Best Fly Fishing Rod At ICAST 2011

Taking advantage of all the research and development put into its highly successful NRX rods, G.Loomis introduces a new 11-rod fly series - the Pro-4X, designed for both 'new-to-the-sport' and intermediate anglers. The series includes rods for trout, salmon/steelhead and saltwater fishing, ranging from a short, delicate, eight-foot, 3-weight for small flies in small water, a powerful, nine-foot, 8-weight to handle winds on the flats, and a 10-foot 7-weight for long-cast needed steelhead rivers.

"We took a page from our NRX blank technology to develop a new series of fly rods that anglers of all casting skill levels will really enjoy fishing." says Steve Rajeff, global chief rod design specialist for G.Loomis. "Expert anglers will wonder how we packed this much performance into such an affordable rod, and they'll quickly notice the incredibly sound actions, all very forgiving and delightful to cast."

The Pro-4X rods use a taper design - which, along reducing as much possible weight in the upper half of blank, that recovers quickly and provides precision casting. They are all four-piece rods, and come in a protective sock and travel case.

The two eight-foot fly rods include the Pro-4X 963-4FR, a 3-weight for when conditions call for small flies, light lines and a stealthy approach, and the Pro-4X 944-4FR, ready for short, accurate casts for larger trout and panfish.

Nine-foot rods start with the Pro-4X 1084-4FR, a soft tip 4-weight for fishing small dry flies and nymphs on bigger streams and lakes. The all-around 5-weight Pro-4X 1085-4FR is for rivers, streams and still-waters and when the situation calls for sinking-tip and full-sink fly lines, while the Pro-4X 1086-4FR is a bit more powerful for streamers, larger dries and nymphs, and for windy conditions.

Pro-4X saltwater rods include the 8-weight 1088-4FR providing distance, accuracy and fish-fighting power, the 9-weight Pro-4X 1089-4FR to extend casting range with its powerful butt-section to launch large flies and handle larger fish, and the Pro 4-X 10810-4FR, the big fish fly rod with the power needed for permit, tarpon and snook.

Salmon and steelhead anglers are the focus with three 10-foot Pro 4X fly rods. A big water, big trout 6-weight, the Pro-4X 1206-4FR can also be the choice for use from float-tubes, pontoons, canoes and kayaks. For long casts in smaller to mid-size steelhead rivers, there's the 7-weight Pro-4X 1207-4FR, and for big water, big steelhead and big kings, G.Loomis offers the 8-weight Pro-4X 1208-4FR.

All of the new PRO-4X fly rods are backed by the new G.Loomis 'Wild Card' program, a popular option first offered on the NRX rods to provide anglers with a one-time-only free replacement should they accidently break it - no questions asked. In addition, like all other G.Loomis rods, they feature a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner.

As with all G.Loomis rods, the Pro-4X series is manufactured in the USA. For more information on the new fly rods, visit gloomis.com, call 800/GLoomis, or stop by your nearest G.Loomis tackle dealer.

PRO-4X Use Recommendations

Pro-4X 963-4 FR- When the conditions call for small flies, light lines and a stealthy approach, this little 8-foot beauty is just what the doctor ordered! Made to order for small creeks and streams where you don't need to cast a long ways, this rod will make even the smallest trout seem like a monster!

PRO-4X 964-4 FR - Sometimes the small streams hold big surprises and you need a little more beef in a short rod. This 8-foot, 4-weight will handle larger trout and panfish, no problem and It's great for fishing brush-lined creeks where you need to make short, accurate casts to be successful.

Pro-4X 1084-4 FR - A longer 4-weight for fishing small dry flies and nymphs on bigger streams and lakes. The tip is soft enough to protect light tippets and still handle large fish. There's a subtle power in the lower half of the rod that helps you make longer casts and cover more water.

PRO-4X 1085-4 FR - The best all-around size for trout on rivers, small streams and still waters, this is a delightful casting rod with sufficient power for long-range casts yet it's still light enough to enjoy even the smaller fish. Will fish sink-tip lines and full-sink lines, no problem, but more suited to a floater.

PRO-4X 1086-4 FR - This rod is the best choice for fishing windy conditions. It's slightly more powerful than it's 5-weight counterpart and that makes it a good choice for fishing streamers, large dries and bigger nymphs. It has enough power to handle large fish and provides positive line control at all distances.

PRO-4X 1088-4 FR - The beginning of the saltwater tapers, this 8-weight gives you excellent distance, accuracy and fish-fighting power. It will handle larger flies and windy conditions. It has all the attributes of the GLX and standard CrossCurrent rods for light saltwater applications.

PRO-4X 1089-4 FR - When the fish get bigger and the wind becomes more of an issue, this is a rod you'll appreciate in light saltwater fisheries. It's fast taper provides extended casting range and it's powerful butt-section helps launch large flies and handle larger fish. A great choice for permit and redfish.

PRO-4X 10810-4 FR - Large permit, small tarpon, big snook... you name it, this rod will handle them all. When those big fish do everything they can to get back into the protection of their cover or habitat, this rod will tell them "no". It's an exceptional big fish rod, but the biggest advantage is the lightweight.

PRO-4X 1206-4 FR - A delightful big-water, big trout fly rod. A good choice for float-tubes, pontoon boats, canoe or kayak. It's excellent for summer-run steelhead and the smaller salmon species, especially in low, clear-water conditions. A great rod for the Klamath, the Grand Ronde or the John Day!

PRO-4X 1207-4 FR - This is a great rod for fishing the small to mid-sized steelhead rivers where long casts are the rule and fish control is a matter of hanging on! It's a fun rod for summer-run steelhead, silvers, sockeye and chums - maybe an occasional small king as long as the water isn't too heavy.

PRO-4X 1208-4 FR - An excellent choice for big water, big steelhead and king salmon. It has all the power you need to handle large flies and full sink lines and shooting heads. It will double nicely for stripers and blues if you're into wading the flats. Lots of line in the air? Not a problem with this powerful yet light rod.

G.Loomis took home Best Fly Fishing Rod at ICAST 2011