Which Fly Fishing Rods are Made in the USA?

Which Fly Fishing Rods are Made in the USA?

Many high-quality fly fishing rods are made in the USA by companies that pride themselves on craftsmanship, innovation, and premium materials. Here's a comprehensive list of fly rod manufacturers that still make their rods in the United States, along with some context on what makes each brand notable:

Fly Fishing Rod Brands Made in the USA

1. Sage Fly Rods (Bainbridge Island, Washington)

* Known for: High-performance rods with advanced graphite materials like KonneticHD.
* Popular Series: Sage R8 Core, Sage X, Sage Salt R8.
* Specialty: Premium freshwater and saltwater fly rods.
* Notes: All Sage rods are designed and built on-site in Washington state.

2. Scott Fly Rods (Montrose, Colorado)

* Known for: Progressive flex profiles, handmade construction, deep bend action.
* Popular Series: Scott Centric, Sector, G Series.
* Specialty: Saltwater and technical freshwater rods.
* Notes: Every Scott rod is handcrafted in Colorado with distinctive unsanded blanks.

3. Winston Rod Company (Twin Bridges, Montana)

* Known for: Smooth, moderate action with traditional feel.
* Popular Series: Winston Air 2, Pure, Alpha+, Saltwater Air 2.
* Specialty: Dry fly and spring creek fishing; also strong saltwater options.
* Notes: Uses proprietary Boron materials; built one at a time in Montana.

4. Thomas & Thomas (Greenfield, Massachusetts)

* Known for: Boutique craftsmanship and fine aesthetics.
* Popular Series: T&T Zone, Paradigm, Sextant, Avantt.
* Specialty: Freshwater finesse and high-end saltwater performance.
* Notes: Every rod is meticulously hand-rolled and finished in Massachusetts.

5. Orvis (Manchester, Vermont)

* Known for: Innovation and a blend of performance and value.
* Popular Series: Helios 3 (H3), Recon (USA-made), Superfine Glass.
* Specialty: Broad range, from beginner to elite-level rods.
* Notes: The flagship Helios 3 and Recon rods are made in Vermont; Clearwater rods are made overseas.

6. Echo (some USA-made models)

* Made in USA: Echo Prime 2 (saltwater rod), other specialty rods.
* Popular Series: Echo Prime 2, Echo TR (most rods made overseas).
* Specialty: Affordable and performance-balanced rods.
* Notes: Tim Rajeff’s brand; most rods are made abroad but the Prime 2 is USA-made.

7. Burkheimer Rods (Washougal, Washington)

* Known for: Custom, handcrafted rods with deep action.
* Popular Series: Classic, Presentation, Saltwater, Spey rods.
* Specialty: Two-handed (Spey), classic trout, and custom builds.
* Notes: Extremely customizable and boutique — all made in small batches.

8. Swift Fly Fishing (Epic USA-made blanks)

* Known for: High-performance fiberglass rods.
* Specialty: Fiberglass rods with modern tapers.
* Notes: Some Epic rods are built in the USA using domestic blanks; others are kits or built internationally.

9. McFarland Rod Company (Pennsylvania)

* Known for: Custom fiberglass and graphite rods.
* Specialty: Small stream and custom glass rods.
* Notes: Boutique operation by Mike McFarland; handcrafted from blank to finish.

10. Beulah Fly Rods (USA series only)

* Known for: Spey and switch rods.
* Made in USA: Platinum G2 series (others made overseas).
* Specialty: Two-handed rods and trout spey.
* Notes: Only the Platinum G2 rods are made in the USA.

Summary: USA-Made Fly Rods by Brand

| Brand                     | Fully USA-Made? | Specialty                                     |
| -------------------- | ------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| Sage                       | Yes                       | All-around, saltwater, tech trout |
| Scott                       | Yes                       | Saltwater, freshwater, Spey         |
| Winston                  | Yes                       | Dry fly, finesse, light rods           |
| Thomas & Thomas | Yes                       | Boutique craftsmanship             |
| Orvis                       | Partially                | Helios 3, Recon (USA)                |
| Echo                        | Partially                | Prime 2 (USA)                            |
| Burkheimer              | Yes                       | Custom rods, Spey                    |
| Swift/Epic                 | Partially               | Some USA-built blanks and rods |
| McFarland                | Yes                       | Custom glass rods                   |
| Beulah**                   | Partially                | Platinum G2 (USA)                   |

Why Choose USA-Made Fly Rods?

* Quality Craftsmanship: Higher quality control, hands-on building.
* Customer Support: Easier warranty service and part replacement.
* Innovation: Many US companies lead in rod technology and materials.
* Pride of Origin: Supports domestic manufacturing and small business.

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