Under $400

[heyblue34]

Any recommendations for a 5wt rod for all around trout fishing for under $400? I will be using streamers, nymphs, etc. Thanks!

[JEFFSOD]

 

This one falls a tier or two below your price point but I have heard the Redington Classic trout are a good choice in that price point.

[Ftyer]

I have a Classic Trout in a 3weight and truly enjoy it. TFOs BVK is my 4 weight and it’s a great rod as well—this in a 5 might be nice and it should be under your budget. 

[Linesidesonthefly]

1 hour ago, JEFFSOD said:

 

This one falls a tier or two below your price point but I have heard the Redington Classic trout are a good choice in that price point.

^ Knows his stuff. I agree completely. They fish well above their price point. 

[JohnP]

3 hours ago, heyblue34 said:

Any recommendations for a 5wt rod for all around trout fishing for under $400? I will be using streamers, nymphs, etc. Thanks!

nevermind 400, under 200

 

orvis Clearwater 
 

I can’t find anything to match it sub 500

[Sandeel95]

How about a vintage Orvis Far and Fine. 

7' 9" 5 wt

One of  the best trout rods Orvis ever made. (In my opinion.) 

 

If you are in no hurry, advertise for one.

For $400.00 you should be able to get a Far and Fine and a Hardy LRH reel.

You would want to get a vintage Hardy LRH, Not the new model.

Put a Lee Wulff  WF5F line on it.

This is a setup you should be extremely happy with.

I lived in Vermont for over 30 years.  This was my go to rod.  I had 3 or 4 over the years.

Just my 2 cents.

Best of luck

[pokie]

My philosphy is never to pay full price for rods and reels. I do occasionally and some times even more (collector stuff), but normally, I find the model I want and then I hunt on the auction site. I'm looking for 50% off for new or like new rods. In the case I do not like it, I can resell and break even. I do not live close to any fly shops so testing out rods before purchasing does not work for me. Closeout models are also a really good deal  (ex. Scott Radian). I can't comment on the Redington Classic lineup. The only Redingtons I own are NTIs. 

[Del Gue]

You can get a Redington Trout 5 wt in 8'6" or 9' for $150.

An Orvis Clearwater 5 wt 8'6" or 9' will run you $198.00  Comes with a 25 year guarantee and is made in the U.S.A.

An Orvis Superfine Glass 5 wt 8' will run you $429. (This is a fiberglass rod, not a graphite rod.)

An Echo Trout will run $350. 

 

Having said all of this, do not lose sight of the fact that we are about 30 days away from Black Friday, and most everybody puts pretty good sales on for that. I would try to spend the time between now and then looking at and handling rods, if possible, and then try to catch whatever you decide on when the Black Friday sale hits. 

Edited October 22, 2020 by Del Gue

[Mariner]

I have to agree with pokie.    There is plenty of good availability out there for used rods.  It helps to know what the flex characteristics you want and then find a rod that can match that.   If you're going to be mostly nymphing and tossing streamers, a faster rod is likely more desirable - it's doable but harder than it should be to do those things with a rod better suited for dry flies, as is the reverse.  For years I've been reading the "Shoot Out" reviews from George Anderson's fly shop, and found them to be accurate in their detailed evaluations of the rods.

[Stonefish]

The Redington Classic Trout series is one of the best values in fly fishing.

With that said, it wouldn’t be my first choice in a 5 wt if I was going to be fishing streamers a lot.

SF

Edited October 22, 2020 by Stonefish

[heyblue34]

3 mins ago, Stonefish said:

The Redington Classic Trout series is one of the best values in fly fishing.

With that said, it wouldn’t be my first choice in a 5 wt if I was going to be fishing streamers a lot.

SF

What would you recommend for an “all purpose “ rod?

[Stonefish]

9 mins ago, heyblue34 said:

What would you recommend for an “all purpose “ rod?

It just a personal preference of liking a faster action rod for throwing streamers.

Nothing against the Classic Trout series which I’ve owned.

We’ve never had it so good when it comes to choices that don’t break the bank.

TFO BVK and Redington Vice come to mind off the top of my head.

I’d also look at what Echo has to offer.

As someone else mentioned, there is a ton of good used stuff out their as well.

If you could find a used Redington 9’ 5 wt CPS, that would be an excellent choice in my opinion.
If you aren’t in a rush and are willing to search around, you can find just about any discontinued rod you’d be interested in.

I recently picked up a new Sage X for half of retail.

The big thing is what works for me may not work for you.

If you can cast some rods before buying, that might help you in your decision.

Good luck in your search.

SF

 

[Linesidesonthefly]

As for all purpose all around 5wt. My vote would be for one of the following two options. 
Sage RPL or Sage XP. Both can be had used under your budget. 

[Garshark572]

Get a bvk if you are buying new. And if used there are lots of very good options

[Killiefish]

If you can wait for it, Fenwick will be coming out with their new version of the Aetos.  Older model was/is a best buy for under $200 and some might still be around.  Newer model is probably going to be even better.  I also agree that a Redington CPS 9ft 5wt (or 4wt), or Sage XP 4wt or 5wt are great rods if can find used for under $200 (CPS) or ~ $300 (XP).  An older Sage RPL is going to be nearly impossible to find in nice enough condition but heck yeah.  For closer to $400, look at the first (original) version of the Orvis Recon, now discontinued but maybe there are some remaindered in some backwater fly shop.