The fly rod is one of the more versatile rod weights on the market.
They can easily handle 4-6wt lines which allow you to cast for a variety of fish. They can also be used for a wide range of fly fishing techniques.
So, the best 5wt fly rod is an essential piece of equipment to have in your arsenal.
In this article, we will take a look at five of the best 5wt fly rod models on the market that are available at an affordable price.
These rods are durable and are tested for top performance on the water.
Table of Contents
The Best 5wt Fly Rod 2020 – My Top 5 Picks
- Echo Base Fly Rod
- Temple Fork Outfitters BVK Series
- Fenwick AETOS
- G. Loomis NRX Fly Rod
- Redington Path II
Echo Base Fly Rod
One 5 weight fly rod that is gaining popularity recently is the fly fishing world Echo Base Fly Rod.
The main reason it has become so popular is because of the affordable price tag and high-end performance specs. While a lot of anglers might think of this as a backup rod, it can easily become your go-to trout rod.
The 5wt model is 9′ in length and weighs 3.2oz.
It also comes in a 4-piece design that makes it more portable and a decent option for a traveling fly rod and comes with a Cordura nylon-covered rod case.
The deep blue blank finish is aesthetically pleasing. The uplocking reel seat is made from anodized aluminum and holds your reel securely in place without loosening even after several trips if you like to keep your reel attached.
The rod uses a single SiC stripping guide along with chrome snake guides that are securely embedded into the rod blanks. We also like the quality of the cork grip.
This is a medium-fast action rod that can handle small midges to medium-sized streamers with ease. It keeps tight loops and can present flies delicately from 20-60′ without much issue.
We like the action of this rod because it’s great for newer anglers that might still need a little assistance loading the rod, but it gives more experienced anglers the ability to pick up and load line quickly and easily.
This graphite rod has a good deal of backbone, and while it’s not the most sensitive of rods, you can pick up a lot of line and put some leverage on larger fish without fear of snapping your leader or tippet.
Additional Reading: The Best 6wt Fly Rod 2020 – My Top Picks
Temple Fork Outfitters BVK Series
Does the Temple Fork Outfitters BVK Series have what it take to be considered the best 5wt fly rod?
We say yes, but don’t take our word for it.
Check out some of these great features.
The 5wt BVK rod from Temple Fork Outfitters is available in several length options including an 8’6”, 9’, and 10’ option which weighs between 2.8 and 3.2oz.
Designed by the fly fishing legend, Lefty Kreh, this rod performs well above its price tag.
The dark olive blank finishes make this fly rod look like it should be in the water and it pairs well with the comfortable half well cork grip.
The olive carbon fiber reel seat features an uplocking mechanism that will hold your reel securely. The threading on the locking mechanism can be a pain at times, but overall functions well.
This is a fast action rod that can load up a tremendous amount of line and deliver your fly at incredible distances for a 5wt rod.
While you can easily put flies out to 70’, it’s a short-range game is not the most delicate or most accurate. With the various lengths available you can get better short-range accuracy by going with a shorter model.
It’s a pretty stiff rod and has a good deal of power, so it’s not the best choice for delicate presentation and fishing techniques, though it is possible. This 5wt rod excels as a large fly and streamer fly rod.
It has no problem picking these heavier flies and line out of the water, loading, and giving you tight loops and accuracy.
It’s also fantastic at working and landing larger trout and even bass.
You May Also Enjoy Reading: The Best 7wt Fly Rod 2020 – My Top Picks
Fenwick AETOS
Another great 5 weight fly rod is the Fenwick AETOS 5 Wt Fly Fishing Rod.
Too many anglers dismiss the Fenwick AETOS because it is available in retail stores.
And while too many rods bought from these places are just wet noodles in the water, the AETOS is a pleasant surprise.
The cork grip is usable, though not as durable or high quality as other grips for rods on this list.
The deep blue blank finish makes it a beautiful rod on the river and the gunsmoke stripper guides and double foot snake guides are sturdy and distribute weight across the entire rod length making working larger fish more effective.
It is extremely affordable and is a great rod to start someone out in the sport. It has a fast action taper that is great for taking up a decent amount of line and putting it back in the water.
This rod does well in the 20-40′ range with tight loops and good accuracy. Its short game isn’t the best, but out past 45′ it might take a little extra effort, but you can put the fly where you want.
This rod has moderate power and it is perfect for working trout and small bass effectively.
The sensitivity on this rod is fair, but the tip is stiffer than most would like, but for general trout fishing, it functions well.
G. Loomis NRX Fly Rod
For many that have been fly fishing for a long time will not be surprised with the next fly rod to make our list of the best 5 weight fly rod, it is the G. Loomis NRX Fly Rod.
The NRX line from G-Loomis is one of the greatest investments you can make if you are or want to get serious about fly fishing. Its performance is truly unparalleled in the fishing world.
Yes, it’s significantly more expensive than other fly rods on this list but its steeper price is warranted, and we couldn’t help but include it.
We have been on the river for over fifteen years, and a better fly rod has never passed through our hands.
This graphite blanks have a deep olive finish and matching graphite reel seat. The uplocking mechanism is smooth and keeps your reel locked tightly in place.
It also features one of the highest quality cork grips we have ever used. The rod has two “unbreakable” stripping guides along with secure aluminum/titanium guides along the rest of the rod’s length.
This 5wt, 9ft rod has a moderate fast action taper and medium power. It also features a wonderfully soft tip that allows very finesse fishing and delicate presentation.
You can detect the lightest takes with this rod.
The soft tip and action allows this rod to work well at casts within 30’ and even at ranges up to 55’.
It covers just about any distance you are likely to encounter fishing for species a 5wt fly rod is going to be used for.
It’s got the backbone to land larger trout, and the soft tip allows the hard hooksets without fear of breaking off the lightest of tippets and leaders.
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Redington Path II
Let’s conclude our list of the best 5wt fly rod by taking a closer look at the Redington Path II.
This rod comes in both 8’6” and 9’ 4-piece models.
It features an anodized aluminum uplocking reel seat with a graphite insert of the same burgundy finish as the blanks. The cork grip is decent enough for you to keep a comfortable grip even after getting wet and handling fish, but it won’t last as long as higher quality cork.
The action is medium-fast which we like for its versatility. Beginning anglers can better handle the slower loading of the rod making it easier to form tight loops.
It’s still got enough flex in it to quickly load up for more experienced anglers who have a better idea of what they’re doing on the water.
For its discount price, it finds a nice balance between sensitivity and power, which can sometimes be hard to find in some of the high-end fly rods.
It’s still not great for extremely light tippet and flies, but it can comfortably handle most of the flies and techniques used in the trout stream.
Final Thoughts…
If you’re unsure of the exact type of fish you’re wanting to chase or looking for a gift for a fly angler you know, a 5wt rod is a safe bet.
They are versatile rods that have the ability to catch fish that need a light presentation as well as the power to land larger fish.
We have listed five models that we are confident will perform well on the water and give you years of enjoyment.
What do you think is the best 5 weight fly rod? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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