Having a quality fly fishing rod matters because it will let you control the fish better, and it will allow for greater sensitivity to know when to set the hook after a fish strikes your lure. American-made fly rods offer you quality, and as an added bonus you’re supporting your nation.
Unfortunately, you may not know what brands produce in the United States. Even if they sell several products made in the US, not all of them may be produced here. We put together this list of great fly rods made in the USA to remedy that problem. Simply scroll through this list and find a rod that fits your budget.
List of American-Made Fly Fishing Rods
Sage X Fly Rod
| Estimated Price | $760 to $1300 |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Rod Length | 7 foot 6 inches to 9 feet |
| Fly Rod Action | Fast action |
| Water Orientation | Freshwater |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
Sage handcrafts its fly rods at its manufacturing facility in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Don Green, the founder of Sage, started the company in 1980, and along with owning Sage, he owned the famous Fenwick brand as well. He started Sage with the goal of designing the best high-performance fly rods in the world.
Green owned a third fly rod company called Grizzly Fiberglass, but in fact, it was his first company. He owned it up until 1969, when he merged it with Fenwick. In 1978, he sold it before he began Sage in 1980. We highlight this information to show you a true master of the craft who contributed innovation, high standards, and expertise to the industry. It explains why many seasoned fishermen consider Sage fly rods the standard of excellence.
Today, Far Bank Enterprises owns Sage Fly Fishing, and they employ an estimated 140 people. They rank as the biggest producer of fly fishing rods in the United States, and they keep no fewer than 15 series in production.
What We Like About This Rod:
The X Fly Rod is a fast-action rod. Fast action means this rod is well-suited for long casts and windy days and many people find them less physically demanding. It’s not generally a good rod for beginners because the power behind it may make it difficult to develop an intuitive feel for the line and fly.
We wouldn’t say for a beginner not to buy it, but they should understand how they could buy an easier choice like medium action for starting out.
Fast action rods also don’t make sense in scenarios for short casting since the stiffer rod makes it perfect for powerful casts. You lose accuracy with the cast, but it can cast much farther than other rod action types.
The feel and the appearance of the X Fly Rod distinguish it from the less expensive rods. Holding it in your hands, you feel the lightness, but you never doubt its capabilities because of the balance in the design.
They designed the X Fly Rod as the do-it-all rod that can handle a variety of scenarios. We would describe this rod as heavy-tipped.
Who We Recommend it for:
We would recommend the X Fly Rod to individuals with some experience in fly fishing. You might choose this rod for lightweight fish like crappies, small trout, and bluegill. In cases where you consistently need to cast for long distances, the X Fly Rod will serve you well.
It holds to its accuracy at around 30 to 35 feet. The X Fly Rod offers a softer and subtler cast than its competitors.
In terms of appearance, this fishing rod looks better than 95 percent of the rods out there. If you wanted a good-looking fishing rod, this rod stands a cut above the rest. The prohibitive cost in comparison to other choices may make it less attractive, but those willing to pay more won’t be disappointed.
Sage LL Trout
| Estimated Price | $850 to $930 |
| Material | Konnetic HD blank |
| Rod Length | 7 foot 9 inches to 9 feet |
| Fly Rod Action | Medium action |
| Water Orientation | Freshwater |
What We Like About This Rod:
We mention this one because it’s another classic in the Sage lineup. You can’t go wrong with either the LL Trout or the X Fly Rod, but we would like to highlight the key differences between the two to make your decision easier. If you want to take a rod into a variety of situations and do well, go with the X Fly Rod. On the other hand, if you want to do a lot of dry fly fishing, the LL Trout remains the unchallenged superior.
For those who plan to go off the beaten path and target wild trout, also known as blue lining, the Sage LL Trout hands you the perfect blue-liner rod. We think of the LL Trout as the classic trout rod with a walnut reel seat and a bronze-up locking design.
Sage made this rod in all weights and lengths to target the trout in all environments. Choose the Size 3 for fishing in small creeks and streams. The Size 4 makes sense for the best of all worlds. You would pick the Size 5 for when you want to fly fish on larger rivers and lakes.
This is a medium-action rod. That means that you will receive the best of the fast action and the best of the slow action. It offers you the compromising middle ground with greater versatility. Medium action poses less challenge for beginners, and they work especially well with moving baits, such as crankbaits and fast-moving lures. Keep in mind that a medium-action rod lacks the sensitivity of a fast-action rod.
Medium-action rods present dries better than fast action because how they make less noise during the presentation. You want a rod that can present and dries well to an easily alarmed trout.
Who We Recommend it for:
Beginners will find a medium action rod like the LL Trout a better choice—with that said, the X Fly Rod offers more versatility, and a beginner might appreciate the ability to do a variety of fishing activities. The LL Trout is more limited and specialized in its scope, and if you could only own one rod, we find the X Fly Rod less limiting.
For dry fly fishing, the LL Trout was designed for that purpose. Its core casting range sits between 30 to 50 feet. They designed the rod for small rivers, and if you love to spend your summer days wading out in a creek or river, the LL Trout will perform well. It does well for a specific kind of fishing.
We wouldn’t recommend this rod for winter streamer fishing because it wasn’t designed for that. It also does poorly for heavy fly casting. Even at a size like a 5, you would feel disappointed. Trout fishing requires a special rod to do well with it, and the LL Trout was specifically designed for it.
G. Loomis CrossCurrent GLX Fly Rod
| Estimated Price | $820 |
| Material | Nickel |
| Rod Length | 9 feet |
| Fly Rod Action | Fast action |
| Water Orientation | Saltwater |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
All G Loomis rods are made at the factory in Woodland, Washington. Kirk Deeter, the G Loomis Plant, stands as one of the last few large-scale manufacturing facilities for fishing rods left in the United States.
Back in 1997, when Shimano, a Japanese fishing gear manufacturer, acquired G. Loomis, many anglers were concerned that they would migrate the manufacturing overseas. We respect Shimano because, throughout the entire 25 years and more that they have owned G. Loomis, they have always held strong to American tradition and seen the factory in Woodland as a strong selling point for the products.
Shimano has even empowered its team in Woodland to invest in upgrades for the machinery.
They remain one of the biggest employers in Woodland, where they hire over 100 employees. Their average turnover rate sits at around 12 years—a long time for a major fishing rod company, which tells us that they treat their employees well. G. Loomis offers a program referred to as Xpeditor, which means that if your rod breaks, they will replace it quickly without questions.
What We Like About This Rod:
Being a fast-action rod, you can push a lot of lines easily with it. Some fly fishermen may not like the tip of the rod, however, because it lacks sensitivity compared to other rods. The sensitivity matters because it allows you to judge when to move the bait. Without a sensitive rod, you can’t tell when the bait hits the bottom and when to keep it moving.
I find the overall look and appearance of this rod attractive, and the style uses a classic wooden cutout at the handle to make it even easier on the eyes.
This stands out as one of the best casting rods on the market. It casts like a trout rod. The GLX is a saltwater rod, but like all saltwater rods, you can use it for saltwater or freshwater. Saltwater simply means that it can withstand the corrosive saltwater from the ocean, but you could use it for freshwater as well. Still, you will want to clean it after each session with saltwater fly fishing.
Who We Recommend it for:
We would recommend that you buy this rod for those anglers who want a smooth and pleasant cast. The characteristics of this rod make it the perfect choice for windswept fishing flats.
When you compare this rod up alongside a Sage, they both offer unconditional warranties. The shipping and handling charges may cost more for Loomis, but their warranty is the superior one.
You might want the CrossCurrent GLX for aggressive casting and to fight the bigger fish, and it has become the favored weapon when it comes to going after redfish, tarpon and permit. They even have a couple of models that they designed for going after tuna and billfish.
Popular Related Article: Our Favorite American Made Fishing Reels
Waterworks-Lamson Center Axis Saltwater System
| Estimated Price | $400 |
| Material | Graphite |
| Rod Length | 9 feet |
| Fly Rod Action | Fast action |
| Water Orientation | Saltwater |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
Waterworks-Lamson assembles its fly fishing rods in Boise, Idaho. They design all of their rods in-house. Waterworks began exploring the fly fishing market in 1996 when they started the company. Lamson, on the other hand, was started in 1937, but Waterworks acquired the brand in 1998 when they bought it from Sage. They have used the hyphenated partnership label ever since as Waterworks-Lamson.
Ryan Harrison owns the company, and the brand offers a broad range of fly fishing rods and reels. Waterworks and Lamson now share the same core technology. In particular, Waterworks-Lamson has become world-renowned for its drag system.
Historically, Waterworks-Lamson has a better reputation for its fly reels, but you can also buy fly fishing rods from them.
What We Like About This Rod:
Featuring an attractive gunmetal reel seat and a gray sky color, we would call this one of the more attractive fly rods on the market today. It looks drastically unique to other rods in the market. The composite cork upper section gives you a better grip when you put a fish at the end of your hook.
The rod weighs more than other saltwater rods on the market at 4.35 ounces. During casts, you never feel this rod as overly heavy. We would characterize this rod as smooth and powerful. The other advantage of buying the Center Axis Saltwater System comes from the fact that it includes the reels as well. Instead of paying more for a reel, you just need some fishing line, and you can go right into fishing.
Pay special attention to the placement of the reel—it differs in that they put it farther back. The idea behind this is to make the casting strokes easier. You will feel the weight of the line more than the reel.
This rod was designed as a fast-action rod. You will see that it excels in long-distance and medium-range casting. The overall balance of this rod makes fly fishing a pleasurable experience, and we think that has to do with the design.
Who We Recommend it for:
We recommend this choice if you would like to try a different rod with a unique design. The Center Axis offers versatility in that you could take it into a variety of fishing environments and do well with it. Traditionalists may not fully appreciate everything that the Center Axis has to offer.
The seat of the reel on the Waterworks-Lamson may look like a new innovation, but we saw this before with the Sage Center Axis 2-weight in the 1990s. It bore mixed results. Lamson was a part of Sage at the time before selling the company to Waterworks, and they helped to create the design in partnership with them. That could explain why we see it now under the new label.
G. Loomis Edge Fly Rod
| Estimated Price | $800 |
| Material | Graphite |
| Rod Length | 9 feet |
| Fly Rod Action | Fast action |
| Water Orientation | Saltwater |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
Another fly fishing brand that produces its equipment in Woodland, Washington, Edge Fly Rod, shares the same founder as G. Loomis. Gary Loomis sold G. Loomis in 1997 to Shimano for an undisclosed amount of money after doctors diagnosed him with prostate cancer in 1995. He sold G. Loomis along with a few other businesses that he held at the time. Few people understand fishing rods as well as Gary.
He began working for Lamiglas in 1973 and parted ways in 1978. For a while, Loomis worked for a rod manufacturing company in Taiwan, but it didn’t work out. Ever since he has championed the values of the American-made fishing rod.
Loomis continues to bear his name, but in 2009, Gary started another fishing rod company called North Fork Composites or Edge Rods. Gary says that the fishing business for him was never about making the most money. Instead, he wanted to challenge himself to construct as good of a product as possible while treating his employees well.
This information shows us why you would want to support a company like Loomis. During his lifetime, Loomis said that most of the people he hired lived in Woodland, Washington.
What We Like About This Rod:
You can cast out with some serious distance using the Edge Fly Rod. This rod bears many resemblances to the past masterpieces of Loomis, and it retains an old-school, minimalist style that many fishermen love. No shiny coat on this rod, but Loomis says he designed it like that for a specific reason—it lowers the weight of the rod by 20 percent.
The cork handle design looks attractive and provides you with a stronger grip as you crank in the fish. Not only does it strengthen your grip, but cork dries faster than other materials making it ideal in the fishing setting. Your sweat won’t remain on the handle either and make it slippery once you put a fish on your line.
Who We Recommend it for:
As a fast-action rod, we particularly like the Edge Fly Rod because of its tight loops and awesome distance. The tip was designed with a level of softness to allow for close work. We would recommend this rod for fishermen who want a fast-action rod with accuracy.
You might use this rod for trout, carp, bonefish, and bluegill. For anyone searching for a rod company with a proven track record, Gary Loomis is a legend in the fly fishing industry. He and his team have produced some of the finest fishing rods in the industry. As far as fly rods made in the USA go, it’s not cheap, but we do feel that it’s worth the money.
Orvis Recon Fly Rod
| Estimated Price | $500 |
| Material | Nylon |
| Rod Length | 7 feet 6 inches to 9 feet |
| Fly Rod Action | Medium Fast action |
| Water Orientation | Freshwater |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
Orvis builds all of its rods in the United States with the exception of its Streamline, Encounter, and Clearwater rods. In fact, we would exercise caution with all of the rods that look suspiciously cheap. Most of its rods remain made here, however, and the brand backs the quality of its products with an unconditional 25-year guarantee.
Founded in 1856, Orvis holds over 166 years of American tradition. Orvis manufactures most of its rods at its factory in Manchester, Vermont, located at 4180 Main Street. You can sign up for a guided tour of the factory Monday through Friday starting at 10 am. The Perkins family has privately owned Orvis since 1965.
What We Like About This Rod:
Important to understand how this isn’t the original Recon from 2015, but they created a second version after the first one became wildly popular. You wouldn’t want this rod if you prefer the truly fast action rods because of how this rod ranks as a fast action on the lower end. The accuracy and performance do well at around 50 feet, but anything over that and the accuracy starts to drop. Still, you can perform casts at up to 65 feet.
The fast recovery speed on this rod lets you pick up the fly fast and reel it in off the water with excellent levels of control. Casting in at short range, you won’t struggle as much with it since this rod lists as a medium-fast action rod. It had incredible accuracy.
Who We Recommend it for:
You would find good use of this rod in cases where you plan to fish for trout. This rod offers more versatility as a trout rod than the Sage LL Trout, where it applies to highly specific trout fishing scenarios. The Recon Fly Rod covers a broader variety of applications for trout fishing. It shines in the setting as a medium-range streamer rod. You wouldn’t buy this for its long-range capabilities, however. Overall, we really like the Orvis company, and if you’re looking for USA-made fly rods, they’re one of our top recommendations.
R.L. Winston Saltwater AIR
| Estimated Price | $1000 rod price / $500 blank price |
| Material | Boron III material |
| Rod Length | 9 feet |
| Fly Rod Action | Fast action |
| Water Orientation | Saltwater |
Product Origin and Manufacturer
Handcrafted in Twin Bridges, Montana, R.L. Winston Rod Co. opened shop in 1929, and they are known for their boron and graphite composite rods. Most diehard anglers covet the R.L. Winston rods as some of the best in the business.
Like Orvis, R.L. Winston began outsourcing some of its less expensive rods to China back in 2004. They do continue to operate their factory in Twin Bridges, however.
Winston produces some of the finest fast-action trout rods that money can buy. They have repeatedly set the standard for fly fishing. You can cast short or long even with fast action, and the loop control is exceptional. Boasting over 90 years of industry knowledge, R.L. Winston has a heritage in America nearly as long as Orvis.
What We Like About This Rod:
Having a fast recovery, the Winston Saltwater AIR feels light and balanced when gripped. Anglers choose Winston rods because of their superior casting abilities, and the Winston Saltwater AIR doesn’t disappoint. You can manage better in windy conditions and dictate the line control better thanks to the Boron III technology.
Tarpon and bonefish lines from Rio Saltwater Fly Line do an especially good job at illuminating the best qualities of the rod. If you choose this rod, you may not want a heavier line since the Winston Saltwater AIR wasn’t made for that purpose, and it won’t handle the heavy line well.
Who We Recommend it for:
The ease of casting from this rod makes it the perfect choice for individuals who suffer from shoulder problems. The injury is known as impingement syndrome—a common injury for fly fishermen—and the more you cast, the more pain you feel. Winston has such an agreeable casting system that we would recommend it to anyone who suffers from it.
Another situation where we would recommend the Winston Saltwater AIR is in cases where you prefer a slower casting tempo. Like many of the Winston fishing rods, they respond best to slow casting tempos.
Wetfly USA Hydrocarbon Spey Rod
| Estimated Price | $300 |
| Material | High modulus helical core graphite |
| Rod Length | 13 feet |
| Fly Rod Action | Fast action |
| Water Orientation | Freshwater |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
Starting in 1999, Wetfly has aspired to become a respected brand in the fly fishing industry. They set a goal to provide high-quality products while keeping affordable costs. Unlike some of the other well-known and established American-made brands, we respect Wetfly because they recently chose to begin offering their first couple of American-made products. If you wanted fly fishing rods made in the USA from them, you would choose either the USA Hydrocarbon Spey Rod or the NitroAntigua Fly Rod.
You can buy an American-made net from them as well. Wetfly partnered with two Oregon manufacturers to build its products.
What We Like About This Rod:
To build the USA Hydrocarbon Spey, Wetfly worked with its partner Jefferson Rod Co. We like this brand because of the low cost in comparison to the other choices on this list. It offers you a low-budget option to still support your country.
Wetfly operates a smaller operation than its competitors, but they have a reputation for fun, easy and affordable rods. Everyone from the experienced angler to the first-time fisherman will see the value of this product. This classic two-handed rod uses top-notch materials and includes a lifetime warranty to back the quality.
Another thing that we like about Wetfly comes from the fact that you can sense their passion for fishing in the way that they operate their business.
Who We Recommend it for:
We recommend this choice for someone who will fish for salmon and steelhead. The rod works well for Spey casting, which refers to a longer cast without casting over the back. As we mentioned, this is a two-handed rod because Spey casting usually requires a longer two-handed rod. Looking at the appearance of the rod, we would call this another one of the more attractive rods on the list.
Being this is a smaller rod company with a smaller following, we would recommend this choice more to someone who already has multiple rods in their collection and wants to try a new brand.
We wouldn’t recommend this choice to someone starting out as much because it’s a riskier choice than some of the other more proven ones. However, it also costs less than most of the other choices making it an attractive option for someone on a budget, and it supports a smaller brand.
Thomas & Thomas Avantt Series
| Estimated Price | $850 to $875 |
| Material | Resin |
| Rod Length | 8 feet 6 inches to 10 feet 6 inches |
| Fly Rod Action | Fast action |
| Water Orientation | Freshwater |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
Since 1969, Thomas & Thomas has made its saltwater and freshwater rods in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Thomas Dorsey, the founder, and an avid angler since childhood, continues to play an essential role at the company.
Thomas & Thomas has a fascinating fact about it that we especially find worth mentioning—it was the fishing rod of British royalty like Princess Diana and Prince Charles. On the Thomas & Thomas website, you can see a picture of President Ronald Reagan presenting a Thomas & Thomas fishing rod to the former Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Fraser.
The brand has done two presidential commissions since its founding which speak about the quality of the rods.
In case you want to know about the origin of the name, it started with Thomas Dorsey and his business partner Thomas Maxwell. Even back in the day, during a time when much of the industry mass produced fiberglass rods, Thomas & Thomas stayed the course with American craftsmanship.
What We Like About This Rod:
Few brands hold as prestigious of a reputation as the Thomas & Thomas label. They remain one of the only companies that understand how to keep the feel and control within a fast-action fly rod. Everything about this gorgeous rod, from the craftsmanship and balance to the accuracy and casting, has set this rod in one of the coveted spots for fishing rods.
This rod can cast a dry fly up to 110 feet and present it well to nearby trout without spooking them. Granted, it performs its best in the 40 to 45-foot range, but we consider this a feat.
The attention to detail in the Avantt sets it apart from its competitors, and this rod remains true to what the traditionalist fly fishermen would love in a rod. This rod is a little too fast to give you perfect accuracy, but it performs well in accuracy at long distances due to the fast action. We also wouldn’t think of this as a good rod for short-distance casting. Perfect smoothness and accuracy grow into a bigger problem at that shorter range.
Who We Recommend it for:
We would recommend the Avantt for fishermen going after trout at the 45-foot range since this rod would work perfectly in those conditions. This rod performs awesomely for streamers, dry flies, and nymphing. You may want to buy it if you like fishing those things. The lighter weight of the rod brings it to life in your hands.
If you live in a windy state like North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, or Kansas, the Avantt keeps its casting accuracy even in windier conditions. For those who plan to make long casts all day long, you will want a lighter line.
Semper Fly Rods 2021 ARES
| Estimated Price | $200 |
| Material | Resin |
| Rod Length | 10 feet |
| Fly Rod Action | Moderate fast action |
| Water Orientation | Freshwater |
Product Origin and Manufacturer Information:
A disabled veteran-owned and operated business, Semper Fly Rods specializes in building fly fishing rods. At the same time, the business offers a service where they repair and restore fishing rods. Your business with the brand will support American manufacturing, but the company says that 10 percent of all proceeds go to the Semper Fi Fund to provide immediate financial assistance to veterans wounded in combat in all branches of the US military.
They operate out of Wadsworth, Ohio, and all of their rods were assembled in the USA. Their rods were designed so that they deliver the feel and performance of fly fishing, and they perform with some great accuracy.
What We Like About This Rod:
Like Wetfly, Semper Fly Rods is another small fishing rod business, but the money supports a wounded veteran’s company, which was what made us want to mention them. Anyone who has doubt about their rods should consider how each of their fly fishing rods comes backed with a lifetime warranty.
Let’s say that they no longer carry a model because they discontinued it. They will replace your rod with one of equal or greater value.
This is a custom rod maker, and they use TFO blanks. TFO blanks are high-quality materials used to make a rod. While TFO blanks are made in Incheon, South Korea, Semper Fly Rods says that they assemble and handcraft their rods in Canal Winchester, Ohio. Gary Loomis serves as an advisor of TFO blanks, and he approves of them even though he has his own line of blanks called the Gary Loomis blanks.
St. Croix and Falcon are two other examples of great American-made fishing rod brands, but they use TFO blanks. We highlight this information to let you fully understand everything that you would receive with them. It’s a lower-cost rod in comparison to the others because it uses these blanks.
Who We Recommend it for:
The 2021 ARES serves as a special rod when used in small streams and rivers. We see it shine in this environment. This isn’t a pure fast-action rod, which gives you better accuracy on the casting. Someone in the market for a rod with accurate casting may like that about it. Another thing worth mentioning comes from it including a rod sock, which was designed to protect the full length of your fishing rod.
Conclusion:
That does it for this article. If you know of any great reels that we should add to our list, let us know in the comments below. We are continuously looking for great new products to show our readers. Hopefully, we highlighted some great American-made fishing rod brands that you want to look more closely at. After you buy a fishing rod, you may need a reel depending on the type of rod that you bought.
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Choosing products made in America is important to me because it supports local economies, creates jobs, helps the environment, and ensures ethical labor practices. I also find that American made products are usually of higher quality so although they’re a little more expensive, you save money in the long run. Before starting this website I was in the USMC infantry and nowadays I work on this website as a hobby.
I’ve been looking for a new fly rod to take up to my camp. I found the perfect rod and this was helpful.
Hey Malike I’m glad you find a good rod for your needs. Let me know if you have any questions at all and thank you for your comment!
Thanks Kevin,
Your article did a great job of explaining the relationships and history.
Thank you!
What do you know of Moonshine fly fishing?
Hey Chris, thanks for letting me know that you found the article useful. To be honest I don’t know a ton about Moonshine fly fishing but I will look into the company!
St croix is getting back in fly rods soon . Got new man at point to develop new rods. Wish Douglas was made USA.
You left out the best. Scott tops them all. Their quality control is superior to the rods you have listed. Having said that, only a good fly caster can use a Scott. It is unforgiving to rookies. But Scott rods do require the least amount of energy to cast. For saltwater, the Scott Sector beats them all. For freshwater, the Radian is my favorite, (no longer in production but still the best in my opinion).
Sage is okay. I have a 5wt X rod and two X spey rods. They are hard to beat.
Winston? Lack of quality control. All the thread work is done by people in town at their homes. So the rods are all different.
You did mention T & T. High quality, but lacking in good action.
You also did not mention Burkeheimer. Their quality is the best but the action is real slow like a Winston rod. I don’t care for them, but they are among the best.