Trout spey is all the rage nowadays among anglers, offering a more tamed version than traditional spey rods, scaled down for trout rivers. The cult following of two-handed fishing is growing more and more, as are the offerings from manufacturers. With so many trout spey fly rods on the market, choosing the right one can feel like trying to pick the perfect bottle of wine without knowing the difference between a cabernet and a merlot. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially if you’re new to the game.
To help navigate the complex world of trout spey rods, we tested a range of rods across manufacturers to see how they stacked up. This guide will help you sort through marketing jargon and find the trout spey rod that’s the best fit for your time on the water.
BEST TROUT SPEY RODS OF 2025
- Best Overall: Gloomis IMX-PRO V2 Short Spey
- Best Runner-Up: Hardy Ultralite Sintrix NSX
- Best Value: TFO PRO III TH
- Best for Beginners: Orvis Clearwater
- Honorable Mention: Redington Claymore Trout Spey
TESTING PROCESS
Admittedly I am a complete gear junkie. Working in a fly shop as well as guiding has allowed me to play with the newest gear every year. I have been blessed to become friends with many rod designers along the way, some of whom I spend hours on the phone talking to on a regular basis. I love testing fly rods because I truly feel that every rod is different and created with a certain objective in mind. In testing these rods, I found out the differences between rods and the situations that suit each best.
Every Trout spey rod on this list is a 4wt. Now, in contrast, the lengths vary slightly, from 11ft to 11.6ft. I chose to go with the 4wt offerings, as opposed to the 2wt or 3wt, to have the backbone to throw bigger streamers and bugs on larger water. To complement these rods, I have paired them up with Airflo Skagit Scout 300g and Airflo Ridge 2.0 Running line (20lb), and varying sink tips for swinging. I also used the Airflo Super Trout 7wt for single-handed fishing under an indicator, after all, they are “switch” rods.
Best Overall
G. Loomis IMX-Pro V2 Short Spey
KEY FEATURES:
- Length: 11’1″
- Weight: 4wt
- Rod Action: Fast
PROS:
- Sensitive rod blank
- Premium components and build quality
- Great value
CONS:
- Might be a little fast for beginners
The Gloomis IMX-PRO V2 truly earned its spot at the top of the list. Whether I was swinging flies with the 300-grain Skagit line or indicator fishing with the 7-wt line, this rod handled it with no problem whatsoever. The action is smooth yet powerful. You can feel the load of the rod throughout the cast, lending to a controlled spey cast.
It also has a great feel in the hand thanks to the premium cork and components that come with this rod. These same components contribute to the sensitivity of the rod. G. Loomis prides itself on building premium blanks, and the IMX-Pro V2 Short Spey is no different. The sensitivity immediately stood out on the water. As I was combing through my local rivers, I could feel the slightest takes on size 18 wet flies. This intense sensitivity led to many fish hitting the net. The only downside to this rod is that I found it to be a little fast for beginners. Timing is crucial in a spey cast, so faster rods shorten that loading and unloading window. Overall, this rod has a superb feeling in the hands that competes with rods twice its MSRP.
Runner-Up
Hardy Sintrax NSX
KEY FEATURES:
- Length: 11’4″
- Weight: 4wt
- Rod Action: Medium-Fast
PROS:
- Lightweight
- Accurate
- Amazing components
CONS:
- Price
The first thing I noticed about this rod is the beauty you get in components and packaging. The Hardy Sintrax NSX features recoil guides as well as a custom aluminum and carbon reel seat. This rod comes with a square rod tube that does not roll right off the hood of your car, something I wish were industry standard.
Now for the actual bread and butter of the rod. This rod is lightweight and extremely accurate. I could throw this rod all day, whether I was using the Skagit or the 7wt line setup. The feel of the line is present throughout the entire cast. Hardy lists this rod as a medium-fast action, which I would say is accurate. I noticed it slightly struggled when throwing big streamers on heavy sink tips, but excelled with smaller streamers and wet flies.
I awarded this rod the runner-up position only for the price. It is a pricey rod due to the high-quality blank, components, and cork. If you’re looking for a trout spey rod that’s a truly premium product, I highly recommend the Hardy Sintrax NSX.
Best Value
TFO Pro III TH
KEY FEATURES:
- Length: 11’0″
- Weight: 4wt
- Rod Action: Moderate
PROS:
- Easy to cast
- Comfort
- Value
CONS:
- slightly heavy
The TFO PRO III TH earned itself the best value award. For the money, you get a medium action trout spey that is versatile and capable in the hands of beginners and experienced anglers alike. The medium action is easy to load and cast. This is great for beginners looking to learn and feel what a proper spey cast is like. But don’t sleep on this, it’s also just as capable in the hands of a seasoned two-handed angler.
I found that this rod liked every line that I threw at it. It excelled at throwing small rabbit strip streamers up close and at a distance. The medium action provides plenty of feel for both the smallest and largest of eats. The one minimal con I had with this rod is the weight in hand. The weight is noticeable but not unbearable.
Best for Beginners
Orvis Clearwater
KEY FEATURES:
- Length: 11’4″
- Weight: 4wt
- Rod Action: Medium fast
PROS:
- Price
- Casting Distance
- Value
CONS:
- Line specific
The Orvis Clearwater takes the cake for the best beginner trout spey rod. I had several buddies accompany me during the many days testing these rods, and almost all of them preferred to pick up the Clearwater. I attribute this to the overall feel of the rod and its ability to bomb casts with minimal effort.
The value of this rod is great considering the MSRP at which Orvis lists it, and the quality is on par with rods twice as expensive. The Clearwater line of rods is my go-to for teaching beginners on guide trips, and this trout spey offering has earned its spot on the roster. My only downside is that the Clearwater is quite line-sensitive. It loved throwing the heavier 300-grain lines for streamers but did not seem to have as stellar a performance with a lighter Scandi line.
Honorable Mention
Redington Claymore Trout Spey
KEY FEATURES:
- Length: 11’6″
- Weight: 4wt
- Rod Action: Fast
PROS:
- Power
- Grip
- Can throw big flies
CONS:
- Awkward feel
Redington is another brand that simply makes good rods for the price. At first, I was a little hesitant about the foam grip choice that Redington paired up with the cork. I worried that it would become slippery when wet, but it did the opposite. This unique grip actually improves your grip on the running line.
The Claymore has plenty of power to send big or small flies a country mile. During some of these longer casts, I noticed that I sometimes felt disconnected to my flies. I think this is due to the fast action that the Claymore offers. It’s only okay for casting a variety of different weighted tips and flies.
Overall, the Reddington Claymore is a good rod, but it did not resonate with me as much as other rods we tested. Spey casting definitely involves personal styles of casting, so others might find this rod to suit their casting styles more than I did.
FAQS
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST TROUT SPEY ROD WEIGHT?
Trout spey rods are typically offered in 2, 3, and 4 weights. In this test, I opted for the 4wt option for my style of fishing. The heavier 4-weight is going to have more backbone to deliver bigger streams to bigger fish. Two and 3-weight offerings still have the power to throw smaller streamers, but better suit anglers who are looking to swing wet flies and nymphs.
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST TROUT SPEY LINE?
The best trout spey lines are a highly debated topic. There are typically two routes to go down, Skagit and Scandi lines. Skagit lines are designed to be heavier in order to turn over bigger flies and get down fast. Scandi lines are lighter and better at delivering more delicate presentations. I highly recommend looking at the specs of your trout spey rod to see what line grain your manufacturer recommends pairing. This is the best way to ensure a pleasant casting experience.
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST TROUT SPEY ROD FOR BEGINNERS?
Trout spey rods can be quite intimidating for beginners to cast. There is no need to be afraid to tackle this learning curve. Moderate or moderate-fast action rods will make it easier to learn the various types of trout spey casts. A lightning-fast rod might be good for launching flies across your favorite tailwater, but it can often be harder to time right. I recommend starting with a softer action rod that promotes good casting habits.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Trout spey fishing is a quickly growing segment of fly fishing and garners a lot of different opinions. With that comes new rods and a lot of them. Rod companies are really honing in on advanced technology in order to bring a pleasurable spey casting experience to all anglers. Whether you are looking to pick up your first trout spey rod or your fifth, I hope this list helps make your next purchasing decision a little easier.
