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Veteran Fly Anglers will appreciate the balance
of action the GLoomis FR1086 GLX rod delivers
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Date: |
3/10/03 |
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Tackle type: |
Fly Rod |
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Manufacturer: |
GLoomis |
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Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.83
Introduction:
GLoomis is renowned for premium casting, spinning, and perhaps above all...their
incredible fly rods. GLoomis produces a range of fly rods from their economy fly
outfits to the GLX based premium rods. As you step up the performance ladder you
can definitely feel the difference in precision, power, and refinement that goes
into each rod. We had the opportunity to field test one of GLoomis's most
popular performers, the FR1086 6 weight fly rod.
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GLoomis
FR1086 GLX Specifications |
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Length |
9' |
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Line Wt. |
6 |
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Pieces |
2 |
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Taper |
Fast |
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Power |
Med-Stiff |
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Materials |
High Performance Graphite with cork grip + graphite reel seat |
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MSRP |
$585.00 ($630.00 for 4pc. version) |
Impressions: GLoomis has quite an impressive resume when it comes to
designing and manufacturing winning fly rods. 16 time World Champion Caster
Steve Rajeff swears by the GLoomis GLX series stating "These fly rods are the
best in the world. Put them up against any rod. Same conditions, Same line, Same
guy casting. GLX will drive the fly where you want, with less effort every
time." For those that have fished with GLX graphite you understand the detail in
design and the stunning performance these rods offer. Working directly with
graphite manufacturers Steve Rajeff and Gary Loomis originally designed GLX
graphite specifically for fly rods.
I have fished with a variety of fly rods and consider myself an intermediate fly
caster, unlike Buzz who is our resident Fly expert. GLoomis designed the FR1086
to allow experts to cast farther and with more precision, and intermediate
casters like myself to improve on our basic casting dynamics. Simply put this
rod is designed to help you no matter what stage in the game you are in.
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GLX graphite
is light, fast, responsive and amazingly stalwart |
Choosing the right rod: Choosing the right fly rod for the
right application is absolutely essential for any angler, especially beginners.
GLoomis's FR1086 is a well balanced 6wt rod that is right in the middle of the
spectrum, but the perfect weight for anglers like myself that enjoy fishing a
variety of mid sized species. While not as application specific as the smallest
or largest rods the FR1086 is designed to be able to present subtle flies for
trout, egg patterns for energetic Steelhead, and even poppers for bass! If you
want to fish for brookies and panfish you will want to go with a 1-2 weight rod,
and if Salmon and Stripers are you favorite game then opt for a 9-11
weight rod. Picking the right rod will not only help you present the right
flies, but also allow you to balance the right feel and power required to land
each individual species.
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The FR1086
comes with a soft sleeve and a covered rigid rod tube for safe transport to
your next destination |
The Tests:
To test the
performance of the FR1086 in different applications we set out to various
Northern California rivers in both clear and murky conditions to fish for trout,
steelhead, and smallmouth bass.
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Complete Rig for
GLoomis FR1086 GLX Tests |
| Rod |
GLoomis FR1086 GLX |
| Reel |
Bauer M2 |
| Line |
Rio
Steelhead/Salmon 6wt. line |
We tested the FR1086 GLX while fishing waist deep in waders as well as standing
on SOAR inflatable canoes.
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To minimize
weight GLoomis has incorporated an absolutely beautiful graphite Reel Seat
which is ultra light and still remains exceptionally strong |
The Materials:
The heart of the FR1086 is its highly refined GLX graphite blank. This graphite
is extremely light and still able to remain very durable. The cork handle is of
very high quality and feels silky to the touch. The titanium stripping guides
combined with the alloy snake guides make for a very slippery surface in which
to cast and retrieve. While stripping through the rod one experiences very
little friction. Each guide is reinforced by the GLX's trademark brilliant blue
wrapping thread.
The reel seat is a piece of graphite reinforced by anodized aluminum, and like
all the components is black to reduce any glare. The reel seat on the GLX is by
far my favorite part of the rod as the material is lightweight, durable, and
absolutely beautiful in sunlight. Overall the FR1086 is a very detailed work of
art that reminds me more of the elements found in a hand built custom rod than
the monotony of a mass produced one.
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The very
first test encompassed Steelhead fishing in fast moving waters |
The Feel:
GLX graphite is stiff
and has a very fast action, which means that the majority of flex you will
experience in this rod is at the tip. While many beginners like the forgiving
feel of medium action rods, intermediate and expert anglers will appreciate how
accurate a GLX rod is. The overall weight of the rod is very light, and even
after hours of casting your arm will feel arm will not feel fatigued as the
FR1086 is well balanced and exceptionally light.
Casting distance is absolutely superb, and
you can make long casts with surprisingly short strokes. The fast action of the
GLX makes it necessary to have a good balance of proper timing and power
application. Trust me when you get it right you will know it, for you will be
able to shoot 6wt line a lot straighter and longer then you ever expect. I found
it unnecessary to make very long strokes to unfurl line, and relatively
effortless to hit targets with great accuracy.
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The Western
style cork grip is very comfortable for long hours of casting |
The Sensitivity:
When fishing flies under a strike indicator for steelhead you have the
luxury of being able to set immediately as you see your indicator plunge under
the water. But if you are fishing straight beadheads then your reaction time
depends on how quickly you can distinguish a strike. Whenever I fish the latest
graphite rods like the GLX I always remark at how far graphite technology has
come, and how much more sensitive these rods are then the fiberglass and bamboo
blanks of the past. The GLoomis GLX rods are the most sensitive fly rods I have
ever fished. Even in comparison to the same rod in GL3 graphite there is a world
of difference. The FR1086 telegraphs the most minute vibrations, does a good job
preserving the finest tippet, and allows anglers to make subtle presentations
with ease.
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The FR1086's
stripping guides are constructed from durable titanium |
The Power: Once you are
hooked up you will experience the brawny side of the FR1086, and can land
immense fish with confidence thanks to a robust butt section which exhibits very
little flex. Some rods that I have fished tend to have a uneven points in
sensitivity and power distribution, some even exhibit strained flex points due
to poor ferrule or connection design. The FR1086 is engineered to be a
continuous arc, seamless in flex and vibration transmission. This is true of
both the 2 piece and 4 piece versions of this rod. Interestingly the FR1086 does
not feel like overkill for small trout, which still offer up a pleasurable
fight. By the same token the strength of the butt section of the FR1086 allows
you to fish the strongest of steelhead and even largemouth bass. This rod can be
effectively used as a 7 weight rod if your application requires more muscle.
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Traveling
light on the river with a SOAR canoe and the FR1086 GLX |
The Price:
This rod isn't cheap by any means but it isn't that expensive when you consider
what a premium fly rod costs these days. The FR1086 is right on par with the
competition in terms of cost, and offers a lot of nice details in it's intricate
design. There are cheaper rods out there but few that can match the balance of
sensitivity and power that GLX graphite offers. For me another added value of
buying a GLoomis rod is the excellent service and warrantee that come with every
rod. This warrantee covers the rod for the life of the product.
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NatureBoy
holds the canoe steady as Zander fishes for smallmouth bass |
Who should
consider the FR1086 GLX?: It is
a fact that you can buy a perfectly good fly rod for just over a hundred
dollars, but there is certainly a difference in quality and refinement when
compared to a premium rod like the GLoomis FR1086. Just who should invest in
this rod? We recommend intermediate to advanced anglers that are looking for a
rod that can fish multiple mid-sized species, as it is these individuals that
will appreciate the stiff, fast action that the GLX graphite has to offer. I had
a great time with this rod, but was the first to admit that my current casting
skills do not take full advantage of the capabilities of this rod. A veteran
fly-caster like Buzz could truly make full use of a rod like this. Beginners may
find the FR1086 a bit unforgiving, and not really appreciate the fast action
this rod offers. For beginners the same rod can be bought with a medium-like
action in GL2 or GL3 graphite for less then half the price.
Ratings:
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GLoomis
FR1086 GLX Ratings (?/10) |
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Construction/Quality |
Great construction and
quality worthy of the GLoomis name. The use of GLX graphite is well
implemented, and the reel seat is simply a work of art. |
9 |
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Performance |
The rod is an excellent
caster, very sensitive, and powerful enough to handle jumping steelhead with
confidence. |
10 |
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Price |
At a msrp of 585 dollars
nobody is saying this rod is cheap but it is worth every penny for
experienced anglers that will appreciate the fast action and refinement that
a premium rod like this can offer |
8 |
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Features |
The GLX blank is awesome,
the reel seat is beautiful, the guides are durable, and to sweeten the
package the rod comes bundled with a protective rod sock and storage
tube. |
9 |
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Design (Ergonomics) |
The
cork is silky smooth and ergonomically contoured in traditional western
style, but what really makes this rod great is the overall light weight. |
9 |
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Application |
A versatile rod that can
fish a variety of species, but not the most forgiving. Beginners should look
at the same rod (FR1086) in the GL2 and GL3 graphite class for a little
softer action and more casting forgiveness. |
8 |
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Total Score |
8.83 |
Pluses and Minuses:
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Plus
Minus |
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J
Great detail in design |
L
GLX is not necessarily the best choice for
beginners |
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J
Great feel and weight |
L
Price high for some |
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J
Good balance of feel & power |
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J
Fast action makes casting a dream |
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J
Lifetime Warrantee |
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Conclusion: If you are an intermediate or expert Fly fisherman looking
for the latest in graphite technology then the GLoomis FR1086 has your name all
over it. This beauty in fly rod construction offers a great balance of
sensitivity, power, and durability at a price that most anglers who are as
obsessed about fly fishing as we are will agree is not bad for a rod of this
premium quality. While beginners should choose from more forgiving and
affordable GLoomis GL2 graphite the FR1086 models simply are hard to beat when
you are looking for one fly rod that can do it all when it comes to fishing mid
sized species. Fish GLX for a day and you will find other rods feel slow and at
times downright sloppy. There are many Fly anglers that consider GLoomis rods to
be among the very best available...and the FR1086 GLX is a good example of why.
Looking for a Loomis rod?
Check out the G.Loomis Superstore at
Monster Tackle
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