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Fly Rod Preview


G.Loomis updates their fly rod offering with four brand new series of rods (two of them GLX)

 

Date: 10/21/07
Tackle Type: Fly Rods
Manufacturer: G.Loomis
Reviewer: Zander








Introduction: Loomis has long been known for premium fly rods, and backed with expertise from casting champion Steve Rajeff the company introduces four new rod series for the 2008 season. They are designed to be application specific, and GLX makes a big comeback this season by being employed in both the powerful Max series and the precision oriented Whisper Creek fly rods. In all there are thirty exciting new rods spread across the new offering.

 

The new Max GLX rods are designed to offer the ultimate in line speed, distance and control for pushing big streamers and indicators for long line nymphing

 

Max GLX Fly Rods: First up in the new 2008 fly lineup are the Max GLX rods which are designed for aggressive casters looking for the extra need to push big streamers out of a drift boat, or to punch out large indicators for long line nymphing wit split shot. Each Max GLX rod features G.Loomis’ exclusive GLX graphite blanks, the first graphite developed specifically for the use in fishing rods. To add to the overall lightweight and sensitivity, also featured are REC Recoil stripper and snake guides that will snap back to their original shape. All of the rods also are equipped with G.Loomis’ unique oval offset reel seat.

 

“These rods are for anglers who demand fast casting cycle time, and still have the power to set the hook on long drifts,” said Gary Schaefer with G.Loomis’ product development staff. “They also are ideal choice when the wind keeps you from hitting that sweet you can see but without a Max GLX could not reach, plus the color and overall look mirrors the attitude that these rods carry.” With their extra-stiff action and fast taper,  “these are very technical rods for special situations that discerning anglers demand,“ Schaefer notes, “plus they really showcase the fly rod design and development abilities from G.Loomis - they will not fail you when the conditions are tough and you can make that cast.”

 

The Max GLX rods are also great for travel and G.Loomis offers four piece rods in 9’ models available in four, five and six weight versions.

 

MODEL DESC.

Item #

LENGTH

LINE WT

# PC'S

Taper

POWER

MSRP

FR1084-4 MAX GLX

11704

9'

4

4

Fast

Ex-Stiff

$620.00

FR1085-4 MAX GLX

11705

9'

5

4

Fast

Ex-Stiff

$625.00

FR1086-4 MAX GLX

11706

9'

6

4

Fast

Ex-Stiff

$630.00

 

Just like the name implies the new Whispercreek GLX rods are designed for precision situations

 

Whisper Creek Fly Rods: While the Max rods target heavy applications Loomis is also introducing the new Whisper Creek rods for the opposite end of the spectrum. For conditions that demand accurate casts, super light tippets and tiny flies, G.Loomis offers its new WhisperCreek GLX fly rod series. Available in seven models in two, three, four and five weight versions, the rods load easily for short presentations to spooky trout.

 

The WhisperCreek GLX rods also feature GLX graphite blanks, and REC Recoil stripper and snake guides. Also featured is G.Loomis’ unique reel seat with an offset-oval sculptured barrel and ‘California Buckeye Burl’ wood insert. The inserts give the rod a differentiated feel from its sibling, and reminds us of classic materials used in boutique rods.

 

“As you look over the G.Loomis fly rods designed primarily for trout fishing, fly anglers will quickly identify the WhisperCreek GLX rods are for when stealth and precision - not overwhelming force - is the needed tool for a successful day on the water, “said Gary Schaefer with G.Loomis’ product development staff. “They each feature very fine diameter tips designed to load up close for shorter, extremely accurate casts - even if you think you lack some casting skills.”

 

The WhisperCreek GLX series include three-piece models in an 8’ two weight, and 7’9” three and four weights. Four-piece models include an 8’8” three weight, 8’6” four weight, and 9’ versions in four and five weights.
 

MODEL DESC.

Item #

LENGTH

LINE WT

# PC’s

Taper

POWER

MSRP

FR962-3  WhisperCreek GLX

11707

8'

2

3

Med-Fast

Medium

$575.00

FR933-3  WhisperCreek GLX

11708

7' 9"

3

3

Med-Fast

Medium

$585.00

FR934-3  WhisperCreek GLX

11709

7' 9"

4

3

Med-Fast

Medium

$590.00

FR1024-4  WhisperCreek GLX

11710

8' 6"

4

4

Med-Fast

Medium

$610.00

FR1043-4  WhisperCreek GLX

11711

8' 8"

3

4

Med-Fast

Medium

$610.00

FR1084-4  WhisperCreek GLX

11712

9'

4

4

Med-Fast

Med-Stiff

$615.00

FR1085-4  WhisperCreek GLX

11713

9'

5

4

Med-Fast

Med-Stiff

$620.00

 

The Eastfork series is designed for anglers looking for extra line speed


Eastfork Fly Rods: Moving down the spectrum Loomis decided to bolster their lineup with a new range of performance rods at a less than premium price. The Eastfork series is designed for anglers looking for extra line speed during their cast. The rods will be offered in 10 models that run comprehensively across all of the best trout rod lengths and weights.

Utilizing high modulus graphite materials to create a slim diameter profile blank, the “EastFork trout rods feature a fast taper/stiff design to assist anglers in casting tight loops in all types of conditions,” said Gary Schaefer with G.Loomis’ product development staff. “Steve Rajeff, myself and the rest of our team took on the challenge to come up with a series of true trout rods that would provide fly anglers with both added control and extra line speed. And then we put in those G.Loomis extras that really set the rods apart.”

Along with the control and added line speed, fly anglers will also notice the ported reel seat with a burl cork insert branded with the G.Loomis ‘skeleton fish’ logo. The reel seat frame is also anodized to the same bronze color to match up with G.Loomis’ EastFork fly reels.

The EastFork rod line-up includes three-piece models in a 7’ three weight and 7’6” four weight. The rest are four-piece models including an 8’6” three and five weights, 9’ four, five, six and seven weights, and 10’ five and seven weights.

MODEL DESC.

Item #

LENGTH

LINE WT

# PC’s

Taper

POWER

MSRP

FR843-3 EastFork

11648

7'

3

3

Fast

Stiff

$385.00

FR1023-4 EastFork

11650

8' 6"

3

4

Fast

Stiff

$400.00

FR904-3 EastFork

11649

7' 6"

4

3

Fast

Stiff

$395.00

FR1084-4 EastFork

11652

9'

4

4

Fast

Stiff

$410.00

FR1025-4 EastFork

11651

8' 6"

5

4

Fast

Stiff

$405.00

FR1085-4 EastFork

11653

9'

5

4

Fast

Stiff

$415.00

FR1205-4 EastFork

11656

10'

5

4

Fast

Stiff

$425.00

FR1086-4 EastFork

11654

9'

6

4

Fast

Stiff

$420.00

FR1206-4 EastFork

11657

10'

6

4

Fast

Stiff

$430.00

FR1087-4 EastFork

11655

9'

7

4

Fast

Stiff

$435.00


The Xperience series is designed for anglers new to fly fishing, looking for an addition as a back-up, or need a specific size for a unique situation or occasional trip

The Xperience Fly Rods: The first three new series of fly rods either fall into Loomis's ultra premium GLX or high end Eastfork series. There are a lot of fly anglers that are unwilling or unable to invest so much in a fly rod, and for those anglers Loomis introduces the new Xperience series. These are not value rods, but rather quality rods at aggressive prices. The Xperience series is designed for anglers new to fly fishing, looking for an addition as a back-up, or need a specific size for a unique situation or occasional trip, and offers models to handle just about any kind of fresh and saltwater action. The series includes 10 rods in a three-weight size up to 12 weight, and retail from $265 to $345.

“We set a goal to provide the best we could in terms of blank materials, guides a new reel seat design and top-grade cork handles,” said Gary Schaefer with G.Loomis’ product development staff, “while keeping them at a price that would appeal to beginner and novice anglers, and also for those fly fishing enthusiast looking for special extra rod that’s easy on the wallet.” For anyone who wants to discover the true fun with fly-fishing - and do it with quality gear, “that is what we are striving to do with the Xperience rods,” Schaefer said. “Getting more folks into this sport, a sport many of us here at G.Loomis already enjoy, is the main goal for us. As with most self-participation sports, if you start out with inferior gear, the odds are is you’ll have problems and won’t keep at it. That will not be the case when you ‘experience’ the G.Loomis Xperience rods.”

The blanks are proprietary blend graphite with tapers that provide an easy-to-cast, lightweight yet durable feel. “In the lighter three to six weight sizes, anglers will find medium/fast to fast tapers and medium to medium/stiff powers to provide the line speed needed for accuracy and control, “Schaefer explains, “while in the heavier weight rods are designed with fast tapers and stiff powers for saltwater and salmon/steelhead conditions.”

Xperience rods in 3-piece versions include a 7’6” four weight and an 8’ three weight. All other Xperience rod are 4-piece models, offered in an 8’6” five weight, and 9’ four, five, six, eight, nine, 10 and 12 weights.

MODEL DESC.

Item #

LENGTH

LINE WT

# PC'S

Taper

POWER

MSRP

FR904-3  Xperience

11714

7' 6"

4

3

Med-Fast

Medium

$265.00

FR963-3  Xperience

11715

8'

3

3

Med-Fast

Medium

$265.00

FR1084-4  Xperience

11717

9'

4

4

Fast

Med-Stiff

$285.00

FR1025-4  Xperience

11716

8' 6"

5

4

Fast

Med-Stiff

$285.00

FR1085-4  Xperience

11718

9'

5

4

Fast

Med-Stiff

$285.00

FR1086-4  Xperience

11719

9'

6

4

Fast

Med-Stiff

$285.00

FR1088-4  Xperience

11686

9'

8

4

Fast

Stiff 

$295.00

FR1089-4  Xperience

11720

9'

9

4

Fast

Stiff  

$295.00

  FR10810-4  Xperience 

11687

9'

10

4

Fast

Stiff 

$325.00

FR10812-4  Xperience

11703

9'

12

4

Fast

Stiff 

$345.00

Conclusion: After more than a quarter century in the business Loomis has learned quite a bit about fly rod design. GLX has and continues to be among the finest materials in terms of both casting and sensitivity in both fly and bass rods, and it is good to see the material used in both power and precision applications in the new lineup. The Eastfork rods balance out the offering, and slots in nicely between the company's GLX rods and the more affordable new Xperience fly rods which are designed to offer the best bang for the buck in a high performance yet high value solution. While it remains to be seen if mainstream/value anglers will turn to a company predominately known for premium offerings it is nice to see the company address the complete range of anglers.

Looking for a Loomis rod? Check out the G.Loomis Superstore at
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