Best 3 Weight Fly Rods (Tested & Compared)

Our list of the top 5 3wt fly rods available this year.
Here's our list of the absolute best 3 weight fly rods on the market in 2022. This list has 5 of our favorite rods as well as some tips on when to use a 3 wt and what to look out for when shopping for 3wt fly rods.
1. Temple Fork Outfitters BVK
Price: $249.95 ($124.95 for extension piece)
The Temple Fork Outfitters BVK (named after one of our sport’s greatest contributors Bernard Victor Kreh) has been around for a while now. Better known for its impressive 8 weight, this range has an incredible 3 weight offering.
VIEW ON AMAZON: amzn.to/3b0zNL2
2. Echo Shadow II 3 wt fly rod2. Echo Shadow II
Price: $289
The Echo Shadow II is packed with clever features that make it very capable at what it is designed to do. In my opinion, this is the best 3 weight fly rod 2022 has to offer.
VIEW ON AMAZON: amzn.to/34mF7pD
3. Thomas and Thomas Zone Best 3 wt Fly Rod3. Thomas and Thomas Zone
Price: $499
Here’s a very interesting offering from one of America’s greatest rod builders - Thomas and Thomas. Their Zone series is very popular for being a good value for money saltwater fly rod.
VIEW ON AMAZON: amzn.to/2Rogzae
4. Epic 370 FastGlass Best 3 weight fly rod4. Epic 370 FastGlass
Price: $825 (build your own option $399)
If you’re talking medium-slow action rods, one of the best materials around remains fiberglass. I’m not talking about the heavy, boneless glass of 50 years ago with a recovery rate measured in minutes.
If you are fishing small rivers or target fish that are on the smaller side, a 3 weight is an essential weapon in your arsenal. It offers better tippet protection and has the ability to present flies more delicately.
5. Sage ESN amazing 3 wt fly rod5. Sage ESN
Price: $900
By far the best high-end nymphing rod on the market. The Sage ESN (European Style Nymphing) is built around the company’s latest Konnetic HD technology. This results in an incredibly lightweight rod that will reduce overall fatigue due to high sticking techniques.
As with all Sage’s rods in this price range, the finishes are top-notch.
From the handle’s cork quality, the components used to the clear coat on the guide wraps.
0:00 Introduction
0:05 THE BEST 3-WEIGHT FLY RODS THIS YEAR
1:38 TEMPLE FORK OUTFITTERS BVK
2:47 ECHO SHADOW II
3:50 THOMAS & THOMAS ZONE
4:53 EPIC FAST GLASS
5:51 #5 SAGE ESN

[@g2bold174]

I like rods in the $150-200 range. Way less mental trauma when I snap it in half and I probably catch just as many fish as the guy with the $900 Sage.

[@intoflyfishing]

Yep. I always say I wanna buy a Helios 3 but at $900 when it’s time to pay it hurts. The Vespers and GXS are great rods at half the hurt 👍👍

[@raywhitehead730]

October, 2023. Just got a 3wt MOONLIT lunar S fly rod. For $156.00 USD. It is well finished looks good. I prefer glass over carbon fiber for smaller trout (under 5 pounds) I fish smaller streams mostly. The rod is only 6 foot 8 inches, but more then enough for smaller waters. Most casts are under 20 feet. It is sensitive and easy on these trout. It is light weight, at 3.2 ounces. It is a 4 piece rod. Action is medium slow, which I prefer. I am very happy with it. You should target your rod purchase toward the type of waters and size fish you will fish for, and price. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good rod.

[@LizardKing513]

I have this same exact rod, and it’s fantastic!

[@speckledone8899]

I'm getting on Larry Kenney's build list for his 733 and 813, a pair of 3 weights for my retirement. I have 2 of his other rods - a 4 wt and a 5 wt; best rods I've ever fished. Superior to the Scotts, Sage's, Winston's, Orvis's and other premium rods I've owned over the years. I can't wait for the 3 wts to arrive. I expect to sell my McFarland 3 wt.

[@markcox2870]

I have the Epic 3wt. It is a work of art. I got mine for $395 on sale. Puts Winston to shame .....

[@cmclee153]

This is a very intelligent review. You have identified the best rods and the best-for-value rods. Although I have a large rod arsenal, including multiple 3-weights, I learned a lot. Thank you!

[@timothydalton8023]

Very interesting presentation. I fish 3 wt rods quite a bit and I’m always excited to see what’s new out there. Seemed like a very objective survey. Thank you

[@LizardKing513]

I have a fiberglass 3wt Moonlit Lunar S, 6’8”. Perfect for small rivers, creeks, and ponds. A very goodlooking, well-functioning rod and it won’t break the bank.

[@LP-gs3xj]

3wt and small streams- fly fishing heaven

[@intoflyfishing]

Agreed. And euro nymphing a small stream spotting trout in clear water.

[@chucksgmgarage1116]

I have a 7'6" TFO 3wt signature series and its amazing I use it from small panfish to largemouth bass up to 14" for sure a go to rod.

[@intoflyfishing]

TFO Makes some great rods for sure.

[@susanbrettdavis8839]

Love learning from this channel❤

[@intoflyfishing]

Thanks!

[@marklewis9594]

Have a moon lit, a reddington clasic trout, a reddington butter stick and a orvis superfine glass. Love em all.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

My first fly rod was a mystery combo, no idea what weight, or action, but it got me into fly fishing enough to get a redington crosswater! And I love it!

[@jamesnichols8893]

Why did you show a clip of a spey rod it certainly was not a 3 wt

[@brett9382]

I have a 7'6" 3wt orvis Clearwater. It's perfect for small creeks with lots of cover and I've even caught some decent sized fish on it. I couldn't recommend it enough.

[@intoflyfishing]

For sure. We love the Clearwater series and it's made lots of our lists. Awesome rods

[@MrBluoct]

Thanks - what reel and other set up do you use ?

[@brett9382]

@@MrBluoct I use just got the Clearwater combo that comes with reel, rod, and fly line. Pretty good price for what you get. I like this setup so much that for my other setups I switched to the same combos in 9ft 5 weights.

[@davidgray3321]

Some lovely streams shown in this video , would love a to fish in the USA. You also have a good tackle industry. Thoughts from the U.K. Have a good season in 2021

[@intoflyfishing]

Thanks for the comment! I'm looking forward to returning to the UK for some more fishing as well.

[@danreid6712]

Fenwick Aetos...

[@intoflyfishing]

We are going to get our hands on some Fenwick sticks for review soon

[@chrisingram9798]

I’ve got multiple 3wt rods and by far my favorite is the UL Classic from white river fly shops (bass pro shops/cabelas) in 6’6” length.

[@intoflyfishing]

Great tips thanks! Will check them out

[@BILLHENRY239]

I like the franco vivarelli semi automatic fly reel!

[@raywalteroutdoors]

I have the BVK 9' 5wt and love it but for small wooded streams I need a 7'-8' 3wt. Too bad they don't make the BVK anymore!!

[@jorgesven5197]

They are mixing specialty Euro Nymphing Rods with regular 3 weight fly rods. These are completely different styles and should be analyzed different. Euro Nymphing Rods and Standard Rods.

[@intoflyfishing]

We have a Best Euro Nymphing rod video coming out where we test 7 ESN rods side by side on the river. By definition 3 weight rods can include ESN but not the other way around, so the ESN list is specifically euro Nymphing rods.

[@valruscheniko2321]

Humungous con job - all of it!

[@intoflyfishing]

Awesome thanks for the comment.

[@bangormaine504]

Would of liked to seen JP ross fly rods in this

[@erikkarlsson5727]

Tried any Hanák rods? Would argue that it would beat the whole list.

[@intoflyfishing]

I haven’t. Not sure if anyone on the team had. I’ll check. Maybe we can get some in for review anyway.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

What do they mean “turn over flies”?

[@gregkosinski2303]

When you are casting a fly, your line turns over in the air. The old saying is you’re unrolling it. As the line unrolls, it eventually transfers its energy to the leader, and ideally the leader dissipates energy until the end where it turns your fly over to be perfectly straight. If you aren’t getting enough energy to the fly, it won’t turn over. Your cast will just kind of fall apart

[@MS-ux6fp]

Hardy ll ultralight the best,

[@johnharrington2400]

Comments like "by far" immediately reduce the legitamacy of the video. Sage is "by far" better than Winston? Ridiculous.

[@intoflyfishing]

I was unaware of that phenomenon. I’ll keep it in mind for future videos 🤣

[@florafang3403]

This man is correct. By far the best comment

[@bradleylofchik9035]

Please update title... EURO Rod

[@rudyruiz9521]

The video says 2 years ago but 2023 fly rods?

[@intoflyfishing]

We're working on updating these lists. If we updated the date and the video is from a year or two ago, it's because 85% or more of the kits on the list are still the best. Having said that, we just got a bunch of kits in shop for review so expect an update soon.

[@norincofan1949]

Nymphing and wet fly fishing are traditional, NOT dry fly fishing! Dry flies only became popular in the last century or so.

[@intoflyfishing]

Thanks for the tip

[@pahuntnut]

Seriously! 2 ads after only 2 minutes ! Not to mention the annoying introduction ads at the beginning. Time to find another platform for this stuff

[@kippnovak9833]

Hey bro...just fast fwd... then replay...ur welcome

[@terrysmith3510]

You need to diffentiate nymphing from euronymphing. not the same thing AT ALL. Learn a bit more about what you're talking about