Fly fishing adventures begin here

Complete fly rod & reel combos
For you — For gifts

Fly shop owner Tom Hargrove

How To Choose The Right Fly Rod & Reel Combo

First Things

  • All outfits come rigged with backing, floating line, leader loop and leader— ready to fish.
  • Postage paid to U.S. shipping addresses.

Selecting the Right Rod is Easy

The simplest way to choose fly rods that makes sense is to choose rods to suit the kind of fishing you'll be using them for. And the use is defined by two key variables—where you fish, lakes, ponds, rivers or streams, and the size and species of fish. Reels and fly lines compliment the rods.

In the table below, I've listed locations commonly fished by Missouri and other Midwest anglers and the kinds of species commonly fished for.

When in doubt, around here the 5-weight rod is an excellent “utility” weight and always a good choice.

  5 Weight 8 Weight
Fish Pan Fish Large Trout
  Bluegill Salmon
  Bream Largemouth Bass
  Trout Walleye/Pike
  Smallmouth Bass Redfish/Snook
Location Upper Meramec Lower Meramec
  Trout Parks Tablerock Lake
  White River Bull Shoals Lake
  Western Rockies Gasconade River
  Farm Ponds Alaska
  Ozark Streams Florida Everglades

You can choose the rob & reel combos below in either 5-weight or 8-weight.

Bargain Fly Rod & Reel Combos

St. Croix Premier Series

Premier© Fly Fishing outfits come ready-to-fish.

Premier rods have a smooth, moderate-fast action. They come with a 5-year manufacturer warranty. SCII material is a powerful, durable graphite, that is light and sensitive. Rods have an exceptional “feel”.

Includes:

  • Premier fly rod, case and cloth sack
  • St. Croix large arbor fly reel with adjustable disc drag
    • .
  • Fly line backing and tapered leader installed.

$160 – $170 plus tax

Sage Launch Series Medium-Fast Action Rods

Superior rods not just for beginners

The key to better casting is the ability to feel the rod load. So when Sage designed the new Launch Series rods, they created a smooth, progressive power curve and an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio. Loosely translated, that means Launch Series rods provide an exceptional level of line connection, or feel, allowing anglers of all abilities to cast better and more easily. And because they’re Sage rods, every Launch Series rod is hand built on Bainbridge Island with wood reel seat inserts, chrome-plated snake guides and high-grade Portuguese cork grips.

Includes:

  • Sage fly rod case
  • Sage 1201 or 1401 reel
    • .
  • Rio Mainstream WF line

$270 – $285 plus tax

Top-End Fly Rod & Reel Combos

Sage SLT Series Medium-Fast Action Rods

Ultimate blend of elegance, finesse and performance

The SLT has earned generous praise from both beginners and from dyed-in-the-wool fans of its predecessors. Unbelievably light, the classic, medium-fast taper and silky-smooth action has delighted anglers who prefer a longer, more relaxed casting rhythm, yet demand the highest level of performance. SLT rods feature slim-line ferrule technology, allowing Sage 4-piece and 5-piece rods that flex so smoothly, you may forget there are any ferrules at all. And while these rods are defined by their smooth classic action, every SLT is built with Sage's exclusive Graphite IIIe for the high line speed and power required in challenging situations. For the ultimate blend of elegance, finesse and performance, the SLT Series remains without peer.

Includes:

  • Sage fly rod case
  • Sage 2500 or Sage 3400D reel
  • 3M WF line

$850 – $1200 plus tax

Sage 2500 reel Sage 3400-D reel

2500 Series lightweight, large-arbor reels feature a unique, offset 3:1 gear reduction drag system and numbered, repeatable adjustment knob for consistent operation in all conditions. Self-lubricating drive gears and sealed graphite drag washers mean 2500 Series reels are maintenance-free and unaffected by sand, dunkings or blistering runs. These reels are made from hard-anodized, aerospace-grade aluminum. Perfect for situations where you want a lighter-weight reel, but still need a smooth, reliable drag.

Anglers who have fished the Sage 3000 Series reels rank them among the finest in the world. Built with the same commitment to craftsmanship, quality materials and innovation you’ve come to expect from Sage rods, the 3000 Series is on the cutting edge of modern reel design. Take the buttery-smooth drag system of the 3000D Series, for instance. It features a completely sealed multi-graphite disk drag system, so you never have to worry about water, dirt or sand. The numbered, positive-click drag adjustment knob protects light tippets while offering train-stopping power when you need it—like when that 25-pound permit heads for the horizon line. And the large-arbor design helps you pick up line fast—for when he changes his mind and charges back at you. Of course, every 3000 Series reel is machined from the finest aircraft-grade aluminum and custom anodized for corrosion resistance.

When fishing for large trout, medium salmon, stripers or bonefish, 3400D reel is lightweight yet heavy-duty. We recommend this reel with 7- and 8-line rods.

How to Order

It couldn't be easier

If you are interested in one of these combos, or if you want to discuss other rod/reel options, just call us at 314-968-4223 or visit the shop at 9024 Manchester Road in Brentwood, just west of Brentwood Blvd. (we're right across the street from Carl's Drive In.)

We check availability of combos not in stock. Special orders usually ship same day. Any major credit card secures your order. You are billed only when your order is delivered.

And remember—we pay the postage on deliveries within the USA. Price below does not include sales tax on applicable sales.

Manufacturer & model 5-wt 8-wt
St. Croix Premier Series Rods & Reels $160 – $170   
Sage Launch Series Rods & Reels $270 – $285   
Sage SLT Series Rods & Reels $850 – $1200   

And remember—we pay the postage. Price below does not include sales tax on applicable sales.

Early Bird Holiday Bonus

Bonus for Holiday Gift orders

We'll throw in a bonus for any combos purchased on or before December 10, 2006, these or other rod & reel kits. For each combo, you receive the Missouri Fly Selection of your choice...the Trout Flies or the Smallmouth Flies. Bonus includes selection of flies and the fly box.