TFO BVK Fly Rod - 4-Piece for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

9.5
out of 10
19 Positive, 0 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 19 Reviews
Retail Price:
$254.96
Used Value:
$152.98
Sale Value:
$229.46

These days, it's easier than ever to blow what you might have otherwise spent on a plane ticket to Alaska or Patagonia on a high-end fly rod. Realizing there are anglers out there that would rather put their fly rod to use, rather than just hang it on a mantel, TFO developed its BVK Fly Rod—a budget-friendly stick that delivers every ounce of performance you need whether you're chasing nasty browns up in Big Sky Country, battling football-shaped rainbows up in AK, or just catching wild trout on one of your favorite local streams.

Making affordable rods that perform well on the water is TFO's M.O., and the BVK is no exception. The rod is crafted with a lightweight graphite blank with a fast-action that's engineered to deliver the response and crisp action anglers look for when making accurate presentations at long distances. BVK finished the rod with lightweight components to keep the rod light and comfortable in the hand and reduce fatigue after multiple days on the water. The reel seat is composed of a braided carbon fiber, and the Flor-grade cork grip is contoured to comfortably match the shape of your hand. TFO's own Tactical Series Guides adorn this rod and are specifically built to withstand abuse on the river and in the drift boat.

Specifications

Brand:
TFO
Action:
fast
Claimed Weight:
[8ft] (3wt) 2.4 oz, [8ft 6in] (4wt) 2.7 oz, [9ft] (5wt) 2.9 oz, (6wt) 3 oz, (7wt) 3.1 oz, (8wt) 3.2 oz, [9ft 6in] (6wt) 3.2 oz, [10ft] (5wt) 3.2 oz
Handle:
snub-nosed reversed half wells
Length:
[3wt] 8 ft, [4wt] 8 ft 6 in, 10 ft, [5wt] 9 ft, 10 ft, [6wt] 9 ft, 9 ft 6 in, [7wt] 9 ft, [8wt] 9 ft
Manufacturer Warranty:
lifetime
Material:
[blank] graphite, [reel seat] braided carbon fiber, [grip] cork
Pieces:
4
Recommended Use:
fly fishing
Reel Seats:
up-locking
Rod Weight:
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Full Reviews

10
Gave this as a gift and my Brother loved it. Says it's great for the price and works with ease. A definite must have.
ERIN WRIGHT, backcountry.com
August 16, 2019
8
This is a great all arounder. Throws dries nicely, but can handle the occasional streamer as well.
Morgan Eliasen, backcountry.com
March 1, 2019
8
Ahhh TFO, I've tried many rods but you're fast action feel and excellent no questions asked warranty always has me coming back. This is a rod that won't break the bank but easily hangs with the more expensive rods out there. The cork handle is soft and supple that keeps me coming back from tossing streamers to throwing small flys to touchy fish.
Kyle, backcountry.com
July 19, 2018
10
The BVK performs like an 800 fast action rod at a great price. The feel is responsive enough for dry's and big streamers. Overall a solid rod for a mix of occasions.
Andrew Butterworth, backcountry.com
May 7, 2018
10
LIke others have said, great bang for your buck!
Nick, backcountry.com
January 8, 2018
10
This rod like most Temple Fork rods is a great rod for the price you pay. You can't go wrong buying this rod. I bought the 8 weight which I have enjoyed casting and look forward to use to fish for steelhead trout in oregon this winter. I also broke my 5 weight rod and this is the first rod I am looking at to replace it with.
Nelson, backcountry.com
August 30, 2017
10
This is my first fly rod and I am enjoying the heck out of it. It has been great on all my trips in Utah and Idaho. It breaks down real easy and straps right to my day pack for hike ins. I have the 5wtA. The weight and balance feel really nice, I've spent 10 hour days fishing with it and don't feel any arm pains or repetition use strains. The fast action really puts a lot of power in your hands. The color is a nice dark green and looks really sharp with my Rapid Ross charcoal reel with florescent orange backing and yellow/green line. Oh, and I've caught a bunch of fish with it too! Would recommend to anyone looking for a high quality rod but still hesitant on pulling the full financial trigger. It's been a great first rod!
Scott, backcountry.com
July 9, 2017
8
Awesome rod, might as well have it in all weights! BVK is my favorite rod for the price, out performs most!
Tyler Palmer, backcountry.com
March 25, 2017
10
This rod is amazing. Its great for nymphing or throwing small to medium sized streamers. I paired this with a Galvan Rush LT reel and it's a match made in heaven. The rod looks very good in person too. The cork handle is insanely soft as well. Very light rod, only 2.9 ounces, but throws almost any bug. I'm very happy with the rod and would recommend it to any one wanting to upgrade a little. I got this in a 5wt 9'0" if anyone was wandering.
Dylan Chambers, backcountry.com
October 15, 2016
10
After fishing on & off for the past three years and really getting into it this past year, I thought it was time to update the ol' Cabela's RLS combo my dad got me a few Christmas' back.... I had no idea what I was missing out on. The fast action on this rod makes for a great responsive feel for casting those dry's to the meaty-est of streamers. Pair this up with a solid fly line (Rio Grand or Gold) and you've got yourself quite a deadly combo. Hit me up if you're looking for a reel to pair well with this awesome quiver rod. Went with the standard 9ft 5wt and will be keeping the Cabela's rod for when I have guests visit town that have the itch to fish. Once you get the bug it's hard to think about anything else. Questions about combinations or looking to get into the sport and wondering where and what gear you need to get your feet wet (in the sport) - hit me up. Fish on!
yourDisplayName, backcountry.com
October 11, 2016
10
This is my second TFO rod and just as expected, it's a great 4wt! Excellent presentation and performance across the board on. You won't find a better rod for the price, and this rod will hang with a $500+ rod any day.
Gian Colombo, backcountry.com
September 18, 2016
10
I Got this rod for my bigger fishing trips and oh man has it caught me some big fish! Pretty light wt compared to other 8 wt's and does it deliver the line shots off the rod great it has a nice pre load feel to it! Highly recommend!
Jesse Ramirez, backcountry.com
September 4, 2016
10
Got this rod for sea run trout variety and salmon in the Puget Sound. It's super fast action and cuts through wind. I did break it once, but only after I had accidentally ran over it with a car, but TFO has a great warranty and actually took care of me! Pros: Fast action, great warranty, great for streamers, big dries or casting in windy conditions Cons: None!
Maia Menard, backcountry.com
May 29, 2016
8
I've had this in a 5 weight since 2013 (check my review below) and have been pleased with it. I have since purchased a 3 wt butter stick for those shorter finesse casts to spooky fish and typically bring that along when I take the 5 wt out just in case. I just got the 7 wt for those days you just want to throw meat and try to catch a pig. The 8 wt BVK is pretty well documented as a incredible rod at a bargain price (check out Yellowstone Angler's 8 Weight Shootout). The 8 can hang with rods in the $ 800 range, so why not the 7 wt? Living in SLC I don't typically fish big rivers like the Yellowstone or fish saltwater flats for tarpon or bonefish so I decided to try the 7 wt instead of the 8. I haven't been disappointed. I have it paired with a Waterworks Lamson Guru II reel and Scientific Anglers Sonar INT/S3/S5 full sink line for streamers. I also have a spool with SA Sharkwave GPX taper for mousing and carp fishing. The BVK 7 wt can launch the full sink line 'bout a quarter mile (don't quote me on that). It is certainly enough rod for smaller rivers like the Provo or Weber, I can't wait to get this thing on stillwater and the Green. Sidenote: While they perform well and have a great price BVK's do tend to break. I broke my 5 wt while double hauling a streamer (the streamer did not hit the rod). Almost everyone I know that owns one has snapped a BVK at some point. The upside is that it costs about $30 to get it fixed from TFO.
Travis Tzioumis, backcountry.com
May 4, 2016
10
I guide fly fishing full time throughout the summer and have always found Temple Fork to make a great rod that won't break your wallet. I got this rod in a 5 wt and so far it has proven to be a great purchase. It is a little stiff for smaller dry fly fishing but for longer casts and heavier rigs it works great. Even throws a streamer with ease. Definitely a great all around choice for a rod if you aren't looking to buy multiple rods. Need to try out the 4 wt next.
Will Cardamone, backcountry.com
November 19, 2015
10
I'm just getting into fly fishing and paired this with the Lamson Guru (http://www.backcountry.com/lamson-guru-fly-reel?ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6Z3VydToxOjI6Z3VydQ&skid=LMS0014-TYPS2CLE-S15WEI). I haven't had a chance to try them out yet but they are very well balanced.
Maggie, backcountry.com
October 3, 2014
10
I've got this rod in a 690 with fighting butt, or B handle. This thing is great. I use it for my streamer rod and it can chunk a heavy streamer a mile. For shorter casts you're a bit over gunned, but that's why they make 3 and 4 weights right? In addition to throwing streamers with it I also throw this one on bigger waters like lakes and ponds in the High Unitas and local reservoirs around here. I'll also be taking it to my April drift trip to the Green River in NW UT. I've taken it on a camping trip in MT where I wasn't going to fish a ton and it worked pretty well. With smaller stuff I had to position myself at least 30 feet from the seam I was casting into. So if you're looking for a true all arounder the 5 wt would be better But as an all-around bigger rod I love this thing. You can throw it a long way with tons of power so the wind doesn't stand a chance. All in all its a great rod and I look forward to getting the 3wt BVk as well. This rod family is a winner.
Clint L., backcountry.com
October 25, 2013
10
I initially owned a 9ft5wt rod and disliked the action for a general "all purpose" rod. Picked up the 9ft6wt paired with Rio Grand floating line for streamer and nymph rigs and it totally kills. Definitely a fast rod, but has a sensitive enough tip to feel the rod loading still. Not recommended if you're a newbie, but if you've got some casting experience under your belt this is a great rod. Great for hunting medium to larger browns on the Provo or Weber. As a fast 6wt it is definitely overkill for smaller trout and you don't feel much on the fight with the little guys, so depends on what you're after. Also, not the best rod for dries, but works in a pinch and on a windy day is my preferred rod. Stands up very well to the unexpected gusts where my other rods just buckle. I have yet to take this out on a lake, but it is definitely capable of putting out some line and will likely become my lake rod as well. Overall, depending on what I'm fishing for, this is a great rod and will be my go to rod for streamers, nymph rigs, and windy days. 5 stars, love it!
Benny B, backcountry.com
August 15, 2013
8
Got this rod as my first rod after borrowing spares from friends for the last few years. It was suggested to me by a friend that guides in Montana. Just getting off of a broken arm and have been out a couple times with it. Its not the best for those short finesse casts but for the price I have been very satisfied with what it can do. I have only used Scientific Anglers Mastery Textured GPX taper line with this rod so far, and love what it can do. I have to agree with most other reviewers that no hard case is kind of a drag.
Travis Tzioumis, backcountry.com
July 30, 2013

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