There are great fly rod options in the mid-price point these days. Here are our top choices for the best mid-priced fly rods in the $375 to $750 price range*, rods that won't totally kill the bank account but won't leave you wishing you got something better down the road.
We evaluate rods we bring into the shop based on how well they cast close and far, how they feel in hand, how well they can accommodate casting faults, the quality of their components, and their value compared to other products on the market. The following rods are ones that standout and also receive excellent reviews from our customers.
*Prices and availability subject to change
Trout and All-Purpose Freshwater Rods
G. Loomis IMX-PRO V2 - $625
Certainly a staff favorite we like to recommend to customers, the G. Loomis IMX-PRO V2 rods are simply nice rods that cast like a dream and feel like a feather. Available in 4wt - 8wt in a variety of length options, there is an IMX-PRO V2 for exactly your need. Buy the IMX-PRO V2 and get a FREE fly line for one of the best deals in fly fishing. More Info.
Sage Arrow - $725
Sage Arrow fly rods look and feel like the high-end Sage rods the company is famous for. Beautiful components, craftmanship and even the rod sock and tube are all top-notch with the Sage Arrow. More importantly, they also cast and feel like a rod way beyond their price point. With a super light and fast-action feel, the Sage Arrow rods are available in 14 models from 3wt to 8wt for everything from small trout creeks to winter steelhead. Buy it and get a FREE fly line. More Info.
Saltwater Rods
Echo Boost Blue - $399.99
The Echo Boost Blue is a standout rod designed for the challenges of saltwater environments and saltwater fish. Available from 6wt through 12wt, the Echo Boost Blue has just about everything covered. Super lightweight, crisp, and a joy to cast. this rod has been popular for good reason. More Info.
G. Loomis IMX-PRO V2S Saltwater - $625
The IMX-PRO V2S saltwater fly rods from G. Loomis cast with a smoothness similar to the freshwater version, but are built for extra control in the wind and extra tip and lifting power to pickup line for quick re-casts Available in 6wt up to 12wt to handle just about everything the saltwater can bring. Buy it now and get a FREE fly line. More Info.
Scott Wave - $695
Scott Wave fly rods are fast-action rods with the power for casting distance, driving casts into the wind, picking up line quickly, and pulling on large fish. Scott Wave rods are light as a feather but don't lack the power necessary for saltwater fish and conditions. They are equally at home casting streamers in Montana, silvers in Alaska or casting to permit in Belize. Available in 6wt to 12wt, they have a lot to offer at an excellent price. Buy it now and get a FREE fly line. More Info.
Spey/Switch Rods
Echo Full Spey - $649.99
An exceptional Spey rod at any price, the Echo Full Spey is very light in hand and incredibly smooth-casting. At its price point, this is definitely one to consider for a mid-priced Spey rod. We're pretty snobby on Spey rods and this rod is a winner. Available in 6wt, 7wt and 8wt sizes, all at 13-feet, this is a do-it-all rod wherever you live for smaller steelhead/salmon all the way up to big winter steelhead and chum salmon. Buy it now and get a FREE Skagit/Scandi head. More Info.
G. Loomis IMX-PRO V2 Shortspey - $675
These 11' 1" Spey rods are lightweight trout Spey rods designed for everything from swinging soft hackles on a Scandi head to heavyweight, articulated trout streamers on a Skagit head and sink-tip. Also available in larger sizes, we offer the 2wt, 3wt and 4wt sizes for trout, char, etc. IMX-PRO V2 Shortspey rods are so light, they feel like a single-hander but can chuck line like the big rods and won't leave you wanting more. Buy it now and get a FREE Skagit/Scandi head. More Info.
Echo TR Spey - $425
With both steelhead/salmon and trout Spey sizes, the Echo TR rods have a lot to offer at a very friendly price. Echo TR rods are medium-fast to fast in action. They have the power to launch casts with the best of them. Slightly heavier than rods two or three times its price, but a very easy-casting and versatile Spey rod, the TR series have been very popular for years for a good reason. More Info.
Bass/Pike Rods
Sage Payload - $750
Sage Payload rods are designed to cast big flies and pair with lines designed for the same purpose. Available in 6wt to 11wt sizes, the 6wt to 9wt sizes are slightly shorter at 8' 9" for accurate, pinpoint casts to shoreline cover and perfect for casting large, air-resistant flies for largemouth and pike. Buy it now and get a FREE fly line. More Info.
Summary
There you have it. Ten great mid-price fly rods that you can't go wrong with. Let us know if you have questions on any of these rods or, if you're in our local area, stop by the shop at any time to give them a cast on the pond.