Redington Classic Trout Review: 8ft 6in 5wt
Buy it if you fish small to medium streams, throw dry flies on 5X and 6X, and want a rod that protects fine tippet on the strike. Skip it if you nymph with an indicator on wide water, because 8 foot 6 inches gives away the tip height you need to hold line off conflicting currents.
A moderate action in a shorter blank, and the nymphing compromise that comes with it.
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod, 5 weight 8 foot 6 inch, 4 piece
Under $250
Redington's moderate action trout rod in the 5 weight 8 foot 6 inch four piece configuration, with a nylon tube and a lifetime warranty.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Configuration | 5 weight, 8 foot 6 inches, 4 piece |
|---|---|
| Action | Moderate, described by Redington as delicate enough for technical spring creeks with enough power for big river and boat fishing |
| Guides | Titanium oxide stripping guides |
| Reel seat | Custom machined components with a rosewood insert |
| Blank finish | Dark clay brown |
| Case | Divided brown ballistic nylon tube, with alignment dots on the sections |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty |
| Budget | Under $250 |
Specifications above come from Redington's published description of the Classic Trout. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- A moderate blank loads with less line outside the tip, which makes the short casts that catch most trout feel alive rather than dead.
- That same softness cushions a hookset on 5X and 6X, where a fast rod relies on the tippet to do the cushioning and loses fish.
- Alignment dots on the sections is a small feature that stops a rod being assembled with the guides out of line, which is more common than people admit.
- Lifetime warranty from Redington, plainly stated.
Where it falls short
- Eight feet six inches is short for indicator nymphing. Tip height is what holds fly line above conflicting currents, and the six inches you give up against a 9 foot rod are exactly the six inches that matter for mending at distance.
- A moderate action gives ground in wind. On an exposed bank this rod runs out of authority long before your arm does, and that is a property of the blank rather than a technique problem.
- Redington publishes no blank weight for this model that we could source, so we are not going to state one.
- The rosewood insert and clay brown finish are aesthetic choices that some people love and some find dated. That is worth knowing before it arrives.
What owners report
Published owner reviews of the Classic Trout are consistently affectionate rather than merely positive, which is unusual at this price. Reviewers describe it as forgiving, pleasant to cast at short range and easy to fish all day without fatigue, and the moderate action gets credit specifically for landing fish on light tippet.
The recurring criticism is exactly the one the specification predicts: owners who nymph or fish big water report wanting more length and more power. Several published reviews describe owning it alongside a 9 foot fast rod and choosing between them by the day, which is probably the most honest description of where this rod fits.
How it fits with the rest of your kit
The length and action question is the whole purchase, and the all round rod against nymphing rod comparison is where it is argued out properly. If you are genuinely unsure whether 8 foot 6 inches suits your river, put its width and your usual casting distance into the rod length calculator first, because this is one of the few gear decisions where a number beats a preference.
Against the field, the Echo Carbon-XL is the 9 foot moderate rod to buy instead if you nymph, and the Redington Vice is the same brand's fast rod for wind. The 5 weight roundup holds the wider list, and if you want this rod's character in a complete package, the Orvis Clearwater outfit is also an 8 foot 6 inch 5 weight.
Who it suits
- Small and medium stream anglers who fish dry flies more than indicators.
- Anyone who breaks off fish on 6X and suspects the rod is part of the problem.
- Casters who want feel rather than line speed.
Who should skip it
- Indicator nymphers on wide rivers, who should buy 9 feet or longer.
- Anglers on exposed windy water, who need a faster blank or a heavier line class.
- Distance casters, since a moderate action runs out well before 60 feet.
Alternatives worth considering
ECHO Carbon-XL Fly Rod 9 foot #5
Under $500
A 9 foot moderate 5 weight for under $500. The same forgiving character with the tip height that makes indicator nymphing and long mends work.
Check price on AmazonRedington Vice Fly Rod 590-4, 5 weight 9 foot 4 piece
Under $500
Redington's fast 9 foot 5 weight for under $500, which is the rod to buy instead if wind, split shot and streamers describe your usual day.
Check price on AmazonRedington Original Fly Rod, 5 weight 9 foot, medium-fast
Under $250
under $250 for a medium-fast 9 foot 5 weight from the same brand. Less charming and more versatile, and the better choice if this is your only rod.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- All round rod against nymphing rod
- Rod length calculator
- Best 5 weight fly rod
- Echo Carbon-XL review
- Redington Vice review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Is 8 foot 6 inches too short for a 5 weight?
Not for dry fly fishing on small and medium water, where a shorter blank is easier to aim under branches and quicker to load. It is short for indicator nymphing, where tip height lets you hold line off conflicting currents and mend at distance. If you nymph more than you fish dries, buy 9 feet, and the rod length calculator will tell you which side of that line your river falls on.
Redington Classic Trout versus Redington Vice, which should I buy?
They are opposites at the same brand. The Classic Trout is moderate and 8 foot 6 inches, built for feel, delicacy and fine tippet. The Vice is fast and 9 feet, built for wind, weighted rigs and line speed. Buy the Classic Trout if you fish dries on sheltered water, buy the Vice if wind and nymph rigs describe your normal day.
Does a moderate action rod really protect light tippet?
Yes, and the mechanism is simple. A softer blank bends further under a sudden load, which spreads the shock of a hookset or a lunge over a longer time and a longer distance. That is a genuine mechanical advantage on 5X and 6X. It is not a substitute for a properly set drag or for letting a fish run, both of which do more.
What reel balances an 8 foot 6 inch 5 weight?
A 5/6 sized reel, and on a shorter blank the balance question matters slightly more than usual because there is less rod to counterweight. A heavy die-cast reel on a short light rod feels butt heavy. A reel marked 4/5 or 5/6 in a lighter construction is the better pairing here than one that spans 5 to 7.
Is the Classic Trout a good first fly rod?
It is a lovely rod to learn to cast with, because the moderate action gives visible feedback. It is not the most versatile first rod, since 8 foot 6 inches limits nymphing and the moderate blank limits wind. If you will own exactly one rod for the next three years, a 9 foot medium-fast rod is the more sensible answer, and this is a wonderful second one.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, line and leader standards, and verified owner reviews across retailers. We do not test gear in person, and every diameter, grain weight and breaking strength quoted here is the manufacturer's published figure unless we say otherwise, so check the spool label before you trust a number. Nothing here is professional instruction. Wading moving water is the real hazard in this sport: wear a snug wading belt, know the water temperature, and turn back rather than push through a crossing you are unsure of.
