Used Fly Rods

Fly rods are defined by two numbers: length and line weight. A 9ft rod rated #5 or #6 is the all-round starting point for stillwater trout, while shorter 7ft to 8ft rods in #3 or #4 suit small streams where presentation matters more than distance. Longer 10ft rods give you more line control on rivers, where drag is the enemy.

The line weight tells you which fly line the rod is designed to cast, and it is the single most important figure on the rod — usually printed just above the handle. Buying second-hand is entirely normal in fly fishing; many rods are used a handful of times a season, and a well-cared-for blank will cast exactly as it did when it was new. Check the ferrules for a tight fit, look along the blank for any set or curve, and inspect the whipping around the tip ring.

Every rod on this page is a current listing from a UK eBay seller, with the line weight and length recorded where the listing provides them.