for your backcast and feel the rod load up. This might be challenging for novice fiberglass fly rod users. That’s okay.
Be patient with yourself and give yourself sufficient time to discover the ideal timeframe. During the backcast, it may be good to swivel your head over your casting shoulder and see your line unroll behind you. This visual assistance will assist you in perfecting your timing.
As soon as you’ve slowed down your cast enough, the rod will begin to perform the job instead of your arm. Feeling your fiberglass casting stroke strike the sweet spot between “a little slower” and “there it is” is really satisfying.
Conclusion/Tightening Up
Fly fishing with a fiberglass fly rod is an excellent method to find new (or old) enjoyment.
It is a fantastic approach to becoming a more skilled and well-rounded fly angler. You will get a better understanding of your casting stroke and how your rod, line, arm, and gravity work together to unfold your leader and deliver a fly.
This guide to fiberglass fly rods should have given you a better understanding of what makes fishing with a fiberglass fly rod so enjoyable and what rod may be the best fit for you.