[Terry Coging]

....and half a century of inexpensive rods later, I am looking for something special 
I am going to treat myself to the best, but the best for me may not be the best for anyone else.
The most expensive will be considered along with the others.  Most fishing is done on large reservoirs. Boat and bank. Dry's and nymphs mainly, sometimes a lure. I like a crisp action rod and  often use a line weight lighter than the rod specification.  I like the rod to boss the line - not approved by most but that's my way.
Started my search this w/e at the British Fly Fair show by trying out a couple of Marryat Tactical.  A 10' 5 wt  and a 10' 4/5 wt.
Both nice smooth rods. The 4/5 was surprisingly the crisper of the two. Should have tried the 5/6 wt.
Arranged to test the new Sage X.  Any comments?

[Jeff Donovan]

Well worth checking out Steve Parkes' Atom Six website http://www.atomsix.co.uk/rods-prices/ A few years ago I purchased one of his Tachyon rods, never looked back. Built to your own specs & a service that's as good as Mike's for lines.   

[Dave Robb]

Orvis Hydros 3? 

[Sandy Nelson]

Terry

If you are looking at the top end, you will get lots of opinions. Mine for what its worth is, the Radian is still a better rod than anything else out there, but there are rods that in isolation, that probably feel almost as good for significantly less, just depends what you really want.
I'd head off to the biggest selection you can find to try a few out, if you can. (but it sounds like you have started that already)

Sandy

[Dave Robb]

Like most things in life, it’s most likely diminishing returns as you go up the price range with rods in the £250 to £400 offering best price / performance ratio.

However, most of us would probably buy a top end rod if we had the money.  Sandy is right, in isolation with no side by side test most of these rods will feel good in their own way.

[Terry Coging]

Thanks for those educated comments guys. The point about trying out rods in isolation is very valid.  Where can I try  three or four top end rods side by side though? Looked at the Atomsix website - some juicy looking stuff there but I would not buy without a try. There is no 10' #5 listed either.
It's a pity that the Marryat has no fighting butt which is important to me on a ten footer.  A ten footer is preferred  - just for that extra foot or two of dibble before lifting off.
A mate is going to let me try his 10' #5 Sage One. He swears by it and can outcast everyone in our club with it. Not looking specifically for a distance weapon though.

[Roger Hoad]

Worth looking at the Vision Onki 10'0" #6. Although rated for #6 they will also cast  a #5 well.

I purchased one of these rods a few weeks back and considering that I normally use Hardy Jet and Zephrus Sintrix rods have found the performance of this rod to be just unbelievable.

At first it appears to be a bit soft actioned but will easily put out a 20 yard+ cast with just one false cast and very little effort. It casts well in to the wind and at all distances but also bends like a proper fishing rod when playing a fish. I can not fault this rod other than two small exceptions, it doesn't have a keeper ring or line up marks. It does have a fighting Butt.

The other rod that is worth a look is the 9'6" #5 Redington Vice. Quite a tippy rod for a #5 weight but casts well and is user friendly.

Both of these rods are distributed by Guide Flyfishing so there should be no issues with After Sales Service

Roger

[Dave Robb]

You also have the guys on here who swear by the Epic glass rods (which I want next, albeit I’ve never used one, but it’s going to have to wait anyway) but I think you have to get those imported.

It is indeed difficult to test multiple rods at once, unless you can take a day or two travel to one of the big retailers who have facilities in place to let you try them out.

Read the Yellowstone anglers 5# shootout, they tend to do one every year and offer a fairly comprehensive roundup of mid to top end rods.

https://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review/2017-5-weight-shootout-fly-rod-review-best-5-weight-rod-best-fishing-pole-best-fly-rod-g-loomis-nrx-lp-scott-radian-g-loomis-asquith-t-t-avantt-thomas-and-thomas-avant-edge-by-gary-loomis-orvis-h2-covert-winston-air-sage-x

I fully expect the Helios 3 to come near the top this year.

[Allan Liddle]

....and half a century of inexpensive rods later, I am looking for something special 
I am going to treat myself to the best, but the best for me may not be the best for anyone else.
The most expensive will be considered along with the others.  Most fishing is done on large reservoirs. Boat and bank. Dry's and nymphs mainly, sometimes a lure. I like a crisp action rod and  often use a line weight lighter than the rod specification.  I like the rod to boss the line - not approved by most but that's my way.
Started my search this w/e at the British Fly Fair show by trying out a couple of Marryat Tactical.  A 10' 5 wt  and a 10' 4/5 wt.
Both nice smooth rods. The 4/5 was surprisingly the crisper of the two. Should have tried the 5/6 wt.
Arranged to test the new Sage X.  Any comments?

Marryat Tactical Pro really are something special, however so it the Marryat Tactical Bombarde, I fish this in a #7 and can say it's an excellent rod for bank and boat stillwater fishing.  Smooth, progressive and light, but has the power to work it if you need to.  Not that I am biased  but I've a review coming out soon on the Fishing Matters site  .

[Hamish Young]

Some good suggestions there and Steve Parkes rods are very good indeed. I've not tried the new Helios 3, but if it's anywhere near its predecessors that bodes well.

However, as I've seen first hand the amount of work/time/effort that's gone into their development, I'm probably going to have one of these myself https://www.mackenzieflyfishing.com/products/10ft-6-graphene-single-handed-rod which although rated a #6 and one weight over your preferred rating is a belter.
Well, the prototype was.....  ..... and I've no reason to believe it will be anything less than excellent, I hope to be trying the production model this week 
H

[Rob Brownfield]

I would go custom.  Several very nice blanks out there at a reasonable price.

[Terry Coging]

Read the Yellowstone anglers 5# shootout, they tend to do one every year and offer a fairly comprehensive roundup of mid to top end rods.

https://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review/2017-5-weight-shootout-fly-rod-review-best-5-weight-rod-best-fishing-pole-best-fly-rod-g-loomis-nrx-lp-scott-radian-g-loomis-asquith-t-t-avantt-thomas-and-thomas-avant-edge-by-gary-loomis-orvis-h2-covert-winston-air-sage-x

Thanks for that mate - very educational .

[Rob Brownfield]

very educational .

Just be careful as the extra 1 foot can alter the balance, feel and action of a rod a fair bit from the 9 footers they tested. I was looking at the Helios 3 10 foot 3 weight for bugging. Its a very different rod to the standard 9 foot rod.

However, the Yellowstone shoot outs do bring up some good points about marketing crap, the true cost of rods and finish and fittings.

[Terry Coging]

Yes Rob, the ten footer is bound to behave differently. As you say, the report highlights some things that are not mentioned in the marketing blurb. Warranties (the small print), finish and value comparisons,  etc.  The flex test comparisons were quite revealing.
Sure would like to try a G Loomis. Put me off the Sage X a bit but will still try it. Looking forward to hearing how Hamish gets on with the Mackenzie graphene.
I am enjoying buying 'something special' already  and can foresee a 'testing trip' or two coming up
The wife just can't understand it. I have a dozen or so fly rods, why do I need another? 

[Steven Sinclair]

Terry,

She is right, I don't think any of us actually understand it but for me that's not the point. If I was to look at it rationally I would have a far healthier bank balance but would I be happier? Hmm doubt it.

 

Steven

[Rob Brownfield]

I have a dozen or so fly rods, why do I need another? 

Only a dozen? Oh dear. 

When I moved 2 years ago the count of all rods was 98. I am currently building another three. A 9 foot 5 weight, a 10 foot 2 weight and a 8 foot glass 4 weight

[Mike Barrio]

Now that is simply greedy Rob

[Gethin Jones]

Another vote for the Radian,
I have both 9ft & 10ft in a 5wt and whilst the 9ft is marginally my favourite, I would say the 10ft  is the best all rounder.
I use it mainly for nymphs & dries from a boat and for bugging , it’s a very versatile tool indeed and my father (a die hard Hardy lover) traded his zenith 10ft 5wt for one last season.

[Hamish Young]

Looking forward to hearing how Hamish gets on with the Mackenzie graphene.

Well I nipped in past Scott today (before he heads off to Ireland to a show) and I have a  FX1 Graphene 10' #6 and a 10' #7 to play with for a while.
The waggle test (which is just soooo important  ) was actually very interesting, can't wait to get 'em strung up for a cast.
If the snow and ice fecks off, maybe tomorrow 

H

[Hamish Young]

More playing tomorrow, but I can say this about the 10' #7.... wow 
Haven't cast the #6 yet 

[Hamish Young]

OK.... so I had a proper play with both the 10' #6 and the 10' #7 FX1 rods today.

I would characterise the 10'#6  as mid flex in nature, doesn't feel stiff when casting but in line with FX1 Salmon rods the blank recovery is deeply impressive. Now I could wax lyrical about how good it was in my hands (matched to an SLX)  and all those who tried it at the Beauly AC opening today... but I'll stop short of that and simply say I will be having one 
I can't fault it.
I don't think it will be too much for three-to-the-pound brownies just like I don't think it will be under-gunned against anything else in UK waters. I think it is the 10' rod I've been looking for in the 5-7 weight class. I tried a couple of other line weights on it and the results were interesting, more on that another time.

The #7wt is astonishing, very different in nature and a fast powerful rod. I really like it..... I want it too .....
Matched to a GT125 I was comfortably (and I do mean comfortably) chucking 35 yards +

Both rods have the same FX1 high grade fittings and a finish which make the rods subtly old school and modern at the same time - job well done 

I don't think... actually I know.... I've ever cast better 10' rods.

[Steven Sinclair]

Terry,

Since other have been throwing in outside options I'll join in.

For reservoir dries and nymphs I'd like to suggest you have a throw of Paul Arden's sexyloops hot torpedo 9' 4#.

It's an absolute joy to fish with (I have the 6# but will be investing in the 4#) and has more than enough back bone and casting ability to cover what you are wanting it to do.

[Dave Robb]

So what are these FX1trout rods going to retail at, do we know yet?

Circa £700?

[Terry Coging]

£650/699at Glasgow Angling Centre.
Stephen  - a 10, is preferred for the boat - that extra bit of dibble on lift off.

[Euan Innes]

Steven,
Wait until your dad buys one and then try before you buy!
I would love one of the #6 but they are wayyyyyyyyyy out of my price range. Hell, my next salmon rod and reel won't reach that!
Still want to try one though! Will you still have one at the end of June H?

Euan