New G.LOOMIS

NRX ROD REVIEW

by George Anderson

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Field testing the NRX on big Alaskan rainbows.  Photo: George A.

NRX RODS - We have them in stock, and they are HOT!

After wondering if the new Loomis NRX rods would live up to the reputation built by months of Loomis ads, we finally have had a chance to cast nearly all the fly rods now, and they are simply phenomenal.  Taking the new rods out on our lawn, we could compare them not only to the older StreamDance and CrossCurrent GLX rods, but also to the best new rods from other manufacturers like the Sage's Z-Axis and Winston's BIIIx.  Later this winter we’ll have more detailed comparisons with our new 5-weight and 8-weight shootouts.  In these upcoming rod reviews, we'll give everyone the specific details on how the NRX rods compare to all the other top rods on the market.  

But for now we were able to cast the NRX rods against our former shootout winners in both categories.  The new NRX rods were better casting rods in almost every instance than our old winners.  We were especially impressed with the big rods – line weights from 7 to 11, and this gives us a very good idea of what we can expect in upcoming shootouts.

Field Testing the NRX on big Alaska Rainbows - Mid-Sept 2010.

In addition, Loomis sent me a 7-weight NRX to take with me on a trip to Alaska this past September, and it proved to be a real weapon on the 6-9 pound rainbows we were catching in the many streams and rivers of the Katmai area. The NRX was a joy to cast, and had plenty of power to land these hefty rainbows in a hurry.  I purposely put more pressure on the rod than I felt it could stand, playing big fish, but it came through the ordeal in perfect shape. 

Steve Rajeff, head rod designer at G.Loomis, is recognized by many in the fly-fishing industry as perhaps the finest rod designer of all time.  A world fly -casting champion many times over and also a top angler himself, Steve knows what it takes to design a rod for maximum performance and fishability.  He put a lot of hours in designing these new NRX rods and the payoff is giving us rods that are delightful to cast at all distances and are lighter and stronger than most of the rods that they will replace.   

In talking to Steve, he told me that the key to developing the NRX was a combination of using a higher modulus graphite than they have ever used before, in conjunction with a new adhesive – A nano-resin system that Loomis developed in conjunction with 3M. This new technology allows the tiny silica particles, to be spread more evenly in the adhesive so that it fills in the spaces between the graphite fibers more evenly.  So now you have more surface area to create better bonding, (which allows greater strength while using less graphite), resulting in a much lighter blank, stronger blank.  On average, the new NRX blanks are an unbelievable 15% lighter and 15% stronger than the older GLX blanks!  

Of course the way the blank bends is a big part of the equation, and one that Steve has mastered over the years, perhaps better than anyone else. The Loomis NRX rods have unmatched power in the butt and mid-sections, but also have a nice progressive flex in the tip section that allows for better and more accurate casting at short to medium distances than other rods.

As far as the overall design was concerned, Steve wanted to make the NRX trout rods slightly stiffer than the StreamDance GLX rods.  The differences are small but noticeable.  In casting the NRX #5 and #6 line rods, they seemed fine at short to medium distances, but had really outstanding performance at medium to longer distances. These NRX rods cast very tight loops effortlessly, with the high line speed needed to make long, accurate casts in windy conditions.  They also have plenty of power for chucking lots of lead and indicators, while fishing nymphs, or for driving heavy cone headed streamers out there 70-80 feet with ease. 

The overall weight of the lighter NRX rods is impressive, but even more astonishing is how much power they possess.  But they seem to deliver this exhilarating power more smoothly than the older rods.  Each rod seemed perfectly matched with the line size recommended, using Scientific Anglers GPX tapers either in the standard version or Sharkskin. I never felt that I needed to over-line these NRX rods like I’ve felt with some rods from other manufacturers.

For anglers that want a softer trout rod, then there are a lot of other good choices, with the Loomis Whisper Creek GLX series a good place to start, especially if you are looking for a rod in the #3- #5 line sizes.   

Steve’s design ideas for the larger NRX rods, from #7-12 was to match the CrossCurrent GLX rods in power. This was a good idea since these were already the best casting big rods we’ve ever found.  But what was readily apparent was the weight difference in all the bigger rods.  As you go up in line size from the #7 to #12 the weight difference between the new NRX and the older CrossCurrent GLX rods becomes much more dramatic. 

The NRX rods in line sizes 8 through 11 (we didn’t have a 12 to test) were amazing compared to the older CrossCurrent GLX rods, which I felt were the best casting big rods in the business!  

The lighter weight of the new NRX rods compared to the older CrossCurrnt GLX was dramatic! 

The light weight of the new NRX rods was dramatic once we made some comparisons on our postage scale here at the shop.  The largest difference was in the big rods, from line size 8 on up.   Here is what we found:   The figures listed are overallweights in ounces.

Rod and line size          Weight: CC GLX         Weight NRX  

Here are some of my casting notes: 

On the older CrossCurrent GLX 9 foot #8, our winner of the 8-weight shootout -  "Still a wonderful rod.  Forms beautiful controlled, tight loops, especially at 60-80 feet.  Good power, particularly at mid to long-distance.  Throwing all the line is easy with this rod.  Accuracy in close at 30-50 feet is good, but nothing compared to the new NRX."

On the new NRX 9 foot #8: "Crisp, smooth, and lightweight immediately come to mind when comparing this to the old 8-weight winner.   This NRX is a perfect match with a WF-8-F GPX or a WF-8-F  Bonefish Taper.   This rod feels very light and crisp, and forms beautiful tight loops at all distances -and does it effortlessly!  The most outstanding difference I experienced between these two rods was casting at 45-50 feet, a distance I’m often throwing to bonefish on the flats.  At this distance, the NRX was so light, so effortless and so accurate that it felt more like a 6-weight rod than an 8-weight!s

Out on the flats I could cast this rod all day without any pain or strain.  Equally impressive was the reserve power to rip out 80-100 foot casts all day long with great accuracy."

It looks to me that these NRX 9'#8 is going to be the best bonefish rod you can put in your hands, but also a superb rod for a lot of other fishing like for big Alaska rainbows, and throwing streamers just about anywhere, from Montana to Argentina.  The streamer fisherman who likes to get deep and strip big flies will love how well the 9'#8 handles a 300 grain line.    In the 10-foot lengths, the weight difference between these NRX rods and the older GLX rods will be even more substantial.  With the lighter weight and smooth power the NRX is sure to be a winner for Salmon and steelhead.

With the big 9 foot #10 and #11 rods, the weight difference between the NRX and the older CrossCurrent GLX rods is huge.    The older 9 foot #10 CC GLX was the finest 10-weight rod I’ve ever used, and one rod that is so versatile and important for salt-water anglers.   This is my go-to rod for smaller tarpon, permit, big jacks, and big barracuda.  Often I’ll have two different 10-weight rods rigged and ready in the skiff, one set up for tarpon and another for permit. The new NRX blew it away, one of the biggest differences in the rod lines yet!    

Here are my casting notes on the 10-weights: 

The older CrossCurrent GLX 9 foot #10 - Still a very smooth an accurate rod to cast with loads of usable power. This is a stiff rod and I occasionally I overload it with a #11 line for better short distance casting.  This rod has enough butt power to play and land 80-100 lb. tarpon, but is perfect for smaller 30-60 lb. tarpon and big permit.  Lots of good anglers consider this the best #10 line rod ever made. 

On the new NRX 9 foot #10 - The same kind of great power of the old rod, but far, far lighter in my hand.  Wonderfully light feel and terrific accuracy at all distances. This rod really shines at 50-60 feet, and feels like I’m casting an older 8 or 9 CC GLX!  The NRX is super smooth and when you need to lean on it, this rod responds with explosive power to rip out 90-100 foot casts WITH EASE.    This rod will load well with a standard WF-10-F Tarpon Taper line but the WF-11-F was slightly better at short distances.   This new single lock reel seat seemed to work very well and locked up big reels very securely.  It stayed tight even after 10-15 minutes of continuous casting with big Tibor Riptide reel in place.   This new 9 foot #10 NRX raises the bar for the best 10-weight saltwater rod that we’ve see or cast.   I can’t wait to try it on small to mid-size tarpon and permit. 

We had the same experience with the new 9 foot #11 NRX.   Like the 10-weight, it was much lighter than the older 9 foot #11 CC GLX, which has been my favorite rod for big tarpon or other powerful big saltwater fish the past several years. Again, the same kind of good, smooth power of the older rod, but with a lot less weight.  The casting became far easier, especially at the longer distances I’m often throwing at tarpon and permit.  Crisp, smooth, power.  No question that the new NRX 9 foot #11 is a better rod in every way than the CC GLX. 

Components on the new NRX rods

Guides

On the lighter NRX rods from #3 up to #7, Loomis uses two smaller double recoil guides for stripping guides and then light weight standard size single foot Nickel/Titanium guides.  All the guides on these NRX rods are virtually unbreakable, which is a big plus.

The larger saltwater rods, from #8 on up all use oversize guides, which allow small tangles to slip through the guides, helping you land more fish. Again these are the Nickel/Titanium recoil guides that are flexible but not breakable.   Two large stripping recoil guides are used but then all the rest are oversize double foot guides (snake guides).  All the NRX guides have a black, non-glare finish.  These are expensive guides, but having guides that won’t break is a huge advantage in the long run, and to our knowledge Loomis is the only company that is using these unbreakable Nickel/Titanium guides.  

Reel Seats and extension butts:

The reel seats on the NRX rods are all up-locking seats with a single sliding ring that fits over the reel seat foot, and then a special triangulated locking ring that is easy to grip and twist tight.  All these seats seemed to lock up very securely on a variety of reel seats.  The hardware is black anodized aluminum, with a gray graphite spacer.  

The #3 to #5 line size rods use no extension to reel seat, while the #6 and #7 line rods use a ¾” extended cork fighting butt, the #8 and #9 use a 1” extension and then the #10-12 rods use a larger 1.5" fighting butt. 

Like the original GLX rods, the blank color is a natural dark grey graphite, but now Loomis puts a thin clear satin finish coat on the blank which works much better, especially in salt water.   The wraps are a distinctive sky blue, almost a Robin’s egg color blue.  At first I thought this was odd but any dislike about the color of the wraps was quickly dismissed by the superior performance of these NRX rods.

As an added bonus, all the NRX rods come in a classy gray graphite tube and a black rod sock that's smoother than satin. 

NRX SPECS:

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Loomis Warranty changes for 2011

With the introduction of the new graphite found in the NRX rods, Loomis decided to revamp their warranty conditions. Rod replacement under the old Expeditor service was getting totally out of hand.   So here is the skinny on how the new system works, straight from Loomis President Bruce Holt.

The good news:  The Loomis lifetime warranty still exists!   If any Loomis rod breaks and they determine that it was a defect in the rod that caused the break, the customer gets their rod repaired or replaced for free, with no shipping charges back to the customer.    Dealers or customers must ship the rods to the G. Loomis Warranty Service, 1359 Down River Drive, Woodland, Wa.  98674.      Then the people in warranty claims will look at the rod and determine if the breakage was a defect in the rod or accidental breakage by customer neglect.   They will give the customer the benefit of the doubt, but it is pretty easy for them to spot crushed graphite that comes from stepping on a rod, automobile incidents, or other customer caused breakage.  If the warranty people determine the breakage was the customer’s fault, then they will come up with a repair charge that will likely be well over $100.00.  Turn around on warranty claims should be 2-3 weeks on average.

The Expeditor program still exists.  However, the Expeditor service now costs $100 rather than $50, and can be used only one time.  Also, the expeditor service can only be on rods that are currently in the Loomis line.  Older rods must be sent in to regular Loomis warranty service for claims, repair or replacement. 

So if you know you slammed your rod in the car door, or broke it with some other unfortunate angler error, the best bet is to use the one-time Expeditor Service.  Call Loomis at 877-577-0600, or you can go on-line at: www.GLoomis.com.  Use your credit card and they will charge you $100 for the Expeditor program, and you will get a new rod in just a few days along with a FedEx call tag to send your broken rod back.    But the second time it breaks, you must send it in to warranty repair with your letter telling them how the rod broke and then they will make a judgment on what to do and how much it will cost to repair or replace your rod. 

For the new NRX rods, there is no Expeditor service offered.   BUT they have what is called a “Wild Card” for NRX owners.  

  #1. Immediately after you buy your new NRX you must register your new NRX on-line.   #2 Loomis sends you your “NRX Wild Card” in the mail.   #3.  If you break your NRX, you can take your “Wild Card” to any Loomis dealer and if they have available stock, they are authorized to give you a new rod over the counter.   But if their stock on your model is low or out, then the dealer must call and have Loomis ship your new rod, either to the dealer or to you, and this will take a few days, given the fact that Loomis has this model rod presently in stock in one of their warehouses.  Also, this “Wild Card” is good one time only.    After that, your NRX must be sent in for normal warranty claims service.    If it broke because of a defect, you get a new rod for free.   But otherwise, they will quote you a charge to repair or replace your NRX rod. 

Buy Online!

or call in your order for free shipping

free expert advise and no sales tax

406-222-7130