We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Products or services advertised on this page may be offered by an entity that is affiliated with us. Learn more about our process here.
If you ask any angler, they’ll tell you that steelhead fishing is one of the most thrilling fishing experiences. However, steelhead fishing can be as frustrating as it is rewarding!
But, with the right gear, like a fly rod, a spey rod, or a particular steelhead rod of the right weight, you’ll feel as ready as can be.
Before you start your day angling, remember that steelheads are relentless and can easily cause fatigue, which is yet another reason to find the best steelhead fly rod. Keep on reading as we reveal the best of the best steelhead rods for your budget and angling needs.
I love to test new fishing gadgets and share my opinion.
Our Favorite Picks
Best Steelhead Fly Rod Overall
St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament
- Amazing line control
- Lightweight
- Good grip control
- Minimizes transition
Best Lightweight Steelhead Fly Rod
Redington Fly Fishing Field Kit
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Quality-made
- Beginner-friendly
Best Steelhead Rod for Travel
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
- Easy to use
- For all skill levels
- Positive track record
- Lightweight
Table of Contents
- Quicklist of Steelhead Fly Rods
- Best Steelhead Fly Rods
- St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament
- Redington Fly Fishing Field Kit for Steelhead
- Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
- St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rods
- Fenwick AETOS Fly Fishing Rod
- G. Loomis GLX 782C MBR
- What Is Steelhead Fishing?
- Steelhead Fly Rod Selection Criteria
Quicklist of Steelhead Fly Rods
- St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament – Best Overall Steelhead Fly Rod
- Redington Fly Fishing Field Kit – Best Lightweight Steelhead Fly Rod
- Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit – Best for Travel Steelhead Rod
- St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rods – Best for Mid-Range Steelhead Fly Rod
- Fenwick AETOS Fly Fishing Rod – Best Budget Fly Steelhead Rod
- G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod – Best for Larger Fish Steelhead Rod
Best Steelhead Fly Rods
#1
Best Steelhead Fly Rod Overall
St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament
WHY WE LIKE IT: The St.Croix is the overall best in steelhead fly rods you can take with you on your Great Lakes steelhead fishing trip. The fact that it’s US-made is just a bonus! This is a great two-handed rod with awesome line control. If you prefer spinning over casting, check out our article on the best spinning rods.
- Material: Blend
- Action: Moderate/Fast
- Fishing technique: Casting
- Length: 7’9″
Pros
- Amazing line control
- Lightweight
- Good grip control
- Minimizes transition
Cons
- High price point
- Not for single-hand casting
- Not the best to use with soft plastic seedless lures
BUYING ADVICE: We particularly like the St.Croix for its sensitivity and the ability to navigate it by both hands for a firmer cast. The 7’9” length made it the ideal fly rod for steelhead fishing – it made chasing steelhead a walk in the park!
FEATURES: We chose the Legend Tournament by St.Croix as the best overall steelhead rods for a few reasons. First, these rods are designed using cutting-edge technologies that go hand-in-hand with globally-known U.S. craftsmanship.
One of the signature traits of the Legend Tournament is the use of super high modulus carbon fiber SCIV+ blanks, which is a great tooling to remove transition points and enjoy smoother actions. Plus, the customized full and split grip cork handles ensure a firm cast.
#2
Steelhead Fly Rod Kit
Redington Fly Fishing Field Kit for Steelhead
WHY WE LIKE IT: For a rod that comes in a kit, this one’s the real deal! You get a fly reel, a fly rod, a carrying case, and a fly line. It’s perfect for novice anglers since seasoned anglers might find it more lightweight.
- Material: Graphite
- Action: Moderate/Fast
- Fishing technique: Fly
- Length: 9-11.5ft
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Quality-made
- Beginner-friendly
Cons
- Some might find it too light
- Not for experienced anglers
- A bit stiff
BUYING ADVICE: If you’re just beginning to explore fishing, the Redington Fly Fishing Kit is the best fly rod for trout and many other fish types. We love that it comes in a kit, which made carrying around this great steelhead rod a breeze.
FEATURES: The super lightweight design makes the Redington easy to handle and cast without much strain. The graphite composition makes it very durable, making this the best fly rod for beginners looking for an unyielding weapon.
#3
Best Steelhead Rod for the Money
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
WHY WE LIKE IT: With the Orvis, you can catch panfish, smallmouth, and largemouth bass during any season. Use it for streamer fishing, nymphing, dry flies, or bass bugs — it never disappoints!
- Material: Aluminum
- Action: Moderate/Fast
- Fishing technique: Fly fishing
- Length: 9′
Pros
- Easy to use
- For all skill levels
- Positive track record
- Lightweight
Cons
- The line can lose memory
- Not the best for lefties
- Not very sensitive
BUYING ADVICE: We tried the Orvis Clearwater and now deem it a fine choice for an entry-level fly rod and reel combo. We’ve used this great fly rod to catch steelhead, trout, and rainbow trout in medium-sized rivers with great success.
FEATURES: The design makes the Orvis great for easy-casting streamers, and the aluminum construction adds to its light weight and portability. It’s an affordable choice that’ll give you the most bang for your buck.
#4
Heavier Steelhead Rod
St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rods
WHY WE LIKE IT: Besides the fact that it’s made in the U.S., this rod is perfect for heavier jigs and topwater lures to reel in a nice-sized steelhead. In addition, it works great for suspending twitch baits and catching some big fish.
- Material: Blend
- Action: Moderate/Fast
- Fishing technique: Spinning
- Length: 6’6”- 8′
Pros
- Durable
- Nice design and construction material
- Zero-tangle guides
- Ideal steelhead fly rod size
Cons
- Can snap under pressure
- Beginners might struggle using the rod
- Doesn't fit perfectly in the case
BUYING ADVICE: The St. Croix Avid is a well-balanced rod that performed well in saltwater in combo with our natural bait. We particularly liked its design that sits well in your palm, which made it one of the best spinning rods for trout in our collection.
FEATURES: St. Croix Avid is a superb choice of power and feel. The rod’s design incorporates quality blanks and a softer tip. You can use it to launch a small rig to jig in the flats. Plus, if you prefer using live bait, this rod is your top choice.
#5
Versatile
Fenwick AETOS Fly Fishing Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: You’ll probably find a lot of experienced anglers rockin’ a Fenwick rod, and for a good reason! Fenwick is long known as a reliable and versatile fishing brand, meaning you can find decent rods for targeting steelhead.
- Material: Aluminum/cork composite
- Action: Fast
- Fishing technique: Fly fishing
- Length: 9′-11’1”
Pros
- Excellent size
- Lightweight
- For all skill levels
- Great value for money
Cons
- Not the best option for casting
- Finding the right length might be tricky
- A bit stiff
BUYING ADVICE: We tested the Fenwick AETOS and are happy to report that it is one of the best rods for fly fishing and chasing steelhead. We liked the gunmetal aluminum reel seat, and the aesthetically pleasing carbon barrel added to the overall luxurious feel of the rod.
FEATURES: The AETOS model boasts a slim strip of composite cork for a visual boost and implements Nano Composite Technology for damage control. It provides fast action and a fine black satin finish.
#6
Premium Steelhead Rod
G. Loomis GLX 782C MBR
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is a longer rod that works well for numerous baits and fishing techniques. Granted, rookies might start off with another rod, but intermediate anglers and pros will really enjoy the G. Loomis. It’s perfect for chasing steelhead in open waters and fishing around docks and weedy and rocky waters.
- Material: Graphite
- Action: Fast
- Fishing Technique: Casting
- Length: 6.5ft
Pros
- Quality build
- Durable
- Great in many bodies of water
- Good balance
Cons
- Might feel a bit heavy
- Not for beginners
- A bit pricier
BUYING ADVICE: You should get the G. Loomis if you’re after catching large gamefish. We enjoyed the medium-heavy butt that pairs nicely with the light tip, making loading easy. And while the length could be increased to keep up with steelhead’s speed easily, it did a fine job catching us some bass.
FEATURES: The G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod is a 6.5ft, fast-action rod perfect for bass and steelhead fishing. It has split grips, and the handle is made of cork for heat control.
- St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament – Best Overall Steelhead Rod
- Redington Fly Fishing Field Kit – Best Lightweight Steelhead Rod
- Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit – Best for Travel Steelhead Rod
- St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rods – Best for Mid-Range Steelhead Rod
- Fenwick AETOS Fly Fishing Rod – Best Budget Fly Steelhead Rod
- G. Loomis GLX Casting Rod – Best for Larger Fish Steelhead Rod
What Is Steelhead Fishing?
Steelhead fishing refers to targeting a specific breed of trout called steelhead. Seasoned anglers that appreciate a good fight are particularly keen on steelhead fishing because these runners will have you sweating for a catch!
In fact, steelheads are known as the fish of a thousand casts because they are anything but easy to catch; hence, the need for a good fly rod for steelhead.
Steelheads can be found at the Great Lakes. With steelhead, you get two runs: a summer steelhead run and a winter steelhead run.
Steelhead Fly Rod Selection Criteria
Finding the right steelhead fly rod can be a bit of a task if you don’t know which features to look for. In general, the perfect steelhead fly rod is a 9-10-foot, 7-8-weight rod. However, there are also different types of rods to consider:
Types Of Fly Rods For Steelhead
Let’s see how various fly rod types compare when it comes to fishing steelhead:
Spey Rods
In essence, spey rods make casting easy, so anglers won’t need practically any backcasting space. Plus, spey rods are perfect for covering more water at once.
Pros
- Easier casting
- Not much backcasting room needed
- Easy to cover much water
Cons
- Might not be the best choice for rookies
- Not for nymphing
What Weight Spey Rod Is Best For Steelhead?
A 7-weight or 8-weight fly rod is the best choice for catching feisty steelhead.
What Length Spey Rod Is Best For Steelhead?
You won’t go wrong if you choose a 9-foot steelhead fly rod, but a 10-foot rod is also a good idea.
Single-Handed Rods
A single-hand rod can be a spey rod or a fly rod that can be used by anglers of all skill levels. Some single-handed rods are designed for smaller steelhead rivers, making underhand casting easy and effortless. However, there are more powerful single-handed rods that are awesome angling tools for overhead casts and reeling in big fish.
Pros
- Perfect for line management
- Good casting and presentation
- Better accuracy
Cons
- Not the best choice for beginners
- Not the best for big catches
What Weight Single-Handed Rod Is Best For Steelhead?
A 7-8-weight rod is the best choice for a steelhead fly rod.
What Length Single-Handed Rod Is Best For Steelhead?
An 8-weight rod with 10 feet in length is the ultimate weight-to-length ratio for a single-hand rod.
Switch Rods
Switch rods can be short or compact spey rods. Some can be lightweight, others may be bulkier. A switch rod measuring from 6-8 in weight is considered perfect for steelhead to swing flies and spey cast.
Pros
- More lightweight than traditional fly rods
- Some-to-no fatigue
- Needs less casting room
Cons
- Some are expensive
- Not recommended for rookies
What Weight Switch Rod Is Best For Steelhead?
A 6-weight rod or an eight-weight rod is considered the perfect switch rod to target steelhead.
What Length Switch Rod Is Best For Steelhead?
An 11′ rod will work its magic in almost any circumstance when it comes to the best steelhead fly rod.
Winter vs Summer Steelhead
Steelhead making their way back to rivers on the east of the Cascade Mountains are dubbed summer-run fish. Summer steelhead tend to be somewhat smaller than winter steelhead. Winter steelhead migrate toward freshwater surfaces and are much bigger than summer steelhead.
Type of Water and Angling Style
The style of angling and type of water you target steelhead in influences your decision regarding what rod you’ll choose:
Swinging streamers
Swinging a fly is all about casting while allowing the fly to go with the flow. This particular angling style is mostly used for salmon and steelhead fishing.
Nymphing
When you use artificial flies that mimic aquatic insects, you are practically nymphing. You can always go for this technique to trigger steelhead, which will be convinced they’ve spotted real food!
Larger rivers
If you fish in larger rivers, bear in mind the potency of the mainline. A 10lb and 12lb mainline are perfect. Also, you’ll want to take a longer rod with you to cover more ground.
Streams
Streams usually flow fast, but some can be as easy as a Sunday morning! A fly rod with fast action is perfect for targeting steelhead in streams.
Types of Line
What type of line you choose will affect the outcome of your angling. There are fishing lines that sink, float, or sink-tip:
Floating
Floating lines are perfect for fishing on the surface. Fly fishing is usually done with floating lines, i.e., a fly line is a floating line (most of the time).
Sinking
Sinking lines are your go-to choice for in-depth fishing when you want to catch trout or steelhead from the depth of the water.
Sink tip
A sink-tip line will usually hover nicely in the zone of feeding before its re-cast. It’s best you use a sink-tip line in medium to fast rivers and streams.
Budget
For a lot of newbie anglers, the budget will make or break the fishing enjoyment, albeit seasoned anglers appreciate a good buy regardless of the cost. It’s best you set your budget anywhere from $30 to $550.
F. A. Q.
Steelhead are feisty fish that won’t go down without a fight. Steelhead fly rods are that long to withstand the tossing and turning of steelheads. The best steelhead fly rods have enough elasticity to play along with the fish.
As a rule of thumb, steelhead feeds most aggressively in October and November.
It certainly is. Their tendency to be rather speedy and aggressive makes for a decent fight.