Redington Butter Stick Fly Rod with Tube, 3WT 7'0" 4PC (370-4) Review (2026)
Updated September 20, 2026 · Research-based review
Our verdict
The Redington Butter Stick is a modern take on classic fiberglass, with T-glass construction and a slow, medium action built for short, accurate casts on small trout creeks. Its soft feel takes adjustment for casters used to fast graphite, but it is a fun tool for close-quarters brook trout fishing, backed by a lifetime warranty.
Redington Butter Stick 3WT 7'0" 4PC rod with a tube, a slow, playful rod for small trout creeks.
Price range: $ (Budget)
What we liked
- + Soft Butter Stick action makes small brook trout feel exciting
- + 7'0" length is ideal for short, accurate casts under trees
- + Included tube protects the rod on hikes and in the car
Trade-offs
- - Slow action takes adjustment for casters used to fast graphite rods
- - Not the right tool for windy lakes or large river fish
A fiberglass rod for a specific joy
The Butter Stick uses what Redington calls T-glass construction, aiming to deliver the strength and improved casting feel of modern fiberglass while keeping the heritage design and classic medium action casting stroke that fiberglass fans specifically seek out. It is a 3-weight, 7'0", 4-piece rod priced at roughly $330, finished in a semi-translucent Sunshine Yellow blank that is instantly recognizable on the water. This is not a rod trying to compete with fast graphite blanks on distance or wind-cutting power; it is built around the deliberately slower, more feel-oriented casting style that drew anglers to fiberglass in the first place.
Built for small water
At 7'0" and 3-weight, the Butter Stick is sized for tight, brushy small streams and creeks where long casts are rarely needed and a short rod is easier to maneuver under overhanging branches. Redington positions it around giving slightly more reach without overpowering the small native trout that live in that kind of water, which is a fair description of what this length and line weight combination is built to do. It is not intended for larger rivers or fish, and would feel underpowered for that kind of fishing, since both the short length and light line rating limit how much pressure it can put on a bigger fish during a fight.
Componentry
The rod features a traditional half-wells cork handle, a cork reel seat with a threaded lock nut to keep the reel secure, and alignment dots on the blank to help correctly line up the guides when assembling the four sections. It comes with a durable Cordura rod case for storage and transport. These are classic, fiberglass-appropriate touches rather than the aluminum reel seats and carbon fiber components found on modern graphite rods, which fits the rod's throwback design intent rather than reading as a cost-cutting shortcut. The semi-translucent yellow blank finish is also a deliberate callback to vintage glass rods rather than a modern graphite look.
Adjusting to a slower action
Anglers coming from fast-action graphite rods will need to slow their casting stroke down considerably to load this rod properly, since its medium, fiberglass-inspired action loads earlier and requires more patience through the cast. That adjustment period is part of the appeal for many fiberglass fans, who describe the resulting casting feel as more connected to the rod and more rewarding on small fish that would feel unremarkable on a stiff graphite blank. For anglers unwilling to slow down and relearn timing, this will feel like a step backward rather than a fun change of pace.
Who this rod is for
The Butter Stick suits an angler who specifically fishes small streams and creeks for native or wild trout and wants a rod that makes modest fish feel exciting, or an experienced caster looking to add a fun, slower rod to their lineup. It is backed by a lifetime warranty, adding some peace of mind for a rod that will see plenty of close encounters with brush and rocks. It is a poor choice for windy lakes, large rivers, or anyone who wants a single do-everything rod, where a faster, longer graphite rod would serve better. As a second or third rod dedicated to small water, though, it fills a niche that most graphite-only anglers do not realize they are missing.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of water is the Redington Butter Stick built for?
It is designed for small, brushy trout creeks and streams, where its short 7'0" length and slow action suit short, accurate casts rather than long-distance fishing.
Is the Butter Stick a real fiberglass rod?
It uses Redington's T-glass construction, a modern fiberglass approach built to give the classic slow, feel-oriented casting stroke fiberglass fans look for.
Will a graphite rod caster struggle with the Butter Stick?
There is an adjustment period, since the slower action requires a more patient casting stroke than a fast graphite rod, but most anglers adapt within a session or two.
Does the Redington Butter Stick come with a warranty?
Yes, it carries a lifetime warranty, and it ships with a durable Cordura rod case for storage.
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