Loomis Double Handers

[easky]

Hi Guys

Planning to buy a new double hander in the new year and have heard good things about the Loomis rods. With the exchange rate in the US at the moment they are quite an attractive proposition . I fish small to medium sized rivers so am thinking of a 13fter or 14fter. There are 3 models I was considering, the classic, Dredger and Stinger. Does anybody have any experience/recommendations with them?

cheers

Easky

[jimthefish]

Save yourself some money and go for a Guideline LPXE 14ftr. It is rated 9/10 but also speycasts well with a 10/11.
It is a brilliant rod and as good as the Loomis imho. The rod would be ideal for what you want.

[fishingd0]

Easky

Not a big fan of gloomis rods. Over priced and have a very dull finish.

I fish with a 14ft 9/10 weight Meiser (of the highlander range). This is all I use throughout the season, It has a progressive through action and is fisnished to the highest standard I have seen.

www.meiserflyrods.com/index.html

[storlaks]

Easky, I have a Loomis Stinger 15ft and it's a great rod....sorry Gordon, disagree with you on finish. My rod has a high quality finish. I haven't tried the 14ft version so can't comment on this model, but it's big brother is a wonderful casting and fishing tool. Highly recommend it.

However if you are wanting to save a few pounds then I agree with Jim. The LPXe was designed by the same guy who designed Loomis rods so it's almost identical in action to the older GLX at a fraction of the cost. Their LeCie range are also wonderful rods.

If you can, I would try a few out before you buy.

Loomis and LPXe are fast action rods. The LeCie comes in medium-fast and fast acton.

[petersc]

I've owned three Loomis two-handers, including two Dredgers, plus single handers. I don't find their finish to be any worse than any other of the majors over here.

Avoid the 7/8 and 8/9 Dredgers as they're very soft, designed only for Skagit casting and would make a poor choice as a conventional Spey casting rod. The 14' - 9/10 version has a more moderate action and is suitable for conventional Spey casting. I was even able to manage a decent length of DT-10 Wet Cel 2 with it. Unlike other Loomis rods, these happen to fit the AFTMA scale, so the 9/10 will cast well with DT-9 and DT-10 lines. Don't put anything heavier on it as you'll bring it to its knees -- unless you plan to learn how to Skagit cast.

The 14' - 8/9 Loomis Deveron would also be a good choice, but keep in mind that it takes a heavier line than the 9/10 Dredger.

A friend of mine has a 12' 6" - 8/9 Stinger and we both have Guideline LeCies. The Stinger doesn't measure up to the LeCie equivalent, being not very powerful through the butt section and it has difficulty with sinking shooting heads. Apparently the rod was designed to toss floaters. I don't know if this is true for the larger models but it's definitely true for this 8/9.

HTH

Peter

[easky]

thanks guys, bit of a mixed bag

I am going to speak to the local Loomis dealer next week and see if I can get a go with some of his demo rods.

I have heard a lot of good reports about the LPXe, will see if I can get a throw with one as well

E

[tynetraveller]

Hi There, I have the 13ft 9wt classic glx ( there is quite a difference in action and price between glx and gl3 models)

It is a belter. It is featherweight, and effortless to fish. I only use it for floating line work but if given the choice, It would be the rod I fished with all the time. It picks up and casts line like a dream.

[easky]

thanks tynetraveller - is your rod the 8/9 13fter? if so that is one of the ones I am thinking of. Can it handle intermediates and sink tips ok?

cheers

E

[tynetraveller]

Yup, itis the 8/9. I have only fished it with the floater so far, with a carron 9wt 65ft head, and what a set-up. It picks the head up effortlessly and the only limit on how far I can cast is how well I manage the running line. I would expect it to pick up a tip or slow sink line without any issue- Have just picked up an airflo mult-tip 9wt and will try it out in the spring.

Cheers, Simon

[beanieboy]

Would tend to agree - the LPXe is also stiffer at the tip than the Loomis - for the money it is a better option than the GLX imho, although some will find the handle too short [about 22" from memory]

jimthefish said:

Save yourself some money and go for a Guideline LPXE 14ftr. It is rated 9/10 but also speycasts well with a 10/11.
It is a brilliant rod and as good as the Loomis imho. The rod would be ideal for what you want.

[johnny]

I would recommend you have a go with the GLX Greased line range, absolute belters of rods that make casting easy peasy lemon squeezy.

[jimthefish]

beanieboy said:

Would tend to agree - the LPXe is also stiffer at the tip than the Loomis - for the money it is a better option than the GLX imho, although some will find the handle too short [about 22" from memory]

It is actually 23" on my 14 footer. My initial impression was that it was a short handle but I quickly got used to it. I cant speak highly enough about the LPXe ( I am not connected to Guideline). For the money I dont think it can be beaten and indeed it is a better offering than many rods more expensive.
Even on big rivers such as the Tay and Lower Spey I found myself invariably reaching for this rod from late spring onwards. Matched with a 75' Carron it is a joy to use for floating line work. It also performed well on smaller rivers such as the Helmsdale and Doon, etc.

[easky]

cheers guys, the LPXe does sound a very good rod - I'm visiting my brother over the new year and he lives just down the road from Sportsfish (Reading). I am going to try and sneak a visit to try out their Guidelines - as everyone always says it pays try before you buy