Hardy Demon Smuggler Fly Rod Review
Hardy has made a rod for the frequent traveler, a rod that fits in your back pocket. Well, almost. The new Demon Smuggler 6-piece fly rod from Hardy is made for carry-on luggage and extreme packability. Usually, a 6-piece fly rod means extra weight, less power, and decreased accuracy. This Demon Smuggler is quite the opposite, however. We are thoroughly impressed with the performance of the Demon Smuggler, especially in the 6-piece fly rod category. Read on to find out why.
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Outfit
- Hardy Demon Smuggler 9’ 5wt 6-piece Fly Rod
- Lamson Litespeed Fly Reel
- Scientific Anglers Mastery MPX Fly Line
Fit and Finish
The Demon Smuggler is a 6-piece fly rod. This means the rod tube is incredibly small and packable, perfect for backpacking trips or carry-on luggage. The rod also sports an aluminum double uplocking reel seat that is highly functional, lightweight, but not quite as pretty as the reel seats on the Zephrus, Wraith, and other high-end rods. The reel seat blends nicely into a reversed half wells cork grip. The Demon Smuggler is well-constructed, has alignment dots, and is finished with nice componentry. The rod is missing Hardy’s titanium guides that are present on most of the higher-end rods. The single foot guides on the Demon Smuggler are practical, however, and contribute to the rod’s lightweight makeup.
Weight
The entire Demon Smuggler rod weighs 3.4 ounces. That’s insanely light for a 6-piece fly rod with two extra joints. The lightweight construction of this rod is a true technological achievement for Hardy. This achievement is part of the reason the Demon Smuggler is an industry-leader in 6-piece fly rod performance.
Distance
The Demon Smuggler performs well at distance. Energy and power transfer down the blank at distances beyond 60 feet to provide good casting accuracy. While the accuracy of the Demon Smuggler at long distance isn’t quite as good as other high-priced 4-piece fly rods, for a 6-piece fly rod that fits in your suitcase, the Demon Smuggler has mind-blowing accuracy in this 60-foot range.
Accuracy
Sort of surprisingly, the Demon Smuggler has superior accuracy at 30 feet. This rod may be the best 5wt we’ve cast at this distance, regardless of make. That’s saying something. Accuracy at 45 feet, however, is a slightly different story; the medium-fast action of the rod requires a slow casting stroke at middle trout distances. After making an adjustment, however, and slowing down our casting tempo, we found that the rod maintains its accuracy at 45 feet.
Flex and Feel
The Demon Smuggler is a rod with a medium-fast action. The rod’s action means it’s more challenging to cast at long distances. A slower casting stroke is required when bombing a cast across the river with the Demon Smuggler. That being said, energy transfers really well down the blank at these longer distances and the rod’s strength and power are apparent. This increased power comes from Sintrix Technology; Sintrix Technology and a 3M nano resin from Hardy make this rod more powerful, lighter, and more caster-friendly than any other 6-piece fly rod on the market.
Line Choice
Scientific Anglers Mastery MPX.
Warranty
Hardy Worldwide Extended Warranty
Price
$649
Conclusion
It’s pretty obvious why we like the Hardy Demon Smuggler so much. Hardy has designed this rod to be extremely versatile, packable, and lightweight without sacrificing performance. Hardy’s incredible technology is part of the reason this rod boasts such high-performance. Whether you’re backpacking into the mountains, traveling to fish trout or bonefish, or just taking a casual family vacation, the Demon Smuggler is a must-have fly rod. Aptly named, this rod will help you smuggle high-performance wherever you go.
Pros
- Lightweight 6-piece design
- Superb accuracy at all distances
Cons
- Medium-fast action means casting at distance takes some getting used to
Required on urgent basis plz
Besides being extremely well made, the rod casts and fishes wonderfully, and have made it my everyday trout rod. In fact, I was so impressed with this rod that I also invested in the 9' #8 and 9' #6. The 8-weight feels incredibly light in hand, casts effortlessly. It is my favorite 8wt. I don't have as much use for a 6wt, but I fish enough different water around the country that I don't like being without one; and as with the 5wt, it's also a pleasure to cast.
Like Ben, I have cast a myriad of rods and can tell pretty quickly when a rod just works, and the Demon Smuggles just work.
As for lines, I've paired the 5wt with SA Frequency Boost and SA GPX. The 6wt works quite well with Orvis Hydros Bass and SA Frequency Magnum. For the 8wt, I use Orvis Saltwater All-rounder and 7wt Rio Grand (which is really an 8wt line).
Don't overlook these rods just because they're six-piece, because they cast better than most four-piece rods.
Larry
All that being said.. this isn’t the rod to chuck meat long distance, or send heavy rigs upwind (in my experience.)
Build quality and aesthetics are great. Packability is an enormous plus, as it fits in my GR3 pack or small rolling PelicanAir case for travel.
If you’re considering this rod as a dedicated travel rod, or even a daily rod that will also pack up well for hike-ins when the opportunity arises.. I’d highly recommend it.
Great, accurate review by Ben.
but i am LOOKING for the test with the modell
Hardy Demon Smuggler „ 2-Hand-Rod“
Even this rod has some years, it is still my "Go To" rod for fishing at the cost.
It is easy to cary and the casting is so easy even in windy conditions.