Earlier this week I wrote about fishing long, light fly rods. Writing it  got me thinking about how incredibly practical and fun something like a 9′ 3-weight is for certain situations in trout fishing. Moreover, these are length/weight models that aren’t as common as shorter lightweight rods. Consequently, they’re not usually discussed.

I wanted to continue to explore ultralight rods that aren’t compact. I paged through the catalogs of all the major fly rod manufactures and compiled a list of all the available models that are rated for a 3-weight and under while also being at least 8′. They range in tapers, actions, and lengths (including some that are 10′!). They also range in price. You can add a rod like this to your arsenal for as low as $149 and as high as $975.

First, here are some questions that I wanted to address:

Aren’t 10’+ rods built for 2- and 3-weight lines common these days? I am aware that there are dozens upon dozens of 11′ and 12′ 3-weights out there today. But they are nymphing rods. They are designed for drifting weighted, subsurface flies and not for general fishing. Can you cast and drift a dry fly with these rods? Sure. But it isn’t what they’re  for.meant to do.

Why is 8′ the cutoff? I admit that it is arbitrary. But in my personal experience, casting and mending really start to improve at the 8′ mark. And in my research, most 2- and 3-weights are shorter than 8′. That makes those longer rods listed a little more unique.

Aren’t 4-weights light, too? Yes. In fact, I am sure that there are excellent 4-weights out there that feel “lighter in hand” and outperform some of the 3-weights listed. Two things: First, I’d suggest casting some 4’s alongside 3’s. There are a lot more of them out there, and a 4 might give you what you’re looking for. Second, 3 was another arbitrary cutoff. It is based upon the line designation, but also corresponds with a drop-off in availability.

Where are the glass rods? With a few minor caveats, every fly rod listed is made from graphite. Fiberglass is incredibly popular among ultralight aficionados. However, as a material it becomes more difficult to balance with longer weights and narrower tapers. It can be done, and some small-batch blank manufacturers achieve it. But among  the major fly rod labels, only two mix up the blank components: Blue Halo uses a graphite/glass mix, and Winston uses boron.

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Below is an assortment of long, light fly rods available as of June, 2020. If there are any glaring omissions (with dozens upon dozens of small-batch rod makers, I know there are omissions), feel free to let me know. Also, if you own or have fished with one of the rods listed please share your experiences.

Beulah

G2 Platinum: 10′ 3-weight, medium ($550)

Platinum: 8′ 3-weight, medium ($425)

Blue Halo

Liger: 8′ 3-weight, fast ($479)

Douglas

DXF: 9′ 3-weight, fast ($395)

SKY: 9′ 3-weight, medium-fast ($695)

Upstream: 8′ 2-weight, 8′ 3-weight, & 8’3″ 3-weight, slow ($389-469)

Echo

Dry: 9′ 2-weight & 9′ 3-weight, medium-fast ($229)

EDGE

Gamma Alpha: 8′ 3-weight, medium ($860)

G. Loomis

NRX+ LP: 8’3″ 3-weight, medium-fast ($795)

LOOP

7X: 10′ 3-weight, medium-fast ($975)

Evotec CAST Medium: 8’6″ 2-weight & 9′ 3-weight, medium ($475)

Evotec CAST Medium-Fast: 8’6″ 2-weight & 9′ 3-weight, medium-fast ($475)

Mauser

Arete: 8′ 3-weight, medium ($645)

Orvis

Recon: 8’4″ 3-weight, medium-fast ($498)

Helios 3F: 8’4″ 3-weight, medium ($898)

Redington

Classic Trout: 8’6″ 3-weight, medium ($149)

CRUX: 9′ 3-weight, fast ($399)

TRACE: 8’6″ 3-weight, medium-fast ($299)

VICE: 8’6″ 3-weight, fast ($199)

Sage

Pulse: 8’6″ 3-weight, fast ($450)

Sonic: 9′ 3-weight, fast ($550)

Trout LL: 8’9″ 3-weight, medium ($800)

X: 9′ 3-weight, fast ($900)

Scott

G-Series: 8’4″ 3-weight, 8’8″ 3-weight, medium ($845)

TFO

BVK: 8′ 3-weight, fast ($249)

Drift: 9′ 3-weight *convertable to nymphing rod, medium-fast ($399)

Finesse Trout: 8’9″ 3-weight, medium-fast ($229)

Pro II: 8′ 2-weight & 8’6″ 3-weight, medium-fast ($169)

Thomas & Thomas

Avantt, 8’6″ 3-weight, fast ($845)

Paradigm: 8’2″ 3-weight, medium ($875)

Winston

Freshwater AIR: 8′ 3-weight & 8’6″ 3-weight,  medium-fast ($975)

Pure: 10′ 3-weight, medium ($875)