Are you looking for a great fly fishing rod that will last you years, without making a large dent in your bank balance? Whether you’re a complete beginner or you’ve got some experience, the Fenwick Aetos could be the one you’re looking for.
You’ll find everything you need to know right here in this Fenwick Aetos review so you can decide if this is the rod for you.
Fenwick Aetos Review
Key Features:
| Line Weight: 4 – 8 | Length: 6 – 10ft |
| Action: Fast | Handle: Reversed Half-Wells / Full Wells w/Fighting Butt |
| Rod Weight: 2.5 – 4.4oz | Rod Tube: Cloth-Covered Rod Tube |
| Color: Grey | Sections: 4 |
| Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty | Country Of Manufacture: USA |
Overall Score
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What to Consider Before Buying
When you’re shopping around for a new rod, you want to look for a rod that casts well with great accuracy, provides good line control, and is flexible and durable enough to land you that fish. These qualities make for an excellent rod.
Before shelling out on a rod, you’ll need to think about the type of fly fishing you’ll be doing most often. Are you fishing for trout, or will you be aiming for some whopping bass? Will be you making shorter casts or fishing at longer distances? Once you’ve decided this, you’ll know which rods weights to go for. For trout fishing, 5 weight tend to fare well, but if you’re after small- or largemouth bass, aim for the 7 wt.
The next step is choosing from fast action, medium action, or slow action – ie. how flexible your rod is. Fast action rods are ideal for long casts or windy days, but they do have a steep learning curve. Medium action rods are the most versatile, while slow action rods work best on small streams and are the easiest for beginners. Make sure your fly line weight matches up to your rods weights and reel weight, and you’re all set!
All About the Fenwick Aetos
The Fenwick Aetos is a series of fast action at an affordable price. With 17 different models available, there is an Aetos suited to every possible type of fly fishing. These rods range from lightweight to heavy rods, perfect for Spey casting. With a fast action, impressive construction quality, consistent performance, and the attractive price, the Aetos 4 piece rod is a delight to use.
Whether you’re a beginner or you’re after a spare rod for a friend to use, we’d happily recommend the Fenwick Aetos as a dependable rod that you’ll get years of use out of. You’ll be thrilled with the performance and accuracy of this Fenwick rod, which matches up to many of the premium fly rods that would set you back hundreds of dollars.
Now, onto the details of our Fenwick Aetos guide!
Features and Benefits:
Let’s get onto the nitty-gritty of this Fenwick Aetos, to dig into what really makes the Aetos stand out from the crowd!
Look and Construction:
Fenwick have created a rod that functions extremely well without breaking the bank. Because of this, you won’t find the luxurious details of the very high-end rods out there, but the Aetos is built to do the job, last you a good chunk of time and look great too. What more could you ask for at this price?
The Fenwick Aetos boasts AAA cork grips, a black anodized aluminum reel seat which is sturdy and durable, stylish darker blue rod blanks and a silver trim. The rod will look sleek and elegant in its eye-catching blue color.
The cork handle grips are comfortable to hold and cast all day, and the cork on the handle is great quality. Constructed from light weight graphite, it’s easy to handle, no matter how experienced (or not) you are.
Fast Action
These Fenwick rods have a fast action, which means that they have a soft tip that flexes when you cast your rod. The Aetos feels amazing in your hands – it’s fun to use and I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t want to put it down!
The fast action makes for tight loops, amazing feel, and impressive accuracy. Don’t worry if you’re just learning how to cast efficiently – this rod will make your job so much easier. Fast action rods mean that you can snag those fish even at longer distances, and get your fly exactly where you want to get it.
Lightweight Rod for Effortless Casting
The general rule for the best fly rods is that the lighter the weight, the better quality the graphite used in the rod. When it comes to weight, this rod will impress by how light it is. The Aetos is about the same weight as some of the premium, high-end fly rods on the market.
It definitely shows that good quality graphite has been used in the construction. Lightweight and refreshing to cast and fish with, you’ll love how little effort you have to put in to deliver the fly right where you want it to go. Every type of anglers will be impressed by how the Aetos feels in hand.
A Choice of Rod Lengths
For each of the rod weights, there’s a choice of rod lengths available. This means that you really do get the type of rod that is perfect for you and your own specific needs. If you’re going to be making long casts, you can opt for that longer length that will give you that power you need to cover the distance.
The extended handle makes it much easier to keep your grip, especially on the heavier rods, and draw that hefty fish in!
Strong Performance
The Aetos is pretty versatile, with a strong performance at all distances from 35 ft right up to 70 ft. But where it truly shines is at a medium distance. You will feel the power and the incredible lightness in your hands.
It’s smooth and you’ll get a staggeringly quick line speed thanks to the larger diameter of the guides reducing the friction of the line. Fast action rods are known to perform well at longer distances, but if you choose a 3 wt or 4 wt Aetos, you’ll have a fair chance of success, even at the shorter distances of under 30 ft.
Easy Transport
The Aetos is a 4 piece rod, making it easy to transport your rod easily and protect it from damage. With its own bag and hard rod tube, you’ve got no excuse not to get yourself on the road and visit all the best little fishing spots around. This type of rod is ideal for anglers who travel a lot from place to place.
Lifetime Warranty
You won’t have to worry about your Fenwick Aetos – it’s protected by the generous Fenwick lifetime warranty! You can fish away, knowing that if it breaks due to a fault in the craftsmanship or materials, Fenwick will replace it for free.
Fenwick Aetos (Reviews From Locals)
You don’t just have to take our word for it, though. There are loads of raving reviews all over the internet of anglers having great success with their Fenwick Aetos. I did a quick search and found a few I wanted to share with you:
My wife picked this up for me in a 9ft 5wt as a gift and it has been absolutely great. The action is amazing. I own Winston’s and Orvis rods and this stands tall against them. I strongly endorse this product.
Don’t go buy a beginner rod and reel package at the big box stores. Buy the Aetos and you will be a better caster from day 1! I have the Aetos in a 9ft 5wt. It casts very smoothly and compares very well to my more expensive rods. If I had noticed the Aetos sooner, I could have saved myself a lot of money.
Absolutely amazing stick… This rod has absolutely blown me away… This rod has a great feel, lightweight swing weight and is absolutely a pleasure to cast.
Alternatives to the Fenwick Aetos
Still not sure if the Fenwick Aetos is the right rod for you? To help you on your search for the perfect rod, why not check out these alternative products on the market to see if they appeal more?
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Moderate ActionSt Croix Avid Series Fly Rod |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Medium ActionRedington Classic Trout |
| Check Today's Price |
| Medium - Fast ActionEcho Carbon |
| Check Today's Price |
St. Croix Avid Series
If you’re looking for something with a moderate action, great accuracy and plenty of power, from the St Croix Avid Series might be just the thing for you.
The St Croix fly rods are available in a number of models just like the Fenwick Aetos, allowing you to select exactly the type of rod that you are after. You’ll get a custom cork handle, an important factor as you’ll be holding that handle all day.
These rods are in the same affordable price range as the Aetos, going for around $250. This makes them an attractive choice if your funds aren’t limitless. but you want something that provides a better performance than an entry-price beginners rod.
Even better than the Imperial fly rods, the 7 weight is perfect for trout fishing. The flexible tip provides plenty of feel and works well for streamer fishing.
Redington Classic Trout
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The Redington Classic Trout rod comes with a similar price tag, ranging from around $100 up to $200. This rod might be the best bet for you if you plan on fishing smaller rivers and mostly casting short distances of around 20-30m. It provides all the feel, sensitivity, and performance to hook you plenty of fish!
Thanks to the continuous taper, casting to fish at short distances is a real pleasure with the Redington Classic Trout. It’s easy to use, with an incredible feel and sensitivity. The handle is made of the best cork, while the handle fits comfortably in your hand. You’ll get accurate results, making it a great choice for beginners who are still getting the hang of casting and fishing.
However, we wouldn’t recommend this type of rod for long casts or tarpon fishing, for example. As the name suggests, it really excels at trout fishing at short to medium distances.
Echo Carbon
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The Echo Carbon is a medium-fast action rod that comes with a lifetime warranty and a rod case and sock for easy transport.
It breaks down into 4 pieces, making it easy to travel with, and is slightly more affordable than the Fenwick Aetos, though there’s not much in it. This nifty rod is pretty versatile: you can use it for everything from dry flies right up to nymphs. We’d recommend it for trout fishing.
It has an attractive design, the casting feedback is impressive and it feels amazing in use. We’d recommend this for anyone just starting out in or wanting to become more proficient.
FAQ
Where are Fenwick Aetos fly rods made?
Fenwick Aetos fly rods are made in the United States.
Is Fenwick Aetos good for beginners?
Yes, the Fenwick Aetos fly rod is a great choice for beginner fly anglers. The rod is light and easy to use, while still providing great performance.
Can you use the Aetos for freshwater and salwater?
Yes, the Fenwick Aetos is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fly fishing.
Final Words
So there you have the definitive Fenwick Aetos guide: everything you could need to know before you take the leap and invest in it. The Fenwick Aetos is an impressive fast action rod with superior build quality at a great price. If your search for the right rod on a budget hasn’t provided results, the Fenwick Aetos might be just what you’re looking for.
We think that it’s the best budget rod: you get so much more accuracy, performance, and speed than an entry-level beginner’s rod. Whether you’re looking for 5wt or 7 wt fly rods, you should definitely consider the Fenwick. If you decide to grab a Fenwick Aetos, your journey to become a proficient fly fisherman or woman will be that much smoother.
Don’t waste time and money on a cheap product when you could get this: you’ll get much more enjoyment and success from a decent rod, without blowing your budget! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Fenwick Aetos review – as always, drop me a comment with any questions or let me know what your experience is with Fenwick fly rods.
