The standard by which all other gel floatants are measured
This premium gel floatant is the world’s best fly floatant. Aquel is long lasting, silicon based and won’t melt when it’s hot or harden when it’s cold. Furthermore, it masks human odor and won’t leave any slick on even the calmest water. (Pronounced “ahh kwel”).
-Premium dry fly gel floatant -Temperature stable -Silicon based -Will not leave oil slick on water
The rod and reel, matched and done right — the foundation of your setup.
This is the Fly Flinger — our do-everything 9' 5-weight — paired with a matched reel as one balanced outfit. It's the simplest way to get the two big pieces right: one purchase, no guesswork about what reel pairs with the rod, and a setup that's balanced and ready to build on.
The Fly Flinger is the rod most people should start with. Nine feet gives you reach and accuracy across the widest range of water. A 5-weight throws dry flies, nymph rigs, and small streamers, and still has the backbone to handle a surprisingly big fish. And a medium-fast action is forgiving — it loads easily, so it's the action you actually want to learn on. Matched with the reel, you've got a real, do-everything trout rod-and-reel outfit at a price that beats buying the two separately.
Buying the rod and reel together saves you money over buying them apart, and it takes the guesswork out of matching a reel to the rod. Choose left- or right-hand retrieve, and the two biggest pieces of your kit are handled.
Straight talk on what's included. The reel comes pre-spooled with backing and a weight-forward fly line — two things you'd normally buy separately, already handled. So it casts right out of the box.
But a rod, reel, and line still isn't everything you need to fish. You'll also want a leader, tippet, and flies (plus basics like nippers). We'd rather tell you that up front than pretend otherwise. If you want the truly complete "everything to start" setup in one box, check out our Starter Packs.
What's in the combo
The Fly Flinger rod — our 9' 5wt do-everything trout rod, with all the details below.
A matched reel — balanced for the 9' 5wt so the outfit feels right in your hand, available in left- or right-hand retrieve.
Backing and a weight-forward fly line — pre-spooled and ready to cast, so line and backing are two purchases you don't have to make separately.
The Cordura rod & reel case — with a leather VFC patch, to carry the whole outfit and keep it protected.
The rod, built with the details that usually cost more
Graphite
Light, sensitive, and responsive — the backbone of a rod that does it all.
Carbon fiber reel seat
Strong and light, with a single locking ring to keep weight down.
AA-grade cork
A comfortable, durable handle that holds up season after season.
Stainless steel guides
One stripping guide plus snake guides; corrosion-resistant and smooth.
Alignment dots
Line up your sections right, every time.
Anti-glare matte finish
VFC green, so sun off the blank won't spook fish.
2 tips included
The tip breaks most often — so we include a spare and you stay on the water.
Cordura rod & reel case
Leather VFC patch; carries the whole outfit and travels easy.
Full specs
Includes
Fly Flinger rod + matched reel (pre-spooled with backing & fly line) + Cordura case
Rod length
9 ft
Rod line weight
5 wt
Rod action
Medium-fast
Rod pieces
4 (2 tips total)
Rod blank
Graphite, VFC Green anti-glare matte
Grip / reel seat
Half wells AA cork; carbon fiber reel seat
Reel
Matched for 9' 5wt; left- or right-hand retrieve; pre-spooled with backing & weight-forward fly line
Case
Cordura rod & reel case with leather patch
Best for
A matched rod-and-reel foundation for an all-around trout setup
Just want the rod, or a different one?
This combo is built around the Fly Flinger, the do-everything rod most people should start with. If you'd rather build your own setup or you're after a different rod, here's the lineup:
The Riser (8.5' 4wt) — the dry-fly rod. Delicate and accurate for spooky fish on clear water.
The Fly Flinger (9' 5wt) — the do-everything, where-you-start rod (the rod in this combo).
The Fly Flinger Pro (9' 5wt, fast) — the premium all-arounder. Faster, lighter, upgraded hardware, better in wind.
The Bug Bomber (9' 6wt) — the muscle. Big streamers, heavy nymph rigs, wind, and bigger water.
Why buy the combo instead of the rod alone? Two reasons: it costs less than buying the rod and a reel separately, and it takes the guesswork out of matching a reel to the rod. You get the two big pieces — a balanced, matched rod and reel — in one purchase.
What's the difference between left- and right-hand retrieve? It's which hand you reel with. Right-hand retrieve means you cast with your left hand and reel with your right; left-hand retrieve is the reverse. Most right-handed anglers cast with their right hand and reel with their left (left-hand retrieve), but it comes down to preference — pick whichever feels natural.
Is this a good setup for a beginner? The rod and reel are a great foundation — the Fly Flinger's forgiving action is easy to learn on, and it comes pre-spooled with backing and fly line, so you're not guessing about gear. Just know you'll still need a leader, tippet, and flies to actually fish. If you want all of that handled in one purchase, our Starter Packs are built for exactly that.
Does it come with fly line and backing? Yes. The reel comes pre-spooled with backing and a weight-forward fly line, so those are two purchases you don't have to make separately. It's ready to cast out of the box.
How good is the fly line? We'll be straight with you: it's a solid mid-tier line, not a premium flagship. Think comparable to the everyday lines from the big brands rather than their top-shelf tapers. Is it the best line money can buy? No. Will it cast well and get the job done while you're learning and fishing? Absolutely. Plenty of anglers fish it happily for a long time — and you can always upgrade the line down the road without touching the rod or reel.
What else do I need to actually fish? With the rod, reel, backing, and fly line handled, you'll still need a leader, tippet, and flies — plus basics like nippers. Those aren't in this combo. If you'd rather get everything in one shot, our Starter Packs bundle the whole setup so you're genuinely ready for the water.
What if I break the rod? See our replacement program — we ship replacement sections fast. And it already comes with a spare tip, the section that breaks most often.
Break a section? We'll get you back on the water fast. Every VFC rod is covered by our replacement program — a simple process to get a replacement section shipped quickly. Learn how it works →
These non-toxic, tin weights are coated with a durable matte finish that both adds longevity and keeps the weight from sliding on the line. The natural colors and subtle mottled texture won't spook fish the way glossy weights will.
The double-cut design makes these weights easily adjustable and truly re-usable, as they don't require a special tool to open and remove them from the leader.
- Non-gloss matte coating - Textured finish to prevent slipping - Double cut for easy re-use and adjustment - Easy-to-use twist dispenser - Sizes in 6, 4, 1, BB
A dry fly angler's best friend. Top Ride brings flies back from the dead and keeps them riding on top.
Known as “Shake and Bake” by world class guides, this desiccant (drying agent) and powder floatant is fast and easy to use. A fly (still attached to the leader) goes in wet, and a few shakes later comes out dry and coated with a powder floatant.
The do-everything rod you start with — and won't outgrow for a long time.
Nine feet, 5-weight, medium-fast. If you're going to own one fly rod, it's this one: forgiving enough to learn good casting on, capable enough to throw dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers on almost any trout water you'll fish.
Almost everyone who gets into fly fishing hears the same advice: get a 9' 5-weight. There's a reason that advice never dies — it's the most versatile trout setup there is. Nine feet gives you reach and accuracy across the widest range of water. A 5-weight throws dry flies, nymph rigs, and small streamers, and still has the backbone to handle a surprisingly big fish. And a medium-fast action is forgiving — it loads easily, so it's the action you actually want to learn on.
That's the Fly Flinger. Not a compromise rod or a "beginner toy" you'll replace after a season — a legitimate, do-everything trout rod, priced so the cost of getting started doesn't stop you.
We keep making it better
This isn't the same Fly Flinger we launched with. We upgraded the blank — it's more accurate, with higher torsional stability, which is a technical way of saying it tracks straighter and lands where you aim. We moved it to VFC green with an anti-glare matte finish so sun off the water won't give you away. We're not satisfied with "good enough" on the rod most people learn on. The whole point of the Fly Flinger is to put a real tool in a new angler's hands — one that helps them get better instead of fighting them.
Built with the details that usually cost more
Graphite
Light, sensitive, and responsive — the backbone of a rod that does it all.
Improved blank
Straighter tracking and better accuracy than the last version.
Carbon fiber reel seat
Strong and light, with a single locking ring to keep weight down.
AA-grade cork
A comfortable, durable handle that holds up season after season.
Stainless steel guides
One stripping guide plus snake guides; corrosion-resistant and smooth.
Alignment dots
Line up your sections right, every time.
Anti-glare matte finish
VFC green, so sun off the blank won't spook fish.
2 tips included
The tip breaks most often — so we include a spare and you stay on the water.
Is it good for beginners? Built for exactly this. The forgiving medium-fast action is easy to learn on, and the 9' 5wt handles the widest range of trout fishing. A real rod, not a starter toy.
I'm not a beginner — is this enough rod? For all-around trout, yes. Plenty of experienced anglers fish a 9' 5wt as their main rod. Want more line speed and wind performance? That's the Fly Flinger Pro.
Fly Flinger vs. Fly Flinger Pro? Same size, different feel. The Pro is faster, lighter, with upgraded hardware and premium cork — better in wind. The Fly Flinger is easier to learn on and our most accessible price. Both are a lot of rod for the money.
What line and reel pair with it? A 5-weight line and a reel sized for 5/6-weight.
What flies can it throw? Dry flies, nymph rigs (including dry-dropper), and small streamers. A true all-arounder.
What if I break it? See our replacement program — we ship replacement sections fast. And it already comes with a spare tip, the section that breaks most often.
Break a section? We'll get you back on the water fast. Every VFC rod is covered by our replacement program — a simple process to get a replacement section shipped quickly. Learn how it works →