Home Forums Fishing Flyfishing Hardy fly rods

Anyone running the Hardy Zenith line of fly rods? I've heard a lot of great things about them and just pulled the trigger on a one-piece 8'10" 4wt. Hardy redesigned the reel seat for 2014 and there are some smoking deals on the "old" Zeniths.

No experience, but I'd think a 1 piece unit would be pretty sweet. A little tough to take on United, but the action should be pretty smooth.

Definitely not a travel rod, but I drive to nearly all of my fishing spots. I've got three and four-piece rods to pack when the need arises. I'll follow back up with this one after getting some time on the water.

Not a Zenith, but I love my 7'-6" Grey's 3-wt. Grey's is the economy line of Hardy's, but it is still a very sweet rod. Made in England and distributed very well in the US. I mail-ordered mine from a shop in SW Idaho. Good price, great service.

I'm pretty sure the Grey's line is made in Asia, as is much of the Hardy line (including the Zenith). I've heard a lot of very good feedback on Grey's, just like you have said. They're a lot of rod for the money.

Please do follow up. I'd like to hear how that one piece rod works out for you.

I casted them on the Madison River this past summer, they left me cold. There was nothing about the action that made me consider owning one. I don't know where they are made, but they are a stiff rod and I prefer medium to soft in dry fly rods. I may be spoiled, I have been using Tom Morgan Rodsmith rods and Winston for years and I haven't handled a rod that feels like a Tom Morgan...

Feel is a very personal thing, as you say. That's why some guys are shelling out a house down payment to get a hand-crafted bamboo rod.

If you aren't afraid to be an Orvis dork, they do offer three different flexes in their rods. Choose tip, mid, or deep flex in many models.

I've not fished a Tom Morgan Rodsmith rod, but I have owned and fished a few Winston rods and they were too "mushy". They were okay for dryflying, but not so great for nymphing. I have not had the opportunity to fish a Hardy Zenith rod yet although they get great reviews. I'm still stuck on my Sage Z-Axis.

Well, I have not cast one, I have a 7' 3 inch Hardy Cane rod. Gee's I must have the thing 40 years now, fished it twice I think. I spoiled myself when I picked up a Sage Graphite II 8'6" for a 5 wt. Its been the fly rod I pick up 95 % of the time for the last 30 years.