Gear Reviews from the Pros in Livingston
Welcome to the March 2026 edition of Yellowstone Angler’s Shoutouts, the first of what will be ongoing, irregularly appearing articles and features by Yellowstone Angler staff.
It is our intention to highlight and give you our take on selected new and noteworthy gear that merits serious consideration by fly-fishing anglers. In these gear reviews, we will be highlighting new, classic, or trending gear that we have had a chance to test or use in fresh or salt water.
As we finish such articles, you will be able to find them published on our homepage, yellowstoneangler.com, under the drop-down menu titled "Shoutouts."
You may ask, “Does this spell the end for our Yellowstone Angler Shootouts?” Since their inception, nearly 20 years ago, our pioneering Shootouts have been the talk of, (if not also the benchmark), for comprehensive, in-depth fly-fishing gear reviews. And, if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the multiple and proliferating side by side rod and reel comparisons we have spawned among fly shops online attest to the popularity and usefulness of our Shootouts.
In more than decades of experience writing about fly fishing rods, reels, waders, and even tippet material, we have learned what is necessary to test and compile solid data to create meaningful gear reviews. For years now, however, the effort to create the Shootouts has strained our shop of 5 to 7 staff members.
And with the ever-expanding number of fly-fishing rod and reel offerings annually, it has become increasingly difficult to dedicate the time required to produce our Shootouts with the comprehensiveness and detail we desire.
Accordingly, we have decided to move to smaller, more manageable gear reviews. We will still take a deep dive into the products we review and always give you our honest opinions.
So, the answer to the question is, yes – we are moving on from our Shootouts, but the spirit and essence of the Shootouts lives on in their progeny - the Shoutouts.
Read our first one here:
2016 vs 2026 G. Loomis Asquith
9'#7 Weight Fly Rod Review
An In-Depth Comparison, Specs, and Performance Review
With First Impressions of the new 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11-Weight Asquith
By: James and George Anderson
Heads Up, 7 Up – who will stand up in front of the Class?
I remember playing Heads Up, Seven Up at Winans Elementary. A handful of selected students would walk around the room and tap the thumbs of seated students, (who had their heads down and thumbs up). After the selected students were finished, the teacher would say, “Heads Up, Seven Up!” The seated students would sit up to see the selected students standing in front of the class. If a seated student could correctly guess who tapped their thumb, they swapped places.
Upon starting this 7-weight comparison, I wondered if the new Asquith would have what it takes to replace the original, or if it would fall short and remain, as it were, seated. But after talking with G. Loomis’ research and development manager, Jerry Guevara and lead design engineer Landon Myers, I discovered it was more than just graphite fly rods that would swap out roles – it was people.
A recently retired Steve Rajeff was the one tapping thumbs, selecting an entire design team of young talented engineers, designers, specialists, and anglers. As it turns out, not only are they capable of standing up and carrying the torch for G. Loomis, they are excelling at it. And the 2026 Asquith “2” is proof.
“The Innovators” – Continuing the Legacy
How does a premier rod manufacturer replace a living legend who is not only one of the best competition casters in the world, but one of the best rod designers ever? G.Loomis’ approach to this unprecedented task was through committee rather than a single “next man up” philosophy – a team G.Loomis refers to as “The Innovators.” As a crew that works well together, the sum of their whole is much greater than the total of the individuals’ contributions.
To get a better feel for how G.Loomis’ approach evolved after Steve’s retirement, click on this short video, (if interested, a second similar video should pop up in your queue covering G.Loomis’ culture):
Rajeff’s Involvement with the 2026 Asquith
While the general groundwork for all new rod design, concept creation, and innovation now belongs to the Innovators, G. Loomis still retains Steve Rajeff on the payroll as a casting consultant and advisor.
He cast the 1st generation Asquith 2 blanks in April-May of 2022. There were two versions, a 101 and a 102 blank. Later, based on Steve’s feedback a 301 blank was created. After extensive field testing and more lawn casting, a slightly softer 302 blank was made. Final blanks were selected from the 301 and 302 blanks.
Needless to say, the final products were "Steve Rajeff approved."
Yellowstone Angler’s Comparison
Returning to the object of this Shoutout, here are some ways in which the 2016 and 2026 Asquith remain similar:
- The Name
- Model Sizes (all remain 9 foot, 4-12 weight)
- Still the most expensive graphite fly rod on the market
- Blanks are rolled in Kumamoto, Japan
- Rods are built in Woodland, Washington
- 4, 5 no fighting butts
- 7-12 fight butts
- 4, 5, & 6-weights have a hook keeper
- 8 through 12 weight have no hook keeper
- Familiar crisp action
- Capable of tight, stable loops
- Same superb accuracy in class
- Still one of the toughest blanks on the market (hard to break)
The 2016 and 2026 Asquith 9’#7-weight rods differ in the following ways:
(items in parenthesis refer to the 2026 model):
- Rod deflection - (slightly softer)
- Rod Action - (slightly faster)
- Swing Weight - (slightly heavier)
- MOI - (slightly heavier)
- Overall weight of the blank - (slightly lighter)
- Improved Spiral X to "Spiral X Core" (stronger and lighter)
- Different resin technology - (Tory Nano Alloy)
- Different shaped cork grip - (thinner)
- New Fuji Titanium stripping guides - (angled)
- Different color blank - (jet black with less shimmer and glitter)
- Colored PVD Snake Guides - (black instead of silver)
- Different reel seat - (simple but elegant)
- Different reel seat lock rings - (less aggressive knurl)
- Designation of rod weight on reel seat securing band (7)
- Branding - (No Shimano logo)
- Higher Price - ($300-$415 more)
- New case and cloth bag/rod sock
- Designed by the Innovators, approved by Steve Rajeff
- Asquith Tip Program now $140 - (instead of $75)
- Expediter program now 60% off retail price of rod
ROD DEFLECTIONS / ROD ACTIONS
Rod Deflection Analysis
One of the simplest ways to observe how rods differ is to deflect them. Charts help to visually represent the differences among rod actions. Butt sections, (the section with the cork grip – labeled section 1), pretty much flex similarly. The differences in stiffness usually start in the 2nd section, (just above the butt section). The biggest differences occur in the 3rd and 4th (tip) section.
As you can see from the deflection chart above, the 2026 9’#7 is softer than the original, and by a decent margin. The butt sections are virtually identical, then the divergence begins in the second section, gradually getting softer towards the tip. On paper this suggests the 2026 Asquith should offer less power but more feel than the original, (which is what we experienced while casting on the lawn and fishing).
More subtly observed, is 2026 Asquith’s softer tip. If you look very closely at the two tip sections, you can see the 2026 Asquith’s tip drops down slightly faster/steeper than the 2016’s tip deflection. Rods with flatter tips, (less steeply dropping deflections) are typically more powerful with a slower action. Rods with steeply dropping tips are considered “faster” in action and generally more versatile.
Rod Action Differences
The 2026 9’#7 was capable of casting tighter loops, was more accurate, and was also more fun and effortless to cast than the 2016 counterpart. In the hands of a competent caster, it can still handle the wind and a 75’ cast, though not quite as easily as the 2016 Asquith. In general, we liked the new action better overall and consider it to be an improved blend of power and feel for the 7-weight Asquith line.
(Note – to see more deflections and comments comparing the original and new Asquith 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11-weights scroll down).
Over the years, we have preferred rods with a faster action, not necessarily a stiffer action and that especially pertains to the tip section. In general, we prefer a rod with a stiffer butt section and a softer tip with a light swing weight. Unfortunately, a rod’s swing weight cannot be seen, it must be felt with the rod in your hand.
Swing Weight and MOI – Slightly Heavier
Surely the new Asquith would be lighter in swing weight that the original, right?? Wrong… (at least for the 7-weight model).
We suspect one of the reasons the 2026 Asquith rods tested heavier in swing weight is because of the new cork grip’s shape. We measure swing weight from the middle of wherever our hand naturally wants to grab the cork grip. Since the new Asquith’s slender grip feels best holding it slightly further back (towards the butt cap), our fulcrum for weighing swing weight also moved slightly back.
That said, the new Asquith 6, 8, 9, and 10-weight models all have lighter swing weights than their corresponding original models.
For detailed explanations of swing weight and MOI, refer to our appendix, (at the bottom of the page).
Overall weight of blanks / Toray Nano Alloy Resin
While our tested swing weights of the new Asquith rods were heavier than the originals’, the actual blanks (before adding any components) are 3 to 9 grams lighter than their predecessors. We are told the main reason for this is from using less resin. Since the new Toray Nano Alloy particle additive makes the blanks inherently stronger, they are able to use less of it and achieve the same strength blank for which G. Loomis is known. To read more about the Toray Nano Alloy technology, scroll down to our interview with Landon Myers.
Different Shaped Cork Grip
Here lies the most apparent visual difference between the original and the new Asquith: a differently shaped (and thinner) cork grip.
If you have ever shaken Steve Rajeff’s hand, it’s easy to see where the extra-large cork grips came from on the 2016 Asquith rods. And, if you have huge hands, you’ll likely prefer the original cork grips – but for everyone else – we think the new grip is more ergonomic and comes with hidden added functions.
Opinions may vary, but we love the new grip! In fact, we think it is one of the main reasons why the new Asquith feels better than the original.
If you have a drift boat, there’s a good chance it came with NRS Carlisle oars. And for good reason – they are renowned for being durable, maintenance-free, and have a great price. But if you upgrade to a set of Sawyer oars, all of a sudden, your same drift boat feels lighter and more effortless to row.
The same can be said for the new Asquith cork grips – they simply make casting the rod feel more effortless. Although the tested swing weight and MOI are heavier on the new 7-weight Asquith, the skinnier cork grip gives the angler the sensation of wielding a lighter, more agile rod. It tricks your brain into thinking the new rod is lighter than the original. The added confidence of control certainly doesn’t hurt accuracy either!
Other Differences / New Add-ons
Click here or above to read G.Loomis' 2026 Asquith Definition
Without going into great detail of the other differences, we like them all – except of course – the increase in price. *Note, some of our staff also preferred the softer 2016 rod sock over the new stiffer rod sock. That said, we presume the new rod sock will be more durable.
CASTING NOTES
To place all this in context, we note that while the original Asquith 9’#7 was not our favorite model of the 2016 line up, nevertheless, we considered it to be one of the superior rods against all competitors. Our casting notes are intended to reflect the perceived differences between the 2016 Asquith and the 2026 model.
We cast the original and new Asquith rods head-to-head on the lawn both in Montana and again, in Florida. We set targets at 30 feet, 50 feet, and 75 feet. While a 75-foot cast is usually not required for most fishing situations, a rod that can handle this distance can also handle 40 feet with a 10-13 knot headwind, which is common whether in Livingston or on the flats.
We set up the rods with identical reels, lines, and leaders to eliminate as many variables as we could. By outfitting both rods with identical set ups we could pick one rod up, cast it at 35 feet, get a feel for it with 5-10 casts, and swap to the other rod easily. The ability to make this quick switch is the key to making rod comparisons. We’ve found the subtle differences between rods are easier to detect this way rather than fishing them, (although that part comes later too).
2026 G.Loomis Asquith 9’#7 $1,635.00
James’ Casting Notes:
First Impressions
Cool jet-black blank with a touch of glitter and shimmer. No more Shimano logo. Plain, yet elegant black reel seat. New number ID “7” on the slide band is a nice touch. New angled stripping guides, same PDV flexible snake guides as before, but this time in black. Feels light in hand, softer and faster than the 2016. The cork grip is much thinner than the original, especially towards the bottom. This creates the sensation that I can control the rod better, increasing both confidence and accuracy.
James’ Total Casting Score: 58.8 out of 60
Performance at 30 Feet: 19.5 out of 20
Faster/softer tip makes casting in close delightful with added feel and a delicate presentation, (with equal or better accuracy). Feels light in hand and more pleasant to cast than the stiffer tipped 2016 Asquith 9'#7.
Performance at 50 Feet: 20 out of 20
Similar power to the old rod, but faster and more accurate with better feel. Tighter loops, with a more forgiving / versatile power band - I can lean into it with a more aggressive casting stroke, or I can lay off and take it easy for an accurate but delicate presentation - both casting styles work well with this very adaptable rod.
Performance at 75 Feet: 19.3 out of 20
Faster and less stiff, but surprisingly easy to punch and throw long. Its crisp, clean power produces tight loops and reasonable accuracy for this distance. Not enough backbone power to pick up all the line however, I have to strip in to about 50 feet. With the original Asquith, I could pick up about 60 feet of line with a strong backward haul.
2016 G. Loomis Asquith 9’#7 $1,335.00
James’ Casting Notes:
First Impressions
Appealing reel seat with split colors, (looks "fancier" than the Asquith 2's simple black reel seat). Extremely grippy knurl on double lock rings feel sharper than the new Asquith's lock rings. Cork grip is huge in comparison, (much thicker). The first two stripping guides are straight, (rather than angled). By Comparison with the 2026 Asquith, the rod feels clunkier, slower, and more vague.
James’ Casting Total Score: 56.4 out of 60
Performance at 30 Feet: 18 out of 20
Definitely accurate but surprisingly vague in feel compared to the new Asquith. Not getting much feedback compared to the Asquith 2, and while it's still very accurate it is harder to feel the rod load and unload.
Performance at 50 Feet: 19 out of 20
I'm hitting near the plate consistently but it is requiring elevated concentration and focus compared to the Asquith 2. Grip is noticeably bigger, (in a negative way). The rod is stiffer but slower than the 2026 Asquith, requiring more power to turn over the leader and hit the target, making it more difficult to be accurate with a delicate presentation.
Performance at 75 Feet: 19.4 out of 20
More powerful than the Asquith 2, but somehow harder to harness. If you are less concerned with accuracy and are just looking for more distance, the original Asquith is great. I could see this rod performing excellent when blind dredging channels with an intermediate saltwater line, throwing long casts on a lake, or fishing streamers with a sink tip line.
2026 G.Loomis Asquith 9’#7 $1,635.00 
George’s Casting Notes:
1st Impressions
The new rod feels solid. I liked the new grip better, and it feels just right! The new rod also turns the leader over better, especially at 50 feet.
George’s Total Casting Score: 57 out of 60
Performance at 30 Feet: 19 out of 20
More feel, and better accuracy than the original Asquith.
Performance at 50 Feet: 20 out of 20
Again, better than the old Asquith, combining superb accuracy and a lot more feel.
Performance at 75 Feet: 18 out of 20
Tough for me to hit 75 feet with any accuracy.
2016 G. Loomis Asquith 9’#7 $1,335.00
George’s Casting Notes:
1st Impressions
Good power and balance but on the stiffer side for a 7-weight. The wraps are nicely done and are well finished.
George’s Total Casting Score: 55.5 out of 60
Performance at 30 Feet: 17.5 out of 20
Accurate, but the stiffer tip doesn't offer much feel, especially in close.
Performance at 50 Feet: 19 out of 20
My accuracy was not good as compared to the new Asquith, and was requiring more effort on my part to get close to the plate.
Performance at 75 Feet: 19 out of 20
More power than the new Asquith, but it was still difficult for me to hit 75 feet with any accuracy!
Fishing in Florida
The Rhino and I had planned a trip to fish with Capt. Skip Zink in Boca Grande at the end of January. After getting a feel for how the rods differed casting on the lawn, we thought this would be a good opportunity to find out how the rods performed while fishing for snook and redfish.
On the water, we would be able to see how the rods performed in close, (should a fish sneak up on us due to glare), and also how they handled at long range, (when we wanted to blind cast a good-looking ambush point). We’d be able to see which rod was better in the wind and which rod would be better at casting deep into the mangrove cuts/caves or under crab shacks and docks.
In addition, we’d be able to see how the rods played fish, although this would be more to judge pulling power than tippet protection since we were fishing 25 lb. fluorocarbon tippet.
LINES
Life is rarely perfect. Bringing the Asquith rods with us was an impromptu decision, leaving us with a handful days to prepare. As luck would have it, we were low on saltwater WF-7-F lines and didn’t have two sets of the lines we wanted to try the most: the Scientific Anglers Infinity Salt, SA Grand Slam, Rio Elite Flats Pro, and Rio Elite Bonefish. So, we went with our next best option in stock, two Scientific Anglers Bonefish Plus WF-7-F lines.
With respect to coatings, we chose a SA Magnitude Textured Bonefish Plus Clear Tip WF-7-F and a SA Amplitude Textured Bonefish Plus WF-7-F. Despite color differences, the tapers are identical, allowing us to keep an apples-to-apples approach while comparing the two rods. We spun these up on two Nautilus NVG 7/8 reels – which are still some of our all-time favorite 8-weight reels.
As somewhat expected, the SA Bonefish Plus lines were a little light on both rods. On the lawn, with a small piece of yarn tied to the leader, the rods felt pretty good. But on the water, with a weighted 4” baitfish pattern, we all felt we were working too hard to get the rods to load easily.
We didn’t give up the ship, however, and with a more aggressive casting stroke and a strong double haul we were able to make both rods perform reasonably well. But it was clear that a line with a little more grain weight and more mass would have helped to turn over our weighted snook or redfish flies.
Upon returning home, we tried a handful of lines on the 2016 Asquith 7-weight and narrowed it down to our ideal lines:
Freshwater floating: Scientific Anglers MPX WF-7-F
Freshwater sinking: Scientific Anglers Sonar I/2/3 WF-7-F
Saltwater floating: Scientific Anglers Infinity Salt WF-7-F (for more aggressive casters)
Saltwater floating: Scientific Anglers Grand Slam Salt WF-7-F (for more relaxed casters)
Saltwater sinking: Scientific Anglers Sonar Saltwater Intermediate WF-7-I
If you are on the fence for a saltwater floating line, we’d recommend the Grand Slam for most anglers. You can cast this line aggressively or relaxed where the Infinity Salt works better with a more aggressive / powerful cast.
You may notice we are partial to the Scientific Anglers brand lines. While we like many of the tapers from other manufacturers, we prefer SA lines due to their excellent tapers and superior durability. While all lines can have a "bad batch" or a defect causing the line to delaminate from the core, (or even break), we see the least returns with SA lines.
*Note: the Scientific Angler MPX taper, Infinity Salt taper, and Grand Slam taper each come in several different coatings. Our favorites include the Amplitude Smooth, Amplitude Textured, and Magnitude Smooth. Here are their corresponding prices:
- SA Mastery coating: $79.95
- SA Amplitude Smooth coating: $99.95
- SA Amplitude Textured coating: $129.95
- SA Magnitude Smooth Clear Tip: $149.95
- SA Magnitude Smooth Clear Full: $149.95
- SA Magnitude Textured Clear Tip: $179.95
- SA Magnitude Textured Clear Full: $179.95
Clear Tip vs Non-Clear Tip Lines
We already knew that the Bonefish Plus taper wasn’t ideal for either Asquith while casting a weighted 4” fly, but we were still curious if the fish would react differently to a clear tip line vs a “regular” non-clear-tip line. We discovered both lines were equally proficient at spooking fish!
In reality, we think the fish saw the movement of the rod, or the movement of our silhouette casting more than anything. As skip called out fish, we would locate them and when ready we’d let go of the leader (and fly) to make the cast. Many times, the fish spooked immediately, before the line was airborne! Shuffling our feet on the deck, or even leaning too hard one way or the other spooked fish.
We found that a poorly placed cast, (that landed too close to the fish) always blew them up. We also found, with either line, that a perfect cast, (with a good lead and delicate presentation), resulted in a follow – and if the fish was in a good mood, sometimes an eat.
We found that the Magnitude Textured Clear tip was a tiny bit “tackier” than the ultra-slick and frictionless Amplitude Textured line. This held true both on the lawn and on the water, (whether the line was dry or wet). The difference wasn’t drastic, about the same difference you’d notice from casting an allegedly “fished 3-4 times” line vs a brand-new one. Often our best casts were a result of just that – a good cast – and not a result or benefit from either coating.
Is there an advantage to the fish not seeing a clear line? It’s hard to say either way, but in the end, we all agreed it can’t hurt. We were fishing 10’ leaders, but on a really windy day, cutting that down to 6 feet would make casting a lot easier. In such cases, would the fish be able to see the end of the line? Perhaps. With a clear tip line, there would be much longer “clear section” between the fly and the colored part of the line.
Another worry we had was if we would be able to track our fly as well when using a clear tip line. We found this was also a non-issue, (at least on the relatively calm and bright days we were fishing). In lower light conditions, however, fishing a clear tip line could potentially make it harder to guess where your fly is, even for the guide who is trying to coach your retrieve. When in doubt, ask your guide what he or she prefers and go with that.
Other than the price, and being slightly less frictionless through the guides, we don’t see any down side to the clear tip lines. And in certain light conditions / fishing situations the advantage of a clear tip may very well give you the advantage to induce a strike. For what it’s worth, both of our biggest redfish were caught on the non-clear tip line.
Fishing the rods
The Asquith 2's faster tip was better
We fished three main types of water on our trip: open flats, along the edge of mangrove islands, and under crab shacks/docks. Both the original and new Asquith performed well on the open flats, but the Asquith 2 gets the edge when fishing along the mangroves or when trying to land your fly under a crab shack or dock. The 2026 Asquith’s tip made it easier to deliver our fly closer to the mangroves, especially where there were overhanging branches.
The softer tip also made accurate close shots with a more delicate presentation. This enabled us to put the fly where we wanted it with less chance of slapping the fly on the water and spooking the fish. Admittedly, this still had a lot to do with angler touch, as either rod could do it, but it felt easier and more natural with the new Asquith.
The 2026 Asquith offered better feel and accuracy, which ultimately gave us more confidence. Instead of trying to point our fly into the mangrove cuts, we were able to stop our tip high and trust that the rod would deliver a tight loop and an accurate cast anywhere we chose along the mangroves.
Confidence can be key, and no matter what rod you are fishing you should choose to believe in its ability to make the cast. Choose to trust your rod in the same way you would trust your putter on the green or trust your road bike in the apex of a corner. You’d be surprised what they can do!
The wind never really picked up over 10 mph, so we didn’t have much chance to compare the two rods in the wind. But one of the downsides to the 2026 Asquith’s softer tip was less power to pick line up off the water when we made a bad cast and went to re-cast. With the Asquith 2 we had to strip in a little longer before making another long cast. For medium casts there was virtually no difference as both rods could pick up 40 feet of line with ease.
Advantage: Asquith 2
The Cork Grips
Both grips were fine, but the Asquith 2’s skinnier grip felt easier to control and less tiring to cast. We never took advantage of sliding our hand back to get a better high stick drift, but we can see the possibility of extending your rod an extra 2-4 inches while nymphing on a river.
One thing we preferred about the skinnier grip is that it was easier to strip line in and trap the line with a “claw grip,” rather than simply stripping line under your index finger and pinching it against the cork.
Have you ever been stripping line in when the fish hits just after you have let go of the line with your stripping hand? With your casting hand, you try your best to pinch the line between your index finger and the cork, but all too often the fish pulls the line back and it’s gone.
With the claw grip, you pull in line with your stripping hand, and pinch your line with your casting hand’s index, middle finger and thumb. This triple digit grip is much stronger than a single index finger pressing against the cork. The result is when the fish hits the fly and pulls away, you are able to hold the line with your improved claw grip. Your next strip usually finishes the job and you are hooked up and tight to the fish.
You can still do the claw grip strip with the original Asquith, but the grip is so wide that your hand begins to tire. With the new Asquith, you can simply slide your hand down a bit where the cork is narrower, making repeated action a lot more comfortable and less fatiguing at the end of the day.
Advantage: Asquith 2
Fishing Streamers in Montana with a sinking line
Lastly, we were curious how the rods fished with a freshwater sinking line. Here in Montana, a 9'#7 weight is often the weapon of choice for fishing streamers. For larger streamers like the Silk Kitty, or Kill Whitey, we still prefer fishing with a 9'#8 weight. Ditto that for throwing two streamer rigs or when fishing large heavy tungsten jig streamers. But for Home Invaders, Dragons, Dungeons, Slump Busters, Leadeye Stingers, (and most sculpin patterns), a 9'#7 is perfect and less tiresome to throw all day long.
We tried a couple of different sinking lines on both rods: an Airflo Superflo Ridge 2.0 Shovel Head 280 grain, a Rio 24' 250 grain, and a SA Sonar Titan 3D Sink I/S/3 WF-7-F.
Of the lines we tried, we liked the integrated SA Sonar I/2/3 best as it cast more like a floating line, but it still got the fly down reasonably well. It also seemed to match the power of both Asquith rods. The Airflow 280 Shovelhead felt heavier than 280 grains for some reason, and worked best on the 2016 Asquith. The Rio 24’ 250 was a good match on both rods, but required a little more effort to cast, (although once you got the momentum going look out – it was flying by you)!
Whichever sinking line you choose, just get out and fish it a lot and you will get used to it. Just remember not to use too long a leader or your fly won’t get down as fast and it will be harder to cast. In general, we like a 4-6’ leader for streamer fishing, depending on the water clarity.
One advantage we felt with the original Asquith was that it had the capability of picking more line up out of the water. This was especially nice if you made a bad cast and wanted to re-cast quickly. The 2016 Asquith also had more power to roll cast a sinking line if you had no back-cast room.
Advantage: Original Asquith
Our Conclusion
We can confidently say that the 2026 Asquith 7-weight is an improvement over the well regarded original. It has a nicer, smoother feel to it with better accuracy and ample power. The softer, (and faster) blank offers more feel and versatility through the casting stroke, enabling anglers to push the rod hard when specific situations demand it, or use a more relaxed casting stroke most of the time to conserve energy.
The 2026 Asquith is more capable of delicate presentations, as well as delivering tighter loops under overhanging mangroves or docks. Likewise, the 2026 Asquith is better at delivering a salmonfly tight to the bank, under the willow branches along the banks of the Madison or Yellowstone.
The new Asquith produces impressively crisp, tight, and stable loops. The swing weight is light and the rod feels good in your hand. The 2026 Asquith has a superb balance of power and feel. We found the biggest difference was between 40-50 feet, where it felt effortless to cast and more accurate.
Since the new blank is softer, one would assume that its weakness would be distance, or throwing a sinking line. Surprisingly, the new Asquith handles 60-75 feet reasonably well, and also throws a 250-grain sinking line with ease. The 2026 Asquith offers great feel without sacrificing much power.
We said a lot about how much we like the new grip and how it advantages the caster, so we won’t repeat that here.
If we had to quantify how we rated the various attributes of the 2016 and 2026 Asquith, this table explains our preferences:
Is the Asquith 2 worth the money?
One could also ask, is a Rolex worth the money? Most would say no, and yet Rolex produces approximately 1 to 1.2 million watches annually. Is the Asquith 2 worth its exalted price? The majority of fly-fishing consumers might say no, and yet we sell out most Asquith models and must wait months for G. Loomis to supply more. So clearly, at least some anglers believe the hype.
The Asquith is a luxury item, (and like a Rolex), it performs well, is beautifully made, is a status symbol, and costs a lot. Whether to buy one or not, is, in the end, a personal, subjective choice.
If paying $1,635 for a 7-weight fly rod feels ridiculous to you, here are some of our other favorite 9’#7-weights: Scott Centric ($995), G. Loomis NRX+ ($990), Orvis Helios D ($1098), Scott Sector ($1095), Hardy Marksman ($995), Hardy Marksman Z ($1050), Douglas Sky G ($979), Winston Air 2 Max ($1295), and Sage R8 Core ($1100). Our favorite mid-priced 7-weights are the G. Loomis IMX PRO V2 ($595), Orvis Recon ($698), and St. Croix Legend Elite Salt ($650) . Our favorite inexpensive 7-weights are the Echo Boost Blue ($399.95) and Fenwick Aetos ($279.95).
OTHER ASQUITH MODELS COMPARED (FIRST IMPRESSIONS)
While the 9’#7 rods were the only models we were able to fish, we were able to cast and compare the 2016 and 2026 Asquith 9’#6, 9’#7, 9’#8, 9’#9, 9’#10, and 9’#11. Below you will see our findings.
2026 9’#6 G. Loomis Asquith 2 $1,570
The 2026 9’#6 Asquith has a very similar deflection profile to its predecessor, with the same basic shape, just a tad softer. The old 9’#6 was one of our favorites and it looks like the 9’#6 Asquith 2 will also be a top cherry picker. In close, (25-30 feet) the new rod felt much lighter, and definitely had more feel with equal and excellent accuracy. Sweeter, lighter, and tighter at 45 feet, the 2026 Asquith was effortless to cast and superbly accurate. At 50-60 feet the original Asquith had more power, but the newer version was also highly capable, making tighter loops than the original and was less prone to throwing tailing loops. It was fantastic! If you have the chance to cast one, plan on bringing your credit card, it will be needed!
Advantage: 2026 Asquith
2026 9’#8 G. Loomis Asquith 2 $1,635
Another Asquith 2 all-star. Both 8-weights had a similar deflection, but the 2026 version had a slightly softer 2nd and 3rd section, followed by a tip that starts off equally stiff, but then gets softer than the original at the end, (making it faster). The new 8-weight Asquith is lighter in overall weight and swing weight, and this was noticeable casting on the lawn, particularly in close where it had nicer feel and required less energy. At 45 feet the 2026 Asquith was equally effortless to cast and was capable of throwing tighter loops than the original. Both rods were impressively accurate. At distance the original had great power and was slightly better in the wind than the new version. That said, the Asquith 2 was no slouch. Despite being slightly softer, you can still punch it without throwing any tailing loops. Another improvement over an already near-perfect rod.
Advantage: 2026 Asquith
2026 9’#9 G. Loomis Asquith 2 $1,635
Another model with nearly identical deflections, the 2026 version was minutely faster. The 2026 tip starts off higher, (stiffer) but then crosses and ends up lower, (softer) by the end. From casting them on the lawn, the new version felt very similar to the original The biggest differences were that the new rod's swing weight felt lighter, and its thinner grip made it feel less "clubby" in hand. The slightly faster action did not sacrifice much power but helped with better feel and accuracy. If you already own the original 9'#9 Asquith - you don't need the new version as they are so close - but you might want a 2026 9'#9 because it is better.
Advantage: 2026 Asquith
2026 9’#10 G. Loomis Asquith 2 $1,750
The 10-weight is where we found the biggest difference in deflection and rod action. The 2026 9’#10 is significantly stiffer than the original and this could be felt while casting them on the lawn. The original 10-weight was not as powerful, but felt smoother and more effortless to cast. My notes on the new rod say “BEAST MODE! Feels like you have to double haul it harder to get the same cast as the old rod. Too stiff?” I could see the new Asquith being a great tarpon rod as it is pushing an 11-weight, and also great for throwing 10-weight sinking lines, (either dredging a deep saltwater channel or for pike/muskie). Sorry G. Loomis, but we actually like the original better, which has a killer blend of power and feel vs pure power.
Advantage: 2016 Asquith
2026 9’#11 G. Loomis Asquith 2 $1,750
Another close deflection in comparing the old with the new. The new 9’#11 has a stiffer tip and when casting on the lawn, this translated to more power and less of a chance to throw a tailing loop without feeling “too stiff.” The original 2016’s softer tip had less power but more feel, and was better in close (30-40 feet). I think tarpon anglers will appreciate the new Asquith’s added power, especially for landing fish quickly and on windier days.
Advantage: 2026 Asquith
An Exclusive Interview with Landon Myers, G. Loomis’ Lead Design Engineer
We spoke with Design Engineer Specialist Landon Myers about the new Asquith rods. The following is a summary of our conversation and e-mail exchange:
1. Did Steve Rajeff really cast all of the new Asquith rods? If so, did he have input on how to tweak them? (Soften the tip, stiffen the third section, etc.)?
Steve cast the version 101 and 102 blanks early on in the series during his last few weeks of full-time employment at G. Loomis. April - May 2022.
What are 101 and 102? These are two different versions of each blank set (490-4 through 1290-4) were targeted at matching the trusted action of original Asquith, with less weight using the spiral-x core technology.
Evaluations done by Steve R., Tom Larimer, Red Kulper, and Sam Kass in May 2022 at the local lake and in the G. Loomis casting grassy area.
Based on feedback from 101 and 102 evaluations, a 301 version blank was made for each SKU and delivered for more extensive regional field testing. After extensive field testing a 302 version was made for select models to provide a softer option for comparison. Final blanks were selected from version 301 and 302 blanks with the help of Steve R, Landon M, Red Kulper, Jay Beebe, and Jake Zirkle.
2. Is there any truth to using AI to plot Rajeff’s past flex points, past rod designs, past multi-taper designs?
No form of AI is used in the design of G.Loomis blanks. We archive and preserve all IP related to blank design and can compare flex points from older, trusted action to new designs on a semi-automated basis.
Part of the newly advertised TaperTec technology, (Digital tools programmed by G. Loomis engineers) uses classical mechanics of materials to visualize the bend properties of a new blank and compare it to other well-known designs. This requires engineers to qualify material properties for any new material in the library, specific geometry characteristics to feed into the program, and understand how to read program charts to make informed design choices for action and strength. The benefit of this is that we can have higher confidence in design before prototyping, thus reducing guess-and-check iteration and material waste.
3. From our testing, a couple of the new Asquith rods have stiffer tips. Is there are reason the tips got stiffer? It seems like it might be more appealing to the masses, but I’m wondering if this rod was designed for the masses?
This rod was not designed for the masses. It was designed for the advanced caster and enthusiast. These were designed with the fishing guide and fly shop employee in mind. Any person interested in the product can find joy in casting these, however, because a ½ size line up will improve the feel of these blanks to anyone with only moderate casting ability.
4. What are the advantages of the new cork grip shape?
a. There is a functional benefit to having the option of sliding the hand further down the handle for line mending, gaining a few inches of extra rod length to carry more line speed. This experience has an ergonomic that satisfies.
b. There is a distinct visual appeal that isn’t matched by any other rod on the market. This rod stands alone.
5. What are the advantages of the new angled stripping guides?
a. Lightweight Fuji titanium material.
b. Darker color to match the stealth qualities of the blank and reel seat.
6. Do any of the new Black PVD snake guides “Squeak”?
I presume that they will perform the same as other recoil snake guides on the market. If others squeak in this category, these don’t profess to be any different.
7. Are the flexible PVD snake guides titanium?
These are nitinol, aka nickel titanium, which is known for the recoil or “bounce-back” property.
8. Is the graphite / spiral X all the same?
The graphite is high performance, and is similar to original Asquith. The gains are made in the resin technology (Toray Nano Alloy). The spiral x is upgraded to spiral x core, which uses the nano alloy additive in the spiraling material.
9. What is Toray Nano Alloy technology?
Toray Nano Alloy is a particle additive to the resin, which adds stability to the matrix and improves strength to weight properties. This allows the new Asquith blank to have a lighter swing weight compared to original Asquith. This is part of the Spiral-X core technology messaging.
10. Is there graphene in it? Any different graphite to make it lighter but stronger?
There is not a graphene additive to these blanks. The lighter/stronger is due to the spiral x core upgrade mentioned above.
11. Why buy an Asquith 2 over an NRX+? ($655-$760 more)?
a. Because you want to impress your friends and enemies, or because you are a first adopter that likes to appreciate unique products and experiences.
b. NRX+ is considered more “techi” than ASQ. The new ASQ has now captured some of that tech and spirit giving a nod to that NRX+ fanatic.
c. You trust the G. Loomis brand and want to experience what a world of innovation can bring to your on-the-water experience.
d. You are a professional fishing guide that wants to elevate the experience of your clients.
e. You are a fly shop employee that enjoys the opportunity to demo new product.
12. Are people calling the new rod "Asquith 2", just "Asquith", or "2026 Asquith"? (thinking web search optimization).
This is really up to each dealer. Asquith is Asquith and we keep it separate by part number and obsoletion of older models. Various dealers are using variations such as Asquith 2, Asquith 2nd gen. G. Loomis proper uses “2026 Asquith” or “Fly-Asquith” on the search engine. Best of luck for your own SEO here, but if you want to align with G. Loomis, those would be strong options.
13. What are your line recommendations for the 2026 Asquith?
See the fly line recommendations that we put together recently. Asquith is part of this list: 
(Our apologies for our re-sizing of G.Loomis' line recommendation chart. If you are having trouble zooming in to read it, please e-mail us at staff@yellowstoneangler.com and we will send you the Excel file).
For freshwater lines, G. Loomis prefers the Rio Gold taper on the 2026 Asquith. For tropical saltwater lines, G. Loomis prefers the Rio Elite Flats Pro or the Rio Elite Bonefish (for 6-8 weights), the Rio Elite Flats Pro, the Rio Elite Bonefish, or Rio Elite Permit (for 9-10 weights), and the Rio Elite Flats Pro, Rio Elite Tarpon, or SA Amplitude Tarpon (for 11-12 weights). For coldwater salt lines, G. Loomis prefers the SA Mastery Grand Slam Coldwater or Rio Premier Coastal Quickshooter.
Warranty
You must still create an account and register your rod. Go to the G. Loomis Warranty-Services page to begin this process. (Scroll down and find the G. Loomis Rod Registration button).
If you feel your rod as broken because of a defect, send it back. Your rod will be examined, and if deemed a manufacturer defect, the broken section will be replaced with no handling fee. This option usually takes 3-4 weeks.
If broken from neglect or it is the angler's fault, (car door, tailgate, stepped on etc.), use the Xpeditor service. Usually, it is a tip section that breaks - if so, use the Tip Program, which is cheaper.
G. Loomis charges $70-94 for an extra tip depending on which model, Asquith extra tips now cost $140. You do not have to send back broken tips, (so you can order an "extra" tip this way, if you want to have a backup ready).
If you have broken any other section than the tip, use the regular Xpeditor service. If you opt for either Xpeditor Tip or regular Xpeditor service, you should have a new tip (or new rod) in less than a week. The price for Xpeditor is now 60% of your rod's retail cost. Below is a chart showing the new prices: 
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Appendix
Swing Weight Explained
If you have read any of our Shootouts the following section will be familiar to you.
The swing weight of a fly rod can be defined as the weight you feel out ahead of your hand, holding the rod horizontally. A little wiggle helps you feel swing weight in fly rods as well. A rod with a heavy swing weight requires more energy to wiggle and often feels more clunky to cast. A rod with a light swing weight is easy to wiggle, and is usually delightful and effortless to cast. Rods with lighter swing weights tend to feel more balanced in your hand. Keep in mind, the weight of your reel, line, and backing also affect your rod's overall balance.
To see exactly how we measure swing weight you can view this short video from our 2019 4-weight Shootout (running from 2:43 – 3:43). If you have a scale and a packing peanut, this test is something you can easily replicate at home.
MOI - Moment of Inertia Explained
(A more scientific method of measuring swing weight)
The heavier the MOI, the heavier the swing weight is. The original 9'#7 Asquith has a MOI of 73.5, whereas the 9'#7 Asquith 2 has a MOI of 77.4. This is not a huge difference. Many people would likely be unable to guess which rod has the lighter swing weight if you gave them both rods to wiggle.
If you are looking for a more scientific method to calculate swing weight, we recommend using Sexy Loops’ Moment of Inertia Calculator. This website allows you to enter data which uses a mathematical formula to calculate swing weight.
You’ll need to enter 4 things: 1. The weight of each section in grams, 2. The length of each section in meters, 3. The mass center of each section in meters, and 4. The total length of the rod in meters. (Don’t forget step 4 as the data field to enter this figure is on the bottom row of the calculator and not near the others).
To figure out #3, you’ll want to find the balance point of each section. We fold a business card in half, tape it to our countertop and then balance each section, finding the mass center and marking it with a pencil. Sexy Loops provides a good diagram explaining which measurement you’ll need to enter as the mass center. If you are confident that you have measured everything accurately you can choose to select the box “submit to MOI log.” Just remember to enter the name of the rod at the top.
