Every year, George Anderson, owner of the Yellowstone Angler in Livingston, Montana, assemble a list of the best 5-weight rods, broken into two categories: presentation and performance, available on the market and put them head-to-head against each other. This annual list is an amazing reference point for anglers looking to upgrade their 5-weight, and the insights provided by the list are far worth a read for anyone looking to pick one up. The team at the shop goes into insane detail to show exactly how these rods perform, using the same reel and line in every test. Yellowstone Anglers’ half-century of fly shop and fly rod experience makes these annual lists invaluable.
32, 5-weight rods entire, two leave. That’s how the Shootout works.
For full results and in-depth discussion of reach rod, check out the Shootout’s page, here.
This Year’s Entrants (Alphabetical):
Presentation: Rods “more suited to fishing dry flies that give you the ultimate in accuracy, delicacy, and presentation.”
Beulah Platinum G2 – $550
Douglas Outdoors Sky G 9 – $795
Fenwick AETOS – $199.95
G. Loomis NRX + LP – $795
Hardy Shadow – $359.95
Hardy Zephrus – $699
Orvis Helios 3F – $898
Sage Trout LL – $800
Scott G Series – $845
Thomas & Thomas Paradigm – $875
Winston Air – $975
Power: Rods “that have the strength to cast more wind resistant dries, and also chuck nymphs with indicators, and even small streamers with ease.”
Beulah Guide Series II – $295
Douglas DXF – $395
Echo Base – $99.99
Echo Trout – $349.99
Fenwick Fenlite Streamflex – $339.95
G. Loomis NRX + – $795
G. Loomis Asquith – $1,100
Loop 7S Medium Fast – $950
Orvis Clearwater – $198
Orvis Recon – $498
Orvis Helios 3D – $898
Sage Foundation – $325
Sage X – $900
Scott Radian – $795
St. Croix Imperial – $300
Taylor Anomaly -$559
Taylor Truth – $649
TFO BVK – $259.95
Thomas & Thomas Avantt – $845
Thomas & Thomas Zone – $499
Winston Alpha – $935
To find out which 5-weights took home the top rung in each category, check out the Shootout results on the Yellowstone Angler’s page, here!
