We should clear things up right away by saying we don’t believe in any such thing as “streamer season”. There’s no bad time of year to fish a streamer. But if you had to pin us down, we’d admit that the fall months are the highpoint of streamer fishing. Hungry trout are feeding opportunistically, packing on calories before winter.
When you swing a streamer down through the current, there’s no comparable feeling to the sudden jolt of a streamer strike. And throwing these big flies is made a whole lot easier with the right fly rod.
There are a number of things anglers should look for in an ideal streamer rod. Take it from the streamer junkies here at the fly shop. If you’re on the hunt for a great streamer fly rod, consider these tips:
Keep these important factors in mind as you look for a streamer rod:
Fly Size
Streamers are heavy. From size 10 streamers with heavy cone heads, all the way up to much larger articulated flies, a great streamer rod needs to be able to deliver these types of flies comfortably.
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Type of Fly Line
When choosing a streamer rod, it helps to consider the types of fly lines you’ll be casting. These might be floating lines or sinking lines. Streamer fly lines tend to have short, heavy front tapers that are capable of turning over these heavy flies. In addition to the weight of the fly mentioned above, a great streamer rod should pair well with these types of fly lines.
Lifting Power
Rods that are effective for streamer fishing will have a stout butt section and relatively powerful mid section that provide sufficient lifting power.
Fighting Butt
Many anglers prefer a fighting butt on their streamer rods. But ultimately, this comes down to personal preference. If you’re unsure, we’d recommend coming down to the fly shop to feel the difference and cast both.
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Handling Wind
From blustery fall days on the Colorado River, to windy spring days at ice-off on a mountain lake, a great streamer rod needs enough backbone to handle windy conditions. Stiffness in any fly rod is a relative thing and highly personal from one angler to a next. The best way to decide on the right feel, is to cast several rods side-by-side.
Fresh and Salt Water
While any streamer rod can be used interchangeably between fresh and saltwater, a more dedicated saltwater rod is built to handle serious wind and other demanding conditions. If you plan to use a streamer rod in both fresh and saltwater scenarios, this is something to consider.
Our Top Recommendations for Streamer Fly Rods:
Redington Vice - $199.99
TFO Axiom II & Axiom II-X - $339.95 - $369.95
Scott Tidal - $475.00
Sage Sonic - $550.00
Winston Alpha+ - $935.00
Sage Igniter - $900.00
Sage X - $900.00
Scott Sector - $985.00
Contact Us With Questions
If you have questions about fly rods or if you’d like to come cast a few, please stop by the fly shop or give us a call at 303-794-1104. We’d love to help you find a streamer fly rod that fits your fishing style, casting style and personal preferences.
If you already have a rod picked out, remember that we offer free shipping on all online orders or curbside pickup.