New Guideline LXI Rods

New Guideline LXI Rod

I had a chance today to try one of Guideline’s new LXI rods  at the Clonanav Flyfishing Centre.

These rods are replacing the LeCie range so had a lot to live up to, I can happily say that they do this and much much more.

Being a big fan of the LeCie rods I was really looking forward to trying this rod. The LeCie 13’7”  10/11 F is one of my all time favourite fishing rods especially when fishing fast sinking heads and large flies early in the season. This rod always gave me the performance of a 15’ rod in a compact easy to use package. A 10/11 3D line cut back to 41 grams always flew as afar as I ever needed and is my go to combo in high water and nasty conditions.

It was for this reason that I was delighted that the demo LXI rod was the 13’ 9” 10/11.

Straight away the quality of the cork handle was apparent,  one of the best I have seen a long time with little or no filler and some practical & tasteful composite in the right places. This made for a very comfortable feel in the hand.

The black down locking reel seat was solid, not fussy and practical.

The guides were all correctly aligned and the varnish was perfect with no blemishes or excess around the guides/rings. And while the noise from the rings on the LeCies with a dry line never bothered me many people will be happy to know that the LXI rings are completely silent.

The rod is rated for a 40 – 43 gram shooting head and a 660 grain skagit head. So this is indeed a powerful rod and it’s slightly deeper flex will allow this power to be easlily tapped into.

The Blank has a very solid & smooth feel to it when flexed/loaded.

I used a 10/11 3D F/H/I cut back to 41 grams (this is the line I use on the LeCie) for the test and while for my taste I would prefer 43 grams, the rod performed impeccably. The slightly deeper flex and lighening quick recovery made for some very nice casts with staggering line speed requiring very little effort on behalf of the caster. This rod has certainly got a power boost over it predecessor, but its power that’s easy to use.

I can’t  wait to try this rod with a heavier head, a 43 gram I/2/4  would be my choice for the spring. A 660 skagit will will definitly be  agood combo and you’ll be able to cast half a rabbit with it.

I was mightly impressed with this rod and look forward to trying some of the lighter line models also.