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Fly fishing is a great sport with great experience and fun for anglers. If you are a beginner interested in flying fishing, then all you need is a good fly fishing combo to get started.
A fly fishing combo usually comes with a fly fishing rod, a fully loaded fly reel, a fly line, a tippet, flies, and a leader. Since we know that as a beginner, you may be curious about fly fishing, we have come up with this article that briefs what a fly fishing rod is and the 10 best fly fishing combos for beginners. Some of the combos discussed here are affordable, have sturdy features, and many more as you read on.
What is a Fly Fishing Combo?
A fly fishing outfit is a combination pack that comes with the essential fly fishing equipment like:
Fly rod
Fly rods are fishing rods that are built mainly for fly fishing. These rods are mostly lightweight and thin compared to normal fishing rods. The fly rod has three main parts: the blank, grip, and reel seat. Blanks vary in different length and weight. A grip is a place where the angler holds the rod. The reel seat connects the fly reel and the fly rod. The fly rod is made of materials such as bamboo, fiberglass, and graphite.
Fly reel
The fly reel holds the line that we use for fishing. The fly reel should match the fly rod weight. The fly reel has a built-in dial that sets the drag and adjusts the line while fishing.
Fly line
The Fly line is the line that gets attached to the backing. The fly line helps the anglers cast the rod at a correct distance and often comes in bright green or orange.
Fly line backing
There may be many lines attached to the fly reel. The first line that gets tied to the fly reel is known as the backing of the reel. These lines are connected using the arbor knot, which ties the line to the reel.
What are the 10 Best Fly Fishing Combo for beginners?
All the below fly fishing combos are solid performers and targeted for beginners. The medium-fast action fly rod is ideal for short and medium-distance casting and is good for developing the skill of casting for any entry-level angler.
- Sage Foundation Outfit — Best Overall craftsmanship and performance
- Redington VICE Combo — Best Overall Performance Value
- Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit — Best Warranty
- Echo Base Fly Rod Kit — Best Distance/Accuracy Under $170
- Redington Crosswater Outfit Fly Combo — Best Casting Rod For Beginners
- Orvis Encounter Outfit — Best Beginner Rod & Reel Quality
- M MAXIMUMCATCH Fly Combo — Best Under $100
- Wild Water Fly Combo— Best 5/6-Weight For Kids
- Redington Path Fly Rod Outfit — Best Under $150
- Ventures Fly Co Fly Fishing Complete Combo — Best Fast-Action Outfit Rod
1. Sage Foundation Fly Fishing Combo – Best overall
The Sage Foundation, a USA-made rod, is one the best affordable fly fishing rod in this category. The Fly fishing combo comes with a Sage foundation fly rod, fly reel, fly line and rod and case holder, backing, and leader.
The rod is great in performance and craftsmanship, and the blank is graphite made. They feature fast action rod and offers excellent casting power. It is an effortless and stiff rod that can be used for easier long casting. It is also fit for throwing higher flies even in windy conditions, and it is good to have a 9 ft 5 weight rod for greater flexibility.
It can easily cast up to 30 ft distance and push up to 60-70 feet even in the worst weather conditions. The drag system can be adjusted easily and tightened, and the rod is good for freshwater and saltwater.
The fly reels perform outstandingly well and are good value-for-money rods from a trusted brand.
Pros
- Excellent casting power
- Stiff and sturdy
- A USA brand
- Effortless fishing
- Great quality
Cons
- A little bit expensive when compared to others in the category
- No alignment dots
2. Best Overall Performance Value – Redington VICE Fly Fishing Combo
As a beginner, you would always need a good rod to start with that has useful inbuilt features and should also fit your budget; here, the Redington Vice combo is the perfect fit. The rod is sleek, has a stylish design, and is an excellent entry-level fly fishing kit.
They are available in sizes from 8 ft 3 weight to 9 weights. The higher-end weight is designed to handle high winds and comes with fast-action rods. It comes at an affordable price and in dashing green and black blank, which looks incredible in the water. The rod can cast up to 20 ft with accuracy and can be extended up to 60 ft casting.
The rod is suitable for fishing in small and medium brooks and is good for fishing using dry flies, large nymphs, and also streamers. You can use it both in saltwater and freshwater, and extremely versatile. The rod is built for quick and smooth casting.
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Solid built
- Economical pricing
- Quick and smooth casting
- Accurate
Cons
- Does not transfer vibration till the end of the line
- Its purely a learning rod
3. Best Warranty – Orvis Clearwater Fly Fishing Combo
Orvis, the most trusted brand in this category, presents its entry-level fly rod, the Orvis Clearwater, known for its quality and sturdiness. This rod can be used for any condition fishing and is an all-around performer compared to other rods in this segment. It is good for both freshwater and saltwater.
The rods can be used in any river or even in small streams and offers moderate action with a good blend of power and strength. The rods are easy to cast and give the anglers an accurate cast and quick loading. They are flexible, and the reel is made of anodized aluminum for sturdy casting and to make it lightweight.
The Orvis Clearwater offers 25 years warranty with repair and replacement free of cost. The rod comes with a 9 ft 5 weight four-piece rod and is a good budget rod for new anglers. The rod is ideal for casting small flies or nymph fishing as they are more versatile and take you from an amateur to the next level.
Pros
- All-round fly fishing rod
- Up-to-date technology
- Lightweight
- Excellent Quality
- Accurate and precise
Cons
- Little expensive in the combo category
- Rods are somewhat stiffer
4. Best Distance/Accuracy Under $170- Echo Base Fly Fish Combo
The Echo Base is one of the best entry-level fly fishing combos a beginner can choose. They are accurate, and in terms of performance, the rod is just perfect. The rod comes in a low-cost range and is built with durable graphite blank.
The rod features medium-fast action and is available in weights ranging between 3-8 weight sizes. The rods are designed with high-quality components that improve ergonomics, performance, and durability. The rod is well-balanced and enables any novice angler to cast easily. The rods are ideal for casting heavy flies and even for short-distance casting. The rod is good to learn and suitable for any type of angling situation.
The fly line that comes with the rod is mainly set up for freshwater fishing, and if one needs to fish in saltwater, they have to match it with a different fly line. It has a subtle blue finish packed as a four-piece fly rod. The rods are lightweight and come with durable reels. The company also offers a lifetime warranty and replaces or repairs the parts caused due to any manufacturing defect.
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Lifetime warranty
- High performance
- Tough fabric coating
- Value for money
- Accurate
Cons
- Little light for saltwater
5. Best Casting Rod For Beginners- Redington Crosswater Outfit Fly Combo
If you are a beginner looking for an affordable fly fishing combo, then Redington Crosswater would be an ideal choice to fish, especially in saltwater. Redington is also a very trusted brand in fly fishing, and the rod features a medium to fast action, which is perfect for any beginner.
The Redington is durable and built strong to withstand even windy conditions. They are flexible enough to bend to the required level to catch the fish. This flexibility helps beginners to fish easily in salt water, as saltwater fishes fight hard, and this helps you to master the skill quickly.
The lower-weight rods are suitable for trout and bass fishing, and the 8 and 9-weight rods are perfect for medium-sized fishing fish. The Redington rods are the perfect entry-level rods designed and targeted only for beginners. The blanks are manufactured from graphite and are lightweight yet powerful.
The fly rod comes with a blue body finish, and a rod and reel carry case, making the rod easy to handle and store. The Crosswater reel is made with durable polymers and a strong inbuilt disc drag system that can handle hard-running fish. The Redington Crosswater comes with a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Consistent
- High-quality material
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Excellent price
Cons
- Limited warranty of 1 year
- Absence of a shoulder strap for the carry case
6. Best Beginner Rod & Reel Quality- Orvis Encounter Fly Fishing Combo
The Orvis Encounter Outfit is a really affordable and value-for-money rod. They are made by the most trusted brand Orvis and are assured of high quality. The rods are designed to cater to entry-level anglers and offer high performance.
They mostly come in different weights, such as 5, 6, 7, and 8, and are built mainly to target fishes like medium-sized fish, bass, and other freshwater fish. The Orvis encounter fly fishing combo is packed with a fly rod, reel, fly line backing, and even fly line.
The Orvis Encounter Outfit is a fast action fly rod that helps beginners to cast at a longer distance. The rod is made of graphite, which helps the anglers fish for longer without fatigue. They are strong and do not get broken easily. This rod can be used both in freshwater and saltwater. Read a complete review of the encounter rod.
Pros
- High quality
- Trusted brand
- Great reel and rod balance
Cons
- The fly line needs improvement
- Uses plastic reels
- The rod bag does not fit in the reels
7. Best Fly Fishing Combo for beginners Under $100- M MAXIMUMCATCH
Cabela Bighorn fly fishing combo is a great entry-level fly fishing rod combo known for its excellent quality and price range below $100. They are smoother and tight when compared to other fly rods. The fly fishing rod is durable and long-lasting and is good in freshwater.
The rods are real value for money, and the fly rod is graphite. These are medium-action fly rods that can be cast at short and medium distances without much effort.
The rod is strong and can be easily retrieved from left to right. They are lightweight and more reliable. They use hyper shoot technology, which helps to keep the line smooth for a long time and increases the line speed to make the casting easy.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Durable
- Smooth and great quality
- Lightweight and powerful
- Great manufacture guarantees
Cons
- Does not come with a protective case
- It cannot be compared with high-end reels
8. Wild Water Fly Combo – Best 5/6 -Weight For Kids
Cabela’s Synch fly fishing combo is another product from the well-known brand Cabela and is known for its quality and price-to-value ratio. The Cabela Synch is easy to use, crafted, and designed for beginners and kids.
It offers a smooth casting and comes with a moderate action rod. The rod helps to retrieve the line more quickly, and reel pairs are painted silver to give it a shiny appearance. The design and the cut are fantastic, and the fly rod comes in four pieces.
The assembly and installation are also easy, and it comes with a reel and rod carry case. The rod of 8 ft 6 weight is the best rod for beginners in this category and is ideal for catching trout. This rod is highly durable, and the blank is made of graphite. It offers maximum performance for the price and comes with high-quality rods. The rod can also easily be converted from left to right hand and has quick-release spools.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Highly affordable
- Easy assembly and installation
- High on performance
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Sometimes trouble to throw the line
9. Best Fly Fishing Combo for beginners Under $150- Redington Path
L.L Bean Quest fly rod is known for its quality product offering and is the best value for money fly fishing rod. The rods come with easy-to-cast action for new anglers and are lightweight. The rods are durable and long-lasting and are crafted with graphite blank.
This medium-action fly fishing rod is a great fit for beginners and comes with a protective reel and rod case. The rods are well-balanced, high quality, and perform well on water.
The fly fishing combo kit comes with a fly rod, reel, fly line, leader, and backing. The rods are available in different variants, such as 4’9 weight, and the best one would be to have 5 or 6 weight, which is more versatile and easy to handle.
Pros
- Medium fast action
- Well balanced
- High-quality line and reel
- One year warranty
Cons
- For a few, the rod seems to be a bit heavy
10. Best Fast-Action Outfit Rod- Ventures Fly Co Fly Fishing Complete Combo
Cabela Rogues is a great rod that comes as a good match to its price to value. It is a high-end rod mainly for freshwater but still priced at mid-range. The Rogue is a tough competitor to many rods that are even priced higher than this.
The rods fit and finish are good, and it casts well even at a distance. They come with a black matte finish, and the blank is built with high-density graphite to give it a more studier feel. The Rogue is a fast-action rod cast well, even at a shorter distance. It is accurate and gives high-end rod performance.
They are lightweight and have been on the favorite list of many customers for decades. The rod is super smooth, and the kit includes a rod, reel, fly line, backing, and rod case. It can be easily converted from left-hand to right-hand retrieve.
Pros
- Price to value
- Lightweight
- High-end performance
- High quality
- Studier
- Price to value
Cons
- A warranty could have been better
Tips for beginners while buying a fly fishing combo for beginners
Most of the fly rods in the market come with many features and add-ons. But as a beginner, you can just follow these simple tips that would help you choose the perfect the best Fly Fishing Combo for beginners:
- It is always ideal for a beginner to have a medium fly fishing rod as they are more flexible and more comfortable to learn.
- If you are planning for trout fishing, the ideal rod length would be between 8.5 and 9 feet.
- Next, would the rod weight. The rod weight depends on the type of fishing you will do. Rods come in varying weights, such as 3 weights to 10 weights. But 5 weight fly rod is best and perfect for the beginner as they are more versatile.
- Do not spend too much money on a fly rod combo. Always look at a mid-price range fly fishing combo.
- If you travel a lot, try to get a fly rod that can be folded into pieces for easy packing and also has a rod and reel carry case with shoulder loops.
- Make sure to buy combo packages with all the essential items, such as rod, reel, line, and backing.
- You can also check out the warranty with which the rods come to ensure that you invest in the right brand for a long time.
Conclusion:
If you are just getting into the new sport of fishing, it is always good to look at the budget or the value for money. Purchasing a fly fishing combo for beginners can be ideal for any beginner as it saves cost and avoids confusion and time.
You don’t have to get into the trouble of purchasing each component separately, as it may be a tiresome job and empty your pockets. To choose a perfect rod, you must first identify the type of fishing and the budget you are willing to shell. Combos are available with good-quality rods, reels, and fly lines.
We believe that any beginner could think that whatever we have recommended is worth looking at and is within the price range.