World's Best #5 weight fly rods - and a couple of bargains

Published: Wed, 01/29/20

Check out the World's Best 5 weights

We think we probably have the best range of 5 weight rods in the World. If we don't we did try.

Yellowstone Angler probably does the best fly rods shootouts in the World. They are not perfect, but they do try, and that is better than most. We certainly do not have the resources to do a fly rod shootout, and just because a rod scores well, it does not mean you will like it.

One of the most important factors always when choosing a rod though is matching a line to the rod for your style of fishing and your ability. Yellowstone use SA Trout and MPX lines to be consistent.

Yellowstone Angler rated the 5 weights like this:
Presentation 5 weight rods
1. The amazing new Douglas Sky G (In stock) wins in both Overall and Performance Only categories!
2. The new G.Loomis NRX+ LP (In stock) comes in 2nd followed closely by the Orvis Helios 3 (In stock) and Hardy Zephrus (Coming).
3. The Hardy Shadow (In stock) is our pick for the best mid-priced rod.
4. The Fenwick Aetos (May be available, but not carried)is still the best inexpensive rod.
5. The new Sage LL and the Winston Air were disappointing and finished at the bottom of the pack.

Power 5 weight rods
1. The new Loomis NRX+ (In stock) finishes first overall, followed closely by the Scott Radian (In stock) in 2nd and GLoomis Asquith (In stock) in 3rd.
2. The GLoomis Asquith (In stock) places 1st in Performance Only but loses a points in the overall results for its high Price and higher Warranty costs.
3. The T&T Avantt (Not in stock) finishes 4th again, with the Orvis Helios 3D (In stock) right behind it in 5th.
4. The Fenwick Fenlite Streamflex (May be available, but not stocked) is our pick for the best mid-priced rod.
5. The Orvis Clearwater (In stock) is our best inexpensive Power rod.
6. The Winston Alpha + proved to be too heavy and too stiff to be a good 5-weight.

The full shootout is here: https://www.yellowstoneangler.com/gear-review/2020-five-weight-shootout/

We have most of those rods in stock or coming. Some don't last more than a couple of days. If we don't have it available to buy online it may just be temporarily out of stock. We don't sell online what we don't have in stock. So call or email if you are chasing something.

Of course just because a rod does not score highly in that shootout, that does not mean you won't love it. And these are all 9' rods. We absolutely love the 9'6" Sage X and one the best all round rods and outstanding for dry fly from a boat, the GLoomis NRX LP as a presentation rod is still right up there and for value the Echo base is unbelievably good. And just on the scene is the outstanding Hardy HBX.

Call us for a chat. Our staff all fish several times a week and we use many different rods. You can come and cast any rod in the shop and we can help you decide on the rod that is BEST for YOU.

Bargain Echo rods

We recently sponsored the Kiribati (Christmas Island) team in the 1999 World Fly Fishing Championships with rods. These rods were used by them for some practise/fishing. Some were not used at all. They all have normal replacement warranty on parts of $85 plus post.

The models available are:

Echo Dry 9' #3 weight. $100 OFF

These are beautiful dry fly rods for stream fishing. These rods are 9 feet long and on an open stream with small fish, delicate leaders and #16 dry flies there is nothing better. The advantage of longer rods on small streams is line control. You can mend and manage drag free drift that would be impossible with short rods. On closed in streams though a short rod is called for. Buy it here for $295. Normally $395. Shipping is free.

The perfect line is Scientific Anglers VPT or Trout #3.

Echo Shadow II 10' #3 weight Euro Nymphing rod $170 OFF

Primarily designed for euro nymphing, the light and fast Shadow II offers critical line feel and control with an action that will also toss a loop when the bugs start flying.
Four piece travel design, Ultra lightweight, fast action, Fabric-covered rod case & sock, SIC chrome plated guides, Black anodized reel seat. Buy it here for $295. Normally $465. Shipping is free.

Echo ION XL 10' #6 weight $100 OFF

An absolute cannon for belting out sinking lines or loch style fishing. Also a perfect spare rod that will serve you well for years. A bargain at the regular $265, but these are out at $195. Buy it here for $195. Normally $295. Shipping is free.

NEW Hardy MTX-S reels - Absolutely gorgeous.

A bold step forward in reel design, the Hardy® Ultralite MTX-S is Hardy's first fly reel to feature a hybrid carbon fibre / alloy main frame construction with a sealed disc drag system. Strong, light and with a stunning industrial design, the MTX-S features a carbon fibre drag system, 340 degree colour coded regulator, captive spool release and high line capacity.

Hybrid carbon fibre / alloy main frame design
Sealed carbon fibre disc drag system
Stunning industrial design
Colour coded drag regulator

Check out the MTX-S here

Behind the MTX-S (Left) is one of our favourite lightweight reels - the Hardy FW DD. This is a lovely reel with drag, but retaining its light weight. A terrific reel for little creek rods, those that are Hardy freakoids and someone that wants something different.

Check out the FW DD here

To the right rear is the best cassette reel on the market. The Hardy ASR. This is the ultimate cassette system reel, the ASR (Assisted Spool Release) reel features a fast, easy to use spool release system that actively frees the spool at the flick of a switch and automatically engages the new spool with a simple push fit. The ASR comes with three spools in total.

Many competition anglers use this reel, so you can be sure of it is a great reel.

Check out the ASR here

We EXPRESS Post everything.

You will usually get it next business day.

essential FLYFISHER

www.essentialflyfisher.com.au

sales@essentialflyfisher.com.au