Welcome to my guide for the best fly rods for fishing overgrown streams.
All the fly rods I will be recommending will be 3wt that are shorter than 8ft in length. Such short rods are what I typically use when chasing trout in such streams. When fishing in overgrown streams space is often very limited, making it difficult to cast a longer rod. A long rod is also more likely to hit overhead branches while fighting a fish.
I also feel the need to point out, that there is another train of thought regarding what rod length is best in tight spaces. Some fishermen prefer longer rods, even exceeding 9ft in length.
These fishermen rarely cast behind themselves to load the rod. They use the rod length to dap the fly or fish in a style more comparable to a Tenkara rod, alternately they use bow and arrow or roll casting a lot. It is a legitimate and highly effective style of stream fishing, but it is not one I am overly familiar with so I will not be suggesting suitable longer rods in this guide.
This is also not an exhausted list of suitable rods, there are probably over a hundred fly rod brands and it is almost impossible to test them all. Testing fly rods is quite a difficult task because rods can perform quite differently based on the fly line they are fished with.
In this guide, I will share the rods I am most familiar with and that I know will perform well in overgrown streams.
Echo Carbon XL 3wt
Length: 7’6”
The Echo Carbon XL is well specced for a small stream trout rod. Its medium-fast action offers enough finesse for precise casts and gentle presentations. It might not have the power and speed to cast larger streamers or to punch into a headwind but such a rod is not really required when fishing a blue line beneath the canopy.
For a medium-fast rod 3wt, the Echo maintains a surprising amount of backbone for a 3wt, so it keeps enough in reverse to fight even bigger trout while being delicate enough to gently coach in stream brooks and browns.
When casting, it loads faster than expected, which makes me suggest pairing it with a fairly neutral tapered fly line. Maybe it is slightly light for a 3wt, but this quicker loading does make it cast well in confined spaces.
Warranty
The Echo Carbon XL comes with the Echo Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects. Such defects usually show up when the rod is new, so it’s a lifetime warranty in name only. Most other claims require a $35 fee which does not include postage and shipping.
So, the warranty is basically what you will expect to find for a rod at this price point.
Value / comparison
At around 179.99 the Echo Carbon XL offers a lot of rod for the money. It was not long ago, that I will expect to spend over $400 to get comparable performance. It really does offer great value for money and I do not hesitate to recommend it.
Fenwick Aetos 3wt
Length: 6 feet
The 6ft 3wt from Fenwick Aetos is another delightful small stream rod that retails for well under $200. The Greys gr60, from the same parent company, is also a very comparable rod. The very lightweight Fenwick Aetos excels at accurate, short casts and it handles such casts out to about 40ft with ease.
Even with very little line out, the Aetos’ medium-fast blank loads quickly, and flexes smoothly providing a nice amount of feedback. The softer tip provides a sufficient amount of buffer to cushion even #5 and #6 tippet.
When these characteristics are combined with the Aetos light weight and short length, it becomes the ideal weapon for situations where precision and a quality presentation are required but distance is not.
With regards to fly line pairing, I certainly will not overline it. Stick with a true 3wt line to get the best performance. I like the Rio gold, it has enough front weight for quick loading but not so much that the rod feels overwhelmed.
Warranty
The AETOS comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects. It does not cover normal wear and tear, misuse, or mistreatment. However, Fenwick will provide a new rod at a discounted rate if you do break it accidentally.
Value / comparison
Retailing for $189.95 the Fenwick Aestos is another compelling choice. Its action is ever so slightly softer and more forgiving than the Echo Carbon above making it the better choice for delicate, precise presentations. While the Echo has slightly more power in its bank for landing the occasional bigger fish. At this price point, it is a compelling option.
The Greys gr60 is a very similar rod, which is slightly more expensive but with a more generous warranty. So could be worth considering if you are rough on equipment.
Orvis Superfine Glass rod 3wt
The 7’6″ Orvis Superfine Glass rod as the name suggests is a fiberglass rod. It is an absolute joy to use on small overgrown creeks, but with enough reserve for larger trout in smaller freestone rivers. Casting is accurate out to about 40ft.
The aspect I like most about fiberglass rods is how forgivable they are, and the softness of the presentations. When fishing #6 tippet there is not much margin for error, and too aggressive of a strike can easily result in a break off. The inherent cushioning of a glass rod prevents it.
Another advantage glass has over carbon, is that the blank is a bit more durable. More likely to survive the rough and tumble of stream fishing. This extra durability does come at a price of slightly increased weight.
I had good results casting it with a Scientific Anglers Mastery Double Taper fly line. A smooth, slow stroke makes fishing small streams a breeze. The 406 Vintage series double taper lines also cast very well on glass rods but can be harder to find.
Warranty
The Orvis 25 year Guarantee might be the best warranty in the business. For a $60 ‘handling fee’ Orvis will fix or replace your fly rod no question asked.
Value and comparisons
I will use this section to summarize my thoughts on some of the other glass rods on the market.
I feel many people will find $500 is too much to spend on a fiberglass fishing rod, after all, glass used to be the budget option. Now the glass niche is demanding a premium.
I am going to briefly discuss a few more fiberglass rods, which I have not had a chance to thoroughly test.
While $500 might seem like a lot to spend on a glass rod, It is still possible to spend a lot more, for example, the Epic 370 which retails for over $1000. I can source one locally, so have no right to judge if it is worth the price or not. But it is an option.
Lamiglas also use to make a 6’6” fly rod in their honey series. While I was never a fan of the color, it was a real jewel of a rod to fish. Shame it has been discontinued. So a used honey rod in good condition is also worth considering.
Finally, if you want to get a feel for a fiberglass rod without investing a lot of money then the extremely affordable Eagle Claw Featherlight fly rod is a cheap introduction to the glass. Now, I am not saying it is a good rod, quite the opposite actually. Its line rating seems to be an underestimate, more 4wt than 3wt. It also seems to be rather tip heavy. Not a good rod by any means, but it still can cast a line and catches fish.
Sage Trout LL 379-4
Length: 7’9”
The Sage Trout LL 379 is a lightweight, responsive medium-action fly rod designed for dry fly fishing. It excels at close, precise casts and is simply a lovely rod to cast.
My personal bias is clearly in the Sage camp. I have fished them for my personal rods for years. But there is no denying the fact that Sage demands a premium price for their rods. A premium in my opinion is usually justified.
Sage is best known for their fast action fly rod, the Trout LL series is Sage’s attempt at a softer action rod, designed more for preciseness in presentation than outright speed and distance. They have done a very nice job.
The 7’9” 3wt is a special rod. Although, line pairing does matter to get the most out of it. It seems to pair extremely well with a Rio Gold which will load the blank beautifully allowing for casts between 15 to 60ft, but is most at home in the 15 to 30ft range. It is a small creek rod after all, but with enough flexibility for the occasional use on smaller freestone rivers.
The Trout LL has a nice soft tip, making the risk of breaking a lightweight tippet on too aggressive of a strike almost null. As expected from Sage it is an extremely nice rod.
Warranty
I have been nothing but impressed with Sage’s warranty service. For a nominal fee, I have been able to replace broken all lost sections on any of my sage fly rods.
Value/comparison
I always dread, trying to summarize whether a premium rod is good value for the money. There is no denying that the Sage trout LL is an expensive rod, but it is also an exceptional rod backed with excellent after market service. Will it catch more fish than a cheaper rod, no, but I am certainly happier when fishing with one.
The Thomas & Thomas Zone 763-4 is a good alternative, it is about $400 cheaper but with a less generous warranty.
