[Simon Bruce]

Looking for a new 5# rod. After looking through some of my fishing stuff i seem to be a bit of Greys collector rods/reels/waders etc.

So looking for something different.

Could anybody recommend any of the below.

Hardy Zenith Sintrix 9
Sage tcx
Loomis classic GLX
Orvis access mid flex

Any other recommendations greatly received.

Regards

Simon

[Hamish Young]

I recommend all of them - that way you will be spoilt for choice 

H

[Rob Brownfield]

I would recomend none of them, get a 6 foot 2-5g spinning rod

[Sandy Nelson]

Hi Bud

Depends what you want it to do and how you like your rods, they can all be reccomended as could most things these days
If you are looking to check a few out, pick your favourite 5wt line and take it with you to somewhere you can cast some, i know its easier said than done, but Glasgow has a pool (of sorts ) Ben has the field out at banchory
I'd add the Scott S4 and the new Loomis NRX LP to your list too, as superb all rounders (no-one in the UK has an LP to try out though, except maybe Me )
I've been on a lifetime quest to find the ideal 5wt. They are all different and it very much depends what suits you and what you want to do with it.
 
for example the New Sage Circa is a Dryfly rod and beautifully smooth and controllable but is no distance machine, it tops out about 60ft for comfort but up close it is brilliant and possibly the nicest fishing blank sage have done for a while, it has the ability to present a fly really delicately but it doesn't deal with a decent breeze very well, so is a great rod for fair weather days and all sizes of dryfly, but will struggle on a breezy April day or if you want to throw a size 8 Woolley bugger. But then that could just be me and my limitations

I guess budget comes into it too. The yellowstone anglers review for 2013 is all about 5wts and it makes for i nteresting reading if you want somewhere to start.http://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review/2013-5-weight-shootout-g-loomis-nrx-lp-loop-optistream-hardy-zenith-hardy-artisan-tom-morgan-sage-circa-orvis-helios-2-greys-xf2
But again it is subjective, the only to find out is to try a few.

Cheers

Sandy

[Rob Brownfield]

i seem to be a bit of Greys collector rods/reels/waders etc.

Nothing wrong with that and if you look at that link Sandy put up you will see the Greys XF2 came 7th= beating Sage Ones, Scotts, Burkheimers and so on. Even the "lowly" GRXi out performed a Loomis, Scott and Winstons.

So, just because it carries a high price and a fancy name, it does not make it a better rod by a long way.

BUT, it is all down to you. I have an old Orvis Zero Gravity that was replaced by Orvis by the Helios and then the Helios 2. Although I like the Helios (and have a 9 weight), as a 5 weight I much prefer the older Zero Gravity, despite being 3 generations old. I have the 4 weight version of the same rod, and I would say that is even better. Others (especially Ben when he is trying to sell me a Helios 2) will say I am mad. But that rod suits me perfectly.

Add to that the Harrison Lohric on a custom build and you have a rod at a third of the price of the rods you listed but some would say, a far superior fishing rod.

Who knows? 

[Simon Bruce]

Thanks H.,Sandy and Rob

Just looking for a great all rounder that i can use in different conditions. Fishing spiders/drys/nymphs/wets
Would buy the lot if i could but  have a budget between £300 & £600.
Will try and go in by and see Ben on friday and maybe try out a few rods as am out that way for my weekly fishing.