Overview

The Solution is the freshwater fly rod Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) puts at the top of its lineup. It arrived in 2024 as a step up from TFO's entry-level rods, and it is aimed at anglers whose casting has outgrown their first rod and who want a blank that keeps working as the distance stretches past 60 feet.

TFO builds the Solution on a higher grade of high modulus graphite than it usually uses, with a moderate-fast taper that loads quickly and recovers fast. The blank is left unsanded under a clear coat, and it carries REC Black Pearl recoil guides, smoke anodized double foot snake guides, premium cork and a wooden reel seat on the 3 to 6 wt models. Every Solution is 4-piece and ships with a rod sock and tube. We carry seven models, from an 8' 3 wt to two 9' 6 wts.

Which Solution Should You Choose?

Small brushy streams, panfish and delicate dry flies: TF 03 80 4 SN (8' 3 wt).

Technical trout streams, tight quarters and light nymph rigs: TF 04 86 4 SN (8'6" 4 wt).

A light all-round trout rod for dries and nymphs: TF 04 90 4 SN (9' 4 wt).

One rod for most trout water, from dries to light streamers: TF 05 90 4 SN (9' 5 wt).

Indicator nymphing from a drift boat, where extra length helps line control: TF 05 96 4 SN (9'6" 5 wt).

Wind and bigger streamers with a standard full wells grip: TF 06 90 4 SN (9' 6 wt, Handle B).

Streamers and bigger flies with a fighting butt to brace against: TF 06 91 4 SN (9' 6 wt with the fighting butt, Handle C).

TFO Solution Specs

TFO Solution Models

TF 03 80 4 SN - 8' 3 wt

The lightest and shortest Solution, about 2.4 oz per TFO. The 8' length keeps casts tidy under overhanging brush, and a 3 wt lands small dries softly and makes panfish and small-stream trout fun to fight. It has the Handle A half wells grip and a wooden reel seat.

Best for: brushy creeks, small-stream trout, panfish, small dry flies.

Line pairing: A 3 wt weight-forward or double-taper floating trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Creek Trout (WF3F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout GP (WF3F).

TF 04 86 4 SN - 8'6" 4 wt

A short, light 4 wt for technical trout streams, where accuracy at short and middle range matters more than distance. It weighs about 2.6 oz per TFO and has the Handle A half wells grip, as listed in TFO's spec table.

Best for: technical trout streams, dry flies, light nymph rigs.

Line pairing: A 4 wt weight-forward floating trout line with a delicate front taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF4F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF4F).

TF 04 90 4 SN - 9' 4 wt

The 9' 4 wt covers general trout water with a lighter touch than a 5 wt: dries and emergers on long leaders, plus dry-dropper and nymph rigs. About 2.8 oz per TFO, with the Handle B full wells grip.

Best for: general trout fishing, dries and nymphs, lighter tippets.

Line pairing: A 4 wt weight-forward floating trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF4F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF4F).

TF 05 90 4 SN - 9' 5 wt

TFO calls the 9' 5 wt the workhorse of the series and its most versatile model. It handles dries, nymph rigs and light streamers on most rivers and lakes, which makes it the safe pick if you want one trout rod. About 2.9 oz per TFO, with the Handle B full wells grip.

Best for: one rod for most trout water, dries, nymphing, light streamers.

Line pairing: A 5 wt weight-forward floating trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the RIO Elite Gold (WF5F).

TF 05 96 4 SN - 9'6" 5 wt

The extra 6 inches give more reach for lifting and steering line, which is why TFO points this model at indicator nymphing from a drift boat. It weighs about 3.0 oz per TFO and has the Handle B full wells grip.

Best for: indicator nymphing, float trips, bigger rivers.

Line pairing: A 5 wt weight-forward floating trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the RIO Elite Gold (WF5F).

TF 06 90 4 SN - 9' 6 wt

The 6 wt with the standard Handle B full wells grip and no fighting butt. A 6 wt pushes through wind and turns over bigger streamers and heavier nymph rigs, while staying light at about 3.0 oz per TFO.

Best for: windy days, bigger streamers, heavier nymph rigs.

Line pairing: A 6 wt weight-forward floating line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF6F).

TF 06 91 4 SN - 9' 6 wt

The second 9' 6 wt, with the Handle C grip: full wells cork plus a fighting butt. TFO calls it the beefier handle for streamers and bigger flies; the butt gives you a brace point when a bigger fish pulls. About 3.4 oz per TFO.

Best for: streamer fishing, bigger flies, a fighting butt for longer fights.

Line pairing: A 6 wt weight-forward floating line built to turn over bigger flies. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF6F).

Solution vs Other TFO Fly Rods

TFO places the Solution at the top of its freshwater lineup, and reviewers describe it as a step up from TFO's entry-level rods. For other TFO freshwater rods, see the TFO Blue Ribbon, the TFO LK Legacy, the TFO Pro III and the TFO Dispatch. The Solution is a freshwater rod; for the flats, look at the TFO Moment and the TFO Mangrove Coast.

TFO Solution FAQ

What action is the Solution?

Moderate-fast, per TFO. Some retailers call it medium-fast, which means the same thing.

What do Handle A, B and C mean?

They are TFO's three Solution grips. Handle A is a half wells cork grip (the 8' 3 wt and 8'6" 4 wt), Handle B is a full wells cork grip (the 9' 4 wt, 9' 5 wt, 9'6" 5 wt and the TF 06 90 4 SN 9' 6 wt), and Handle C is a full wells grip with a fighting butt (the TF 06 91 4 SN 9' 6 wt).

Does it come with a case?

Yes. Each Solution ships with a rod sock and a rod tube.

What is the warranty?

TFO backs the Solution with its Full Lifetime Warranty, which covers breakage from defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the registered owner. Accidents and normal wear are not covered free, but TFO repairs or replaces those rods for a replacement fee.

Which weight should I choose?

The 9' 5 wt for most trout fishing. The 8' 3 wt or 8'6" 4 wt for small and technical streams, the 9' 4 wt for a lighter all-round rod, the 9'6" 5 wt for nymphing from a boat, and a 9' 6 wt for wind, streamers and bigger fish.