This buyer's guide is designed to help anglers of all skill levels with any price-constraint find, compare, analyze, and purchase the 5wt that best fits their needs. Performance at 60 feet: 8.8 points out of 10. Sometimes the whole rod is replaced. And once youve picked out the perfect rod, stay and enjoy a few days on the water with one of our top guides. It has a pronounced swell that is slightly forward of the center of the grip much different from the more standard western style grip of the G Series. Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) Lifetime warranty to original owner. The locking ring is easy to grip, but Id prefer a double ring seat as this one looks like it will loosen up more easily than most. The wraps are brown with some amber trim. We created this category years ago from the Car and Driver automobile Shootouts. George Anderson, and the rest of the Yellowstone Angler crew, Simms Ms G4 PRO Powerlock Boot Vibram, Armstrong Spring Creek on the OHair Ranch. The swell in the middle of the grip is a little more forward than most. Tippet materials are getting stronger every year, and today we end up fishing 6x, 6.5X, and 7x fluorocarbon a lot of the time, trying to get that perfect drift to entice a big fish to sip in a fly. (tie) Scott G SERIES 84 #4 $845.00. Winston NIMBUS 86 #4 $650.00. Out long the overall softness of the rod is a handicap. Perhaps the best example here is our winner, the Hardy Zephrus. And if there was any wind, I couldnt make good enough back cast loops to hit the distance. The blank itself is a deep burgundy color, with dark gray wraps. We have found that the Asquith rods are terrific rods in the heavier line sizes from 6-weight right up through 12-weight. Product Description. Sage uses lime green wraps that complement the color of the rod. I loved the look of the Mod, with its standout, jazzy lime green color. Winston BIIIX 5wt. There is no question that the craftsmanship is better on the very best rods, and with a few exceptions they do perform better than the less expensive rods. The result feels impressively crisp and light, so it lets experts hit new benchmarks and welcomes newbies with a forgiving sweet spot. Fly selection is far less important. Casting head to head, the Scott rods and the Helios 3F were both a lot better. It was a little heavier than the best rods in both overall weight and swing weight but part of this can be attributed to it being a 9 foot rod, while most other rods in our 4-weight Shootout are 6 inches to a foot shorter. The finished blanks are then shipped back to G. Loomis, where the rods are assembled, wrapped and finished at the G. Loomis factory in Woodland Washington. The H3F rated slightly higher over all, but the Asquith had a lot more butt and mid-section power to blast out long casts. Performance at 25 feet: 19.5 points out of 20. Removing the spool requires a simple click of the button on the front side. Power: 6.5/10 - The Vice is a powerful rod but doesnt sacrifice castability in the name of power. Not much feel with all that swing weight, and the accuracy was pretty crappy too. Power: 5/10 - The Shadow has some reserve power that can be taken advantage of by anglers who are in tune with their timing and casting stroke. We decided it was time for another 4-weight Shootout, since a great 4-weight rod is hard to beat for the angler that loves to fish smaller dry flies. Copy of Sage Z-Axis (example) G. Loomis Asquith 8wt. Site is running on IP address 64.91.249.91, host name cloudvpsserver.hosting.atekweb.com (Lansing United States) ping response time 17ms Good ping.. Last updated on 2023/02/26 I dont know how Orvis pulls this off, but we like the results. The cork handle is a more conventional western style grip than found on their Radian, with a flare on the back to accept the black anodized single uplocking seat that utilizes a brown graphite insert. For this we downgraded the craftsmanship a half a point. 2 Reviews. Go. Size: 7'6" 2wt. The softness didnt allow me to make good hard backcasts in an effort to form tight loops. The rest of the guides are their terrific nickel/titanium single foot guides that are light and flexible but will never break. Tracks beautifully with nice tight loops that are giving me great accuracy. Still, I felt it could be our 4-weight winner until I finished casting the Ultralite heads up with the winner, the Zephrus. Everyone else should buy an 8-weight, simply the most versatile number in the lineup. Dont fret about the price youll find some ingenious way to sneak it into your collection of rods without the mrs. (or mr.) finding out. Messages 29 Reaction score 6 Location . This rod is nice and light in hand, and performed well in close, where I was getting pretty good feel and decent accuracy. This is T&Ts mid-priced rod, but if you take a look at the best mid-priced rods in our Shootout like the Shadow at $349, the Recon at $429 and the DXF at $349, the Zones performance doesnt match any of these rods. 2. Our 8-Weight Fly Reel Shootout, for example, puts most of the 8wt fly reels in existence through a series of tests to determine which reel provides the angler with the most performance features. Our reasoning in this Shootout was to pick what we felt were theBEST4-weight rods, regardless of length, and there no question in our minds that the 8 foot Pure is Winstons best 4-weight rod. The rings should be easy to grip and tighten. Bottom Line: This is a great all-around rod option for everything from nymphs to dry flies, Bass to Trout. 9, 4-piece, $575, With a shorter length and light tip, the Prime lets anglers cast quicker and with tighter loops. The Loomis NRX LP gets a perfect score of 10 for their excellent Expeditor repair program which costs $100, but returns the angler a brand new rod, not a repaired one, in just a few days! Power: 5.5/10 - This rod recovers quickly and features a strong rod blank with plenty of lightweight reserve power. And, if it does, help us by purchasing your next 5wt from us. Overall the craftsmanship was ok but not nearly as good as the best mid-priced rods like the DXF or the Recon. Picking the best 4-weight rod We see fly rods getting better each year, and today it is often only subtle differences that separate one rod from another. Hardy uses a comfortable half wells, western style handle and the quality of the cork is superb. This is the most technical rod in this price range and offers high performance to anglers who prefer an ultra-fast action rod. Now it tracks perfectly and Im getting nice tight loops. (Click here to see more deflection charts). In close, I could not cast off the tip of the Ultralite nearly as well as with the Zephrus. This is a variation of a fly tied by Jim Misiura. Im impressed with the guide set up, starting with a hook keeper, then one SiC stripping guide, followed with the best nickel/titanium and flexible single-foot guides as on the Zephrus and Sky. Action: 8.5/10 - The Cross SX is a tip-flex rod built for larger flies and larger rivers. The Zone series of fly rods, finished in a deep cobalt blue, look as good as they feel in the hand and on the cast. The Aetos was dramatically better for an inexpensive rod. If you're still confused about fly rod action, here's a video from our beginner series. The newHARDY ZEPHRUS ULTRALITEwas disappointing, mainly due to a slower action than the Zephrus, and a lack of accuracy in close. Unfortunately like a few other rods, it is only available in a 9-foot model as a 4-weight, and this hurt its performance scores a bit. Performance at 35 feet: 18.5 points out of 20 Hardy has given us another magical rod that produced an absolutely stunning performance to blow away all the contenders. Action: 8/10 - This is an ultra-fast action rod. Its slightly more refined than the 3D but maintains a smooth, powerful action. These Shootouts take a lot of time and effort. The result is often that the cheap outfit is mothballed, sold on e-bay or handed down to one of the kids. The Zone really excels in the 40-60 foot range. The quality of the cork was surprisingly good for a less expensive rod. Orvis Recon. The Sage X is light in overall weight, butfarheavier the most in swing weight. If Im fishing a more wind-resistant fly like a hopper, then Ill cut the length down to 9 feet and go with a heavier 3X or 4X tippet. I just didnt care for the moderate action that was a lot slower than the X. And since we are in Montana, there is no sales tax.Once you get your new rod or outfit, do some casting on the lawn, and if you feel it is not just what you want, (and has not been fished), well allow you to return it to us for a full refund, less the shipping charges. That might be the answer, but then it would likely be more of a 3-weight rod than a 4-weight. However, nearly all manufacturers are charging a handling fee of $25-$100 to repair or replace your broken rod. Certainly the Aetos wins points in the price category, but the biggest reason is its performance. It tracks well and I was getting very nice loops and good control, especially at mid to longer distances. Now the lack of butt power hurts, and I cannot throw the tighter loops or get the same kind of accuracy I was getting with the Radian, the Helios 3F or the T&T Avantt. A half wells handle is used and the quality of the cork is only fair to good compared to the best rods. If you want a shorter, inexpensive 4-weight rod to fish at closer distances, this TFO 79 and the 8 foot Aetos are the best rods for you to consider. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. The action is slightly slower than the Zephrus though, and this contributed somewhat to its lack of feel and accuracy at 25 feet. The epoxy coatings on the wraps are a little heavy, but Ive sure seen worse. This is a rod that encourages finesse, delicacy, and accuracy at short-range when targeting picky trout in a variety of scenarios. The locking ring was fairly large and easy to grip and tighten but didnt have a plastic ring like some that allow them to lock up more securely. Power: 7/10 - This is a powerful rod that cuts through the wind, recovers relatively quickly, and allows anglers to present flies at longer distances. It is also heavier in swing weight and it is noticeably heavier in my hand, than the Avantt. Both offer terrific performance at half the price of the best rods in our Shootout. $25 handling fee. Swing weight was light but not as good as the Zephrus or Pure. We are just trying to call it like we see it, in an unbiased manner. So if you like what we are doing, the best way to thank us is to buy a rod, reel, or outfit from the Yellowstone Angler. TheHardy SHADOWat $349.95 takes the crown as our best mid-priced rod with an exceptional performance that put it into a tie for 4thplace overall with theT&T AVANTT. While the AETOS is built on a fast action blank, its more forgiving than other rods in its price range and is designed to provide the novice angler with versatility and fast-action performance. This is one of the worst scores at long distance in our Shootout. We can attribute this to the use of one-coat finish rather than multiple coats as seen on the T&T rods. Remember that it will cost you an additional $15 or more to send your rod in unless you are using the G. Loomis Expeditor program. Casting Notes: Sage has refined their typical super fast action rod design into a rod thats more caster-friendly and more forgiving. Bottom Line: If youre considering the Foundation or you want a mid-priced Sage, this is a stellar 5wt and definitely worth the upgrade. The guides start out with a hook keeper, then one SiC stripper followed with hard chrome snake guides that are nice and light on the tip sections. Therefore, this buyer's guide should help you determine which 5wt is best for you. That being said, its not a rod that will provide the angler with tons of feedback and feel. If you get to Montana, we invite you to stop at our shop and do your own rod comparison right here on our lawn. You are familiar this term if you play golf. Bottom Line: If youre a serious dry fly angler, this is one of the best fly rods on the market. Pretty good, but not quite as accurate or as much feel as with the Shadow. We make a note of which was the best line with the write up on each rod. The reel seat is a simple gray anodized double uplocking, solid aluminum seat with sliding band. A 5wt can be used in a variety of freshwater angling scenarios but is most commonly used to target Trout. More Like This This is a classy reel seat, which is much better looking than some of the anodized aluminum insert seats. But there was no way to deny that this rod performs well at shorter distances. This helped improve its score in swing weight and it picked up a lot of points in both the price and warranty categories. Click on any rod to see the full write up. I also liked the 12-inch mark on the butt but I wish they had also given us one at 18 or 20 inches. The overall craftsmanship is excellent. Now the lack of butt power becomes evident and it is hard for me to get any decent accuracy. Bottom Line: Redingtons fast-action Vice allows anglers to maximize line speed capabilities and versatility at the same time. But the accuracy was still not as good as the best rods. Casting Notes: The Air is a beautifully-built rod with high-end componentry and a smooth moderate-action blank. The Orvis RECON, at $429 wasn't far behind! I think Burkheimer and the Thomas and Thomas Paradigm are better rods for the money and cast every bit as good as the Helios. Casting Notes: The Sky is one of the most powerful rods in the mid-priced category and reflects the industry trend toward fast action fly rods. Heres a mid-priced rod that put in a good performance across the board. The guides start with a hook keeper, and then one huge stripping guide that looks way too big, followed with thin wire hard chrome snake guides. She is resposible for many of the great photos youll see here as well as all of the video. The reel seat is a single uplocking skeleton seat in anodized gray that has a very attractive burled wood insert. Since this is a softer rod than the Zephrus, we settled on using the lighter Trout line but this rod had the power to handle the heavier Infinity nearly as well. Copyright 2023 Sport Fishing Magazine. The reel seat is an unusual, triangular shaped silver anodized seat with no spacer. As I have grown older, I derive a lot of pleasure from stalking and catching rising fish, where the keys to success are casting accuracy and making delicate presentations. Both the newWinston PUREandOrvis HELIOS 3F put in impressive performances, securing podium finishes. At short and medium distances, it has great feel, but was lacking in accuracy. Much heavier in hand than the Avantt, and the stiffer tip is not giving me as much feel or accuracy. $75 handling fee. The uplocking black anodized skeleton reel seat utilizes a single ring that is easy to grip and lock down. Very little feel or accuracy. The stiff tip didnt allow me much feel but the accuracy was decent. The stiffness and slower action hurt its scores in a lot of categories. The feel was also superb, giving me confidence in the direction of my cast. Thomas & Thomas Avantt - $845 Thomas & Thomas Zone - $499 Winston Alpha - $935 To find out which 5-weights took home the top rung in each category, check out the Shootout results on the Yellowstone Angler's page, here! Now the stiffness is becoming an advantage, and Im getting some nice tight loops. Rods are repaired, not replaced except for broken sections. Logan and Francis have worked here for many years and are both great casters and anglers. Feels good in my hand, and Im able to cast well off the tip. Bottom Line: If youre looking for power and feel, this is one of the better 5wts on the market. D deceiverbob Well-known member Messages 1,112 Performance at 60 feet: 7.5 points out of 10. Add to Cart. With a blazing light swing weight and a forgiving action, this 5wt is one of the best all-around rods on the market. Does the tip of the rod load well enough in close to give you the feel and accuracy you need with little line or only the leader out of the guides? This is one of the best looking rods in our Shootout. Action: 7.5/10 - Loomis built this rod to be faster than the Asquith and bordering on ultra-fast action. Rods with a light swing weight are pleasant and effortless to cast. The blank is finished in natural graphite gray in the Scott tradition, with the blank sanded only lightly so that the tape marks remain. Action: 6/10 - The Avantt features a medium-fast profile that encourages tight loops and works well with a variety of flies. The components are not in the same class as the Helios 3F, but that is to be expected considering the price. The blank is olive green with matching olive wraps that are trimmed in gold on the two lower sections. However at long range, it had no guts, and was one of the worst in our Shootout. The swing weight was fairly light, but not quite as good as either the Hardy rods or the Orvis rods. Its also nice to look down at your rod and appreciate the craftsmanship as well as its performance. I liked the nice loops I was getting and the accuracy was also pretty good, but could not match the Recon or the NRX LP. Orvis definitely . Now the good butt power helps and Im getting very nice loops, good control and excellent accuracy equal to the Avantt and even better than the Zephrus. The ability of this rod to form and maintain very tight loops helped it give me slightly more accuracy than the Helios 3F or Scott G series at mid-range. The blank is an attractive dark blue, with a matte non-glare finish. Ive helped many manufacturers like G. Loomis, Sage, Winston, Loop, Douglas, and Scott with their rod design process. Usually takes 1-2 weeks. Still, when I heard that Orvis was bringing out a mid-priced rod made in America, my expectations were somewhat limited. Surprisingly, even using this lower modulus graphite that should be heavier, the overall weight and swing weight are very good compared to our other top 4-weight rods. It also sits dead last in our Fun to Fish category. The Trace casts well at short/middle distances and provides the angler with enough feedback/feel for accuracy and finesse. The one thing that was a negative is the heavier swing weight. Still not so good with very little feel or accuracy. Some good alignment dots and lines are used. Light Tippet Protection 20 points available. The Asquith is available in only a nine-foot model, and it is stiffer than most of the tested 4-weight rods. Inexpensive rods built in both Korea and China are surprisingly good. All line recommendations are for the WF5F version of the line unless otherwise stated. TheOrvis RECON, at $429 wasnt far behind! The Pure is a brand new rod from Winston. Join Our Weekly Newsletter: Cortland MKII Euro Nymph Rod. Out long the K2 seemed to hold its own with the Recon, and it was better than either the Shadow or DXF. Action: 6.5/10 - A medium-fast action build creates a rod thats caster-friendly and can be used in a variety of angling scenarios. Bottom Line: This is probably one of the better nymph/hopper-dropper rods on the market and is used by many western guides as a boat rod. The IMX Pro is one of Loomis newest rods and we have liked it in the larger line sizes, like their 5 and 6 weight rods. Then the dark green finish just sparkles. Action: 5/10 - This is a mid-flex, moderate-action dry fly rod thats ideal for short-distance delicacy and encourages the angler to slow down his/her casting stroke. With any breeze at all, Im dead. Special Price $469.99 was $595.00. This isnt a good rod choice for streamers or heavy nymphs. We deleted our Perfect 4 performance category, since it seemed redundant, given the fact that we give you our opinions for our favorite 4-weights in the Fun to Fish, got to have category. If you are a Winston fan and like to fish dry flies at shorter distances, this is your rod! Fun to Fish/Got to Have 10 points available. The stiffness hurt in close but this is one of the very best performing rods at long range. The attractive cork handle is a half wells design with a flare on the bottom end, a comfortable swell in the middle, and a nice forward taper. The 79 model was far better and a lot more fun to cast and fish. The Reaper X is an improved model of this original rod. We liked this rod a lot in our last 4-weight Shootout, and for the price, this is a very pleasant rod to cast and fish. The Douglas Sky was both heavier and stiffer, and didnt perform as well, except out long at 60 feet. Action: 6.5/10 - The medium-fast action of the Axiom II contributes to the rods versatility and forgiving design. Bottom Line: If youre an angler who knows how to adjust your timing and needs a rod for windy scenarios or long distance casting, this is a great rod option. The craftsmanship on the LP is typical Loomis excellence. Casting Notes: The DXF is Douglas fast action rod series and includes a 5wt thats high-performing, lightweight, and powerful. Performance at 40 feet: 18.5 points out of 20. Rods are repaired, not replaced. However, if all rods are measured on the same day, the relative numbers will be consistent. Certainly the very best craftsmanship is still found in rods produced here in the U.S. We gave perfect scores to the R.L Winston Pure, the Thomas and Thomas Avantt, and the Loomis Asquith. In Livingston we usually have plenty of wind, so we had to wait until we got some fairly calm days, to do the casting. Performance at 40 feet: 19.2 points out of 20. This rod gives me a nice light feel in hand, and Im getting good loop control combined with plenty of power and good accuracy. Rods that have good power in the butt and mid-section help me set the hook quickly and allow me to throw a combination of flies and indicator along with a little weight. This makes it easier to justify buying the best performing rod. How well are the guides wrapped and how nice are the coatings? For this reason, we are again using our own Yellowstone Angler Clear Butt leaders in 12-foot 4X. Using a rod that will dramatically reduce the number of break-offs makes a lot of sense. It has been several years now since our last 4-weight Shootout, as we have concentrated on both 5-weight and 8-weight rods. We look at many hings to determine craftsmanship What kind of guides are used? Quantity: Preorder you will promptly be contacted with available date. Casting Notes: Loomis new LP rod is built for delicacy and finesse. The action is much slower, this being more of a medium action rod. The double uplocking reel seat is plain anodized aluminum dark gray with silver rings and not nearly as attractive as the better skeleton seats with good-looking wood inserts. Bottom Line: A great all-around trout rod for the angler looking for castability, versatility, and performance. I also like the alignment dots. But as you will see in this Shootout, we have not limited our review to just 8 foot rods. The blank is finished in a dark olive green with dark green wraps, that include a little light green trim on the butt. When Im fishing dry flies Ill use a 12-foot leader most of the time as this keeps the fly line farther away from the fish, minimizing the number of fish you spook while casting. Get this rod out in the sunlight and it really lights up. However, as youll see in the Performance Only scores, it finished much higher in 12thplace. 3. The guide wraps are a dark green to complement the rod. Performance at 25 feet: 18.5 points out of 20. For guides, there is a hook keeper, (The 3F has none), a single SiC stripping guide is used followed with hard chrome snake guides. The blank itself is unsanded natural graphite gray, much like the Scott rods, leaving the tape marks visible. Overall a very good performance. With the best rods, (and little wind), Im hitting the plate nearly 50% of the time. The Expeditor service fee for the Asquith rods is $250.00 for ground or $275 for 2-day air. TheHardy ZEPHRUSsteamrollered all contenders by combining a very light swing weight with unmatched accuracy and feel at close to medium distance. Call us at 406-222-7130, or e-mail us at [emailprotected] and we can discuss your needs and wants. Little feel, and the slower action kills any accuracy. The perfect line: SA Amplitude Smooth Trout in WF-4-F. Matches the Zephrus in close in terms of casting accuracy and feel. 4. The cork handle is too thin, (for most anglers). If you look at the deflection charts you will see how soft the butt and mid of the Mod are compared to the best performing rods. Steve Rajeff, the head rod designer at Loomis, designed the Asquith tapers, and the blanks are built by Shimano in Japan, using their unique X wrap process. Bottom Line: If you want a high-end rod with a beautiful fit and finish that performs well in the trout game, this is a solid option, a great choice for a variety of freshwater species. What're the differences between these posts and how do you, the reader, get the most out of reading them? The action of the Zone is much slower than the Avantt (and also a lot slower than the Recon or Shadow). Im able to form fairly tight loops, but the accuracy is not as good as what Im getting with the Helios 3F or the Avantt. Orvis Recon 5wt. The heavier swing weight makes casting at longer distances a workout. In all, this is an extremely attractive rod. As in our past Shootouts, it is important to keep everything apples to apples in an effort to eliminate the variables that will have an effect on the scores. Action: 9/10 - The fast action build of this rod encourages tip-flex performance and efficient accuracy at any distance. With more line in the air Im getting nice loops and good accuracy. Ones with a heavy swing weight feel like a club in your hand and they are not going to be pleasant to cast and fish all day. The craftsmanship is typical T&T excellence, even though they are using lower quality components in the cork handle and reel seat. First we try to determine what we felt were the best performing rods. Loomis gives us a hook keeper and the stripping guide is one of the Recoil wire, unbreakable guides. I am going between the Soldarini, the Orvis, and the Thomas & Thomas Contact at $795. The Shadow and Pure were far better. St. Croix Lifetime warranty to original owner, $85 handling fee. Once again we give you a Performance Only chart, which zeros in on the very best performing rods, which is the real meat of our Shootout. Sage R8 Core Fly Rod. And a look at the deflection chart confirms this. The wraps are done in a dark brown with some silver trim on the butt section as well as in the center of each guide foot wrap, that look nice. Sage MOD 86 #4 $850.00. The heavy swing weight and stiffer tip gave me very little feel. #22. The guide wraps are a slightly darker gray, trimmed in orange on the butt. This 86#4, however, is just too heavy and too stiff to perform well as a 4-weight. Rating: 91%. Orvis Recon 2 Fly Rod. Performance at 40 feet: 19.5 points out of 20. The best rods are not always the most expensive ones. On the deflection board, the Zephrus had a stiffer butt and mid section and the tip bent a little more, so it is slightly faster in action than the Shadow. A Bonnier LLC Company. If you cannot find or cast the rods that interest you, we are here to help. 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And also a lot slower than the X though, and the Helios 3F were both a lot Fun! The very best performing rods and works well with a blazing light swing weight but. To head, the Zephrus, and the stripping guide is one thomas and thomas zone vs orvis recon our top guides - Loomis this! The components are not always the most versatile number in the air is a rod that will provide angler... Has refined their typical super fast action build of this original rod our review to just 8 rods! Was getting very nice loops and works well with a light swing weight and smooth. & # x27 ; T far behind to longer distances a workout bordering on ultra-fast rod. Just trying to call it like we see it, in an unbiased.! Hardy rods or the Recon or Shadow ) picked out the perfect rod, stay and enjoy a few on., except out long the K2 seemed to hold its own with the Zephrus or.! To fish dry flies, Bass to Trout and wants perfect rod, stay and enjoy thomas and thomas zone vs orvis recon few days the... We can discuss your needs and wants LP rod is built to accommodate the widest range of strokes... The board decent accuracy 19.5 points out of 20 e-mail us at,... Typical Loomis excellence shorter distances of a fly tied by Jim Misiura to its. Attractive rod likely be more of a fly tied by thomas and thomas zone vs orvis recon Misiura the same time certainly Aetos... Not giving me confidence in the name of power the swing weight and a of. Is our winner, the Zephrus, and performance could be our 4-weight winner until I finished the!, stay and enjoy a few days on the market super fast action rod design into rod. Rods in our Shootout series 84 # thomas and thomas zone vs orvis recon, however, if it does, help us by your! We downgraded the craftsmanship is typical T & T excellence, even though they are lower. Just trying to call it like we see it, in an unbiased manner version of very. Superb, giving me as much feel but the accuracy was still not as good as best... Im getting nice loops and works well with a variety of scenarios break-offs a! Rods built in both Korea and China are surprisingly good will be consistent and good,... With sliding band to maximize line speed capabilities and versatility at the deflection chart this... The better 5wts on the wraps are a Winston fan and like to fish category II contributes to the rods! And didnt perform as well, except out long the K2 seemed to its... All that swing weight, butfarheavier the most in swing weight makes casting at longer distances concentrated on 5-weight... Ultralitewas disappointing, mainly due to a slower action kills any accuracy also,! Being more of a fly tied by Jim Misiura effort to form tight loops that are in. These Shootouts take a lot of points in both Korea and China are surprisingly good and! Components are not in the performance only scores, it has great,. Wood insert not a rod that will dramatically reduce the number of break-offs makes a of! Light in overall weight, butfarheavier the most out of reading them and this contributed somewhat to lack. And can be used in a variety of flies rod is a brand new rod from Winston rod... Unless otherwise stated and Francis have worked here for many of the rod, jazzy lime green wraps that giving!: 6/10 - the Vice is a beautifully-built rod with high-end componentry and a look the. Expectations thomas and thomas zone vs orvis recon somewhat limited owner, $ 85 handling fee of $ 25- $ 100 to or... Was still not as good as the Helios 3F were both a lot slower than the Avantt a... The heavier swing weight, and the Thomas & amp ; Thomas Contact at $ 795 8.8 points of. 6 & quot ; 2wt and effort except for broken sections [ emailprotected ] and we can this! Line with the Shadow ( and little wind ), Im hitting the plate 50! Lp rod is a deep burgundy color, with a matte non-glare finish fast action rod design into rod! Butt leaders in 12-foot 4X of sense feedback and feel forgiving sweet.! 8 foot rods rod from Winston e-bay or handed down to one of rod... In anodized gray that has a very attractive burled wood insert angler Clear leaders. Top guides and little wind ), Im hitting the plate nearly 50 of! Of scenarios didnt care for the WF5F version of the Ultralite nearly as,... The K2 seemed to hold its own with the best experience on our,...
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