High End 8wt Rod Selection

[razorz]

I am looking at moving my Abel Super 8 to an 8wt rod. I'd like some opinions on the following rods:

Orvis Zero-G 8wt
Sage Vt2
Sage Xi2
G-Loomis GLX


I currently own a Vt2 9wt and Xi2 7wt. I absolutely love the Vt2 and am undecided on the Xi2. Perhaps it has to do with the type of flies I cast on each. My Xi2 is usually used to cast weighted-eyed flies whereas I cast clousers/deceivers with the Vt2.

:slap::dunno::gr_cheers:

[jake61198]

If you have the chance, you might give the Winston BIIx a test cast, it could be a pleasant surprise. I fished Sages for years, own a couple of GLX's, and have switched over to almost entirely BIIx's. They are lightweight, fast action rods with a little softer tip that give them a little more feeling while still casting as long a line as any other rods out there.

[razorz]

I will have to do that, I do not believe I have ever picked up a Winston rod.

:gr_cheers:

[rhett121]

I liked casting the G.Loomis Crosscurrent GLX, but damned if I can get one. I've been waiting for mine for over a month and all I've gotten is excuses about why they can't build them (no guides, no cork etc.). It's making me rethink my decision. If they can't even build ONE, what's going to happen if or when I actually need to take advantage of their speedy warranty service? It was the nicest casting rod I tried though. I was originally interested in the St. Croix Legend Elite but I couldn't even find one to cast. Not really sure what to do now.

p.s. I'm having the same problem with the Nautilus NV series reels, cant get one anywhere.

[razorz]

They have Nautilus NV series at the Fly Shop of Ft. Lauderdale iirc. They had about 9 models in the case last time I was there.

954-772-5822 Tell them the guy from the Scrap Metal yard sent you there.

:gr_cheers:

[razorz]

I just ordered a Zero-G 8wt Mid-Flex. Hopefully will receive it by Tuesday and post a review on it.

:gr_cheers:

[Bender]

Maybe this article can help you,i think it is a very interesting test:

http://yellowstoneangler.com/FlyRodComparisonon8weightrodsAlbrightG.LoomisG-loomisOrvisScottTempleforkTFOThomasandThomasSt.Cro ixOrivsZeroGravityOrvisT3RedingtonCPSAlbrightXXSag eXi2SageZaxisLoomiscrosscurrentLoomisNativeRun.asp

[Bender]

....i'm owner of Sage xi2 in 7,9,10 and 12 WT and i love them, i can tell you that Sage has a very good customer service and doesn't charge a lot of money for replace damage rods,i love not only their products but also their fast and good service like Tibor.

[Shadowcast]

Let me know how you like the mid flex. I have always had tip flex on my rods. The Zero G tip is awesome.

[rhett121]

They have Nautilus NV series at the Fly Shop of Ft. Lauderdale iirc. They had about 9 models in the case last time I was there.

954-772-5822 Tell them the guy from the Scrap Metal yard sent you there.

:gr_cheers:

Thanks for the heads up. I'll see what I can find. I'm in New England so I was looking for someone who had one I could compare to the regular Nautilus 10 but at this point I'd just like to have one at all. I don't want to miss the "whole" season waiting!

[jdo]

Interesting, that Loomis is still out of stock of the GLX's, I broke a 9 weight crosscurrent, 3 piece about 2 months ago and they told me they were out of stock and it would be a couple of weeks, after I inquired if it would be possible to pay the difference and have a GLX shipped in its place they told me they had none of them built either. I thought this was pretty strange and it is really strange that they still don't have any ready to go.

Ultimately, I had them ship a Pro 1, which is a pretty awesome rod and I think is worth the inconvenience of not being able to break it down for transport. If I was looking for a new 8 weight I would consider the Pro 1.

[razorz]

Is loomis just back-ordered or are they having issues internally? :dunno:

:motz2:

[rhett121]

First Loomis said the company that makes their reel seat was out of inventory, then they said the Titanium Recoil guides were back-ordered, now they're saying the company they bought their cork from has sold the property it grows on to a developer to build condos instead.

My questions is...for such a high end company, why do they consistently seem to put all of their eggs in the same basket so often? How many customers with warranty issues, or potential customers looking to buy, do you have to discourage before you decide it's time to maintain control over your suppliers (or at least have backups standing by)? That's why it's important, as a manufacturer, to always maintain several supply chains. If ONE of them takes a hit, you still have a backup.

They sure do make a nice rod though!

[razorz]

I got my Orvis Zero-G 8wt in yesterday and let me say it has been the best fly casting experience I have had so far. Long casts are effortless, it has a beautiful finish, the real seat is excellent and it just feels nice. I will have to take it out this weekend to see if I can catch some big boys in the bay on it for a second opinion.

At this point, however, I am considering nixing my planned Sage Xi2 12wt setup in favor of another Zero-G.

:thumb:

[jdo]

I am sure the Orvis is a great rod. I unfortunately have an irrational dislike of Orvis products and an irrational love for Loomis rods. But what is fly fishing if not a little irrational.

As far as the loomis inventory is concerned, I am wondering if they are focusing a little bit too much on all the new spey rods they have been building. It seems like everytime I look in a fly fishing magazine there is a caption about a new spey rod. Its like they are banking on it to be the next big thing in fly fishing. Which doensn't really help us in Florida very much.

[razorz]

I never really did figure out what Spey casting was.. two handed?

[acesover]

I'm suprised no one mentioned Scott rods. Not that they are better or worse than any of the rods mentioned, just thought it was strange.
I looked at a Loomis rod this past weekend, a Crosscurrent, and was impressed with the finish, but it seemed to be slow for my taste, judging from the "shop wiggle" I gave it. I asked the shop owner about testing it out if I brought my own reel and line, and he said no problem. I wonder if I should tell him I am gonna take it out in the kayak and use it on trout and reds?

[jdo]

Which Crosscurrent did you test out? They have 3 different Crosscurrent models the standard CC which is a 3 piece rod, the CC GLX which is a 4 piece rod and the CC Pro 1 which is a one piece rod. I would be curious to hear what rods you think are faster than the crosscurrents. Particuarly if you cast the GLX or Pro-1.

It has been a number of years since I have had a Scott rod in my hands but I don't remember it being a particuarly fast rod.

[rhett121]

It was the initial brand I was looking at so I tried a couple of Scott rods (X2s and S3s) and they just felt awkward. Really they felt like they had a stiff tip and a stiff but but flexed right in the middle of the rod. as if they had a hinge in the middle of them. I couldn't get used to it in the little time I spent with them but they still seemed to cast pretty well, if you could get over the feeling. Of course it could just be my style that didn't agree with them.

Honestly, the next best feeling rod (after the CrossCurrent GLX) to me was the TFO TiCR but the craftsmanship left a lot to be desired and the rod felt really heavy. Mostly the reel seat felt cheap but the rod had a good action.

[Shadowcast]

I really like the Loomis CC Pro 1 rods. The 12 wt. is a great rod for poons. The Zero G rods are something else. I am looking forward to selling my spare 8 wt. so I can get a Zero G of another size.