G Loomis Streamdance GLX – A benchmark for trout fly fishing rods
The G Loomis StreamDance GLX fly rods are a benchmark for trout fishing fly rods. Consistently rated tops in shoot outs, these medium-fast to fast taper, medium stiffness rods are the universal answer to many situations. Loomis are confident in calling these rods the best all-around trout rods on the planet, bar none. Potent enough to punch a long line, yet still subtle when you need to curve a long leader with attached minute imposter to a sipping spring creek resident in tight quarters. Explore a chalkstream with this rod in hand and you will conclude it is a decathlete champion in the trout rod world. Coated in a satin olive finish with components that are second to none. Recoil guides, buckeye burl insert, ported and knurled winding check… Simply the best!!!
The softer progressive tip of this rod contributes to the excellent short-range accuracy and feel. No one has mastered the technology like Steve Rajeff and G. Loomis when it comes to building really small diameter rod tips. It’s hard to believe, but the tip diameter of this 5 weight StreamDance GLX, just below the tip wrap, measures only .053″! The next best is Sage at .059″ and all the rest of the rods go from .061″ (Scott G-2) to .067″ (Orvis Zero G.) All the G Loomis StreamDance rods that have been sold have proven to be extremely strong despite the tiny tip diameters. Breakage rates are one of the lowest in the industry.
Wonderful power and accuracy at short and long distances, combined with a very light swing weight making this a great rod for dry fly fishing and lots of false casting. It has Unbelievable explosive power on tap when you need it. Lean on this rod and the line really flies! A great performer at long distance and an amazing amount of reserve power that you didn’t believe existed. Throwing a tight loop into a hard wind was effortless.
A virtual dead heat with the Z-Axis. Terrific feel and accuracy. Slightly heavier in my hand (heavier swing weight) than the Sage but equal in mid-distance performance, accuracy and power. Both of these finalists are on a higher performance plateau than all the other rods tested.