Comparing the Standard and CNC 7-Piece Fly Rod Kits
Wild Water offers two 7-piece kits at different accessory levels. Both come with identical parts, and the difference lies on the reel construction, fly count, and what ships with them.
Standard Fly Fishing Kit | $114
The Standard Fly Fishing Kit is the right starting point for most travel anglers, down from $200. The 4.0-oz IM8 graphite rod breaks into 7 sections of 17.25 inches each and ships in a 21.5-inch hard tube case sized for carry-on luggage and trail packs. The 85mm die cast aluminum reel has an adjustable disc drag and a 9' 5X leader already installed, testing at 4.0 lb.
Nine flies cover three proven patterns:
- Black Winged Ant (x3, size 12) for surface fishing through the summer terrestrial season
- Parachute Adams (x3, size 12) for mayfly hatches and general attractor use year-round
- Tungsten Bead Head Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph (x3, size 12) for subsurface trout fishing year-round.
The kit also includes a line nipper with nail knot tool, retractable zinger, and one spare leader.
CNC Fly Reel Fly Fishing Kit | $148
The CNC Fly Reel Fly Fishing Kit uses the same rod and case as the Standard, down from $275. The upgrade is the reel. The 85mm CNC machined reel is cut from a solid block of 6061 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum with stainless steel internal components, producing tighter tolerances and smoother drag under sustained load than die cast construction. It ships with dual-color (peach/olive) welded loop fly line for easier visibility on the water.
Fly count doubles to 18, with six of each pattern: Black Winged Ant, Parachute Adams, and Tungsten Bead Head GRHE Nymph, all size 12. The kit also adds a 30-meter 5X tippet spool (4.4 lb test), 6-inch stainless forceps for hook removal, and two spare leaders.
The $34 premium over the Standard recovers immediately. The tippet spool, forceps, and extra nine flies account for roughly $27.50 of that difference before the first resupply.
Wild Water's lifetime rod warranty covers both rods. Send it back with a $35 processing fee for repair or replacement if it breaks.
Is a 7-Piece Fly Rod Kit Right for You
The 7-piece rod is ideal if your fishing involves a flight, extended time on the trail, or any situation where a 28-inch case doesn't fit.
Whereas a 4-piece rod breaks down to 28 inches, fitting comfortably in most car trunks and travel bags, the 7-piece breaks down to 21.5 inches. It is short enough for a carry-on bag, a multi-day backpacking trip, or under a motorcycle seat. A 7 or 8-weight setup also gives you more authority if you plan to target pike, steelhead, or fish in heavier open water.
Why Buy the Kit Instead of Piecing It Together
Pricing fly fishing gear out component by component takes time and the parts often arrive mismatched. All the items (7-piece 5-weight IM8, pre-spooled die cast reel with fly line, backing, leaders, 21.5-inch hard tube rod case, waterproof fly box, 9-fly Standard assortment, retractable zinger, and nail knot) add up to a separate total of around $204. And this comes before you have put anything together.
The Standard Kit saves you roughly $90, and everything arrives matched, pre-spooled, and ready to fish from the first cast. For a full comparison of what Wild Water includes at each price point across its starter lineup, see the best fly fishing starter kits guide.
The CNC Kit adds a machined aluminum reel, 18 flies, a 30-meter tippet spool, 6-inch stainless forceps, and a second spare leader. Priced separately, the CNC kit adds up to around $238 in other stores. Our CNC Kit is $148, a savings of roughly $90.
Call us at (585) 967-3474 for more information. Our team has been rigging these kits since 2006 and can point you to the right one in about two minutes. All orders ship free from New York.