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The Hardy Marksman has proven itself to be one of the most popular premium freshwater rods of 2024. When we reviewed the 9’ 5wt, we were impressed with its low swing weight and pinpoint accuracy for what is widely considered to be a softer presentation rod. Now we’re taking it a step further and breaking down the full Marksman lineup, shedding light on the lesser-known models in this 15-rod series. Whether you’re targeting spring creek Trout, Great Lakes Steelhead, or back slough Pike, there’s a Hardy Marksman model to fit your needs, and we’re here to tell you all about it. Keep reading for our full thoughts on the Hardy Marksman fly rod series, including each model’s best uses, recommended line pairings, and which model impressed us most.

8' 3wt

If you’ve kept up with our model-by-model reviews, you know we’re suckers for shorter 3-weight rods, and the 803 Marksman did not disappoint. In true 3wt fashion, this rod feels almost weightless in hand. Its softer feel lends itself to loading in close for short casts within 30 feet. Paired with a true-to-weight line like the Rio Technical Trout, it casts smooth and maintains a bit of backbone to throw longer casts if needed. Overall, the 8’ 3wt Marksman is the perfect small stream companion for tight quarters and delicate dry flies. One minor drawback is the cork handle; a slightly thinner one would enhance its lightweight responsiveness.

Lines: Rio Technical Trout Elite, Rio Gold Elite

Best Uses: Small stream trout, dry flies, spring creeks, finesse presentation

8' 4wt

The stubby 4wt Marksman is definitely one of our favorites in the series. It features the best of a creeker rod: soft and soulful, but with enough crisp power to throw a longer tight loop when necessary. It's an ideal choice for dry/dropper fishing small to medium sized creeks, or even swinging buggers and soft hackles for edgy tailwater trout. If you need the ultimate tippet protection, you might consider the 8’ 3wt over this model, but for overall casting and fishing versatility, the 4wt takes the cake. We liked it with the Rio Gold, but it casts a Rio Technical Trout quite well within 30’.

Lines: Rio Gold Elite, Rio Technical Trout Elite

Best Uses: Small-water all-arounder, dry flies, dry/droppers, small streamers

9' 4wt

The 904 Marksman signifies a major shift in rod action compared to the 8’ models. Whereas the 8-footers are tuned for small streams and dry flies with true-to-weight lines, the 9’ 4wt is noticeably faster, requiring a more assertive casting stroke and heavier lines to load it at close and middle distances. This is a great tool for anglers who need a lightweight rod that matches a quicker casting tempo. For the best results at close distances, pair it with a Rio Grand or an SA Creek Trout. For targets beyond 40’, a Rio Gold is a solid option. This is a deadly rod for casting bushy dries or dry/dropper rigs accurately into pockets on small to medium sized rivers.

Lines: SA Amplitude Creek Trout

Best Uses: Trout all-arounder, dry flies, dry/droppers, small streamers, light nymphing

10' 4wt

As we progress into the 10’ models, things start to get a little more niche in terms of fishing applications, and that’s precisely why we write these model-by-model reviews. To put it simply: the 10’ Hardy Marksmans are not parking lot rods, they are purpose-built fishing tools. The 1004 offers a much softer feel than its 9’ counterpart, which is to be expected of a rod designed to blur the lines of a euro nymphing rod and an all-around trout weapon. Although it wouldn’t be my top choice for a Hardy euro rod (the Ultralight LL is a fantastic euro nymphing rod), the 10’ 4wt Marksman is suited to handle long mono rigs, and will give you an advantage over the Ultralight LL when fishing at a greater distance, or in breezy conditions. Its greatest strength, however, is in lightweight indicator nymphing, offering the reach needed for mending and high-sticking, while maintaining enough backbone to cast fly line, nymphs, and split shot. This would be an excellent choice for highly pressured Colorado tailwaters like the Fryingpan or Taylor Rivers, as it offers plenty of tippet protection but still has the backbone to be versatile. We like this rod with a true-to-weight line, like SA Amplitude Trout.

Lines: SA Amplitude Trout

Best Uses: Lightweight indicator nymphing, euro nymphing, dry/droppers, swinging wets

8’6” 5wt

If your ideal day of trout fishing involves a box of dry flies and picking apart technical water one seam at a time, this stubby 5wt Marksman may just be your dream rod. This rod delivers exceptional accuracy within the 25-40 ft casting range. It's a bit stiffer than you might expect, lending itself to a peppy casting stroke or a more aggressively weighted line, like SA MPX. If I were going to throw dries all day from a drift boat on the Madison, this is the rod I would choose. Its only drawback? It might be a little finicky for beginner casters. For intermediate to advanced trout anglers, this is a mid-range sniper that feels lightweight and sporty.

Lines: SA Amplitude MPX, Rio Gold Elite

Best Uses: Technical dry flies, drift boat fishing, smaller streamers, terrestrials, dry/droppers

9’ 5wt

Like its 8’6” counterpart, the 905 Marksman is a remarkably lightweight and accurate dry fly tool. Compared to other premium trout rods such as the Orvis Helios F and the Scott Centric, the Marksman 905 is a bit softer and more tuned for delicate presentations. That’s not to say it can’t handle a nymph rig or a streamer, but it’s not a powerhouse designed for all-day chucking - for that type of work I’d grab the 9’ 7wt Marksman. Overall, the 905 Marksman is a sweetheart presentation rod that’s ideal for medium-sized rivers and lighter rigs. Pair it with a Rio Gold or an SA Amplitude Trout for effortless casting at working distances of 30-50 feet.

Check out our full review of the Hardy Marksman 9’ 5wt HERE.

Lines: SA Amplitude Trout, Rio Gold Elite

Best Uses: Technical dry flies, terrestrials, dry/droppers, light nymphing, smaller streamers

10’ 5wt

Remember when we mentioned that some rods just aren’t parking lot rods? The 10’ 5wt Marksman is a great example of that. This is a fishing tool designed for float-tube fishing in lakes, indicator fishing with long leaders, and even euro nymphing or mono rig dry/droppers. With heavier rigs, the rod loads deeper into the blank and gives you plenty of power for roll casts and throwing open loops. When casting fly line at a distance, you’ll need Rio Gold and a slower casting stroke to get the most out of the action. Although this softer 10-footer won’t appeal to a majority of anglers, it will be a go-to rod for many anglers in the UK, New Zealand, and the alpine lakes of Patagonia.

Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Indicator, Rio Elite Indicator, Rio Gold Elite

Best Uses: Indicator nymphing, euro nymphing, dry/droppers, smaller anadromous species, light single-hand spey

9’ 6wt

After years of guiding from a drift boat in Colorado, few things are more enjoyable than pounding the banks with terrestrials for aggressive Brown Trout, and the 906 Marksman is perfectly suited for this type of fishing. We tried SA MPX and found it to be a fantastic pairing for working distances of 30-50 feet. It is a tad softer than the (amazing) T&T Avantt II 6wt, so I’d call this more of a hopper or dry/dropper rod rather than a streamer/nymph 6wt. That being said, it has the reserve power to throw coneheads and split shot, or cut through the wind when needed. If you’re looking for an extremely light 6wt for throwing foamy hoppers or stonefly dries out west, this is a winner.

Lines: SA Amplitude MPX

Best Uses: Terrestrials, drift boat fishing, windy conditions, indicator nymphing, streamers

9’6” 6wt

The 966 Marksman is going to be a winner with our friends in the UK, as it’s primarily designed for loch-style fishing, with some crossover into swinging wet flies. For making longer casts of 60+ feet, Rio Gold and SA Infinity perform quite well. For swinging smaller to medium-sized rivers, SA MPX loads the rod nicely and turns over rigs in gusty conditions. Although this unique rod could be put to work on a drift boat for indicator nymphing or tossing big hoppers, it’s best suited for its home waters in the UK, and their customary lake techniques.

Lines: Rio Gold Elite, SA Amplitude Infinity, SA Amplitude MPX

Best Uses: Loch-style fishing, lakes, swinging wet flies, light single-hand spey, smaller anadromous species

10’ 6wt

Of the 10’ rods in the Marksman series, the 10’ 6wt is arguably the most versatile rod. It features a powerful butt section that can muscle sinking lines and big flies into rivers and lakes, while also offering a forgiving tip that can delicately present a floating line and a soft hackle. We found the SA MPX or the Rio Grand to pair very well, especially if you’ll be throwing bigger flies or heavily weighted streamers and nymphs. For lighter or long-distance presentations, stick with an SA Infinity or Rio Gold. If your fishing involves stillwater trout & bass, indicator nymphing, and swinging/skating dries downstream to smaller anadromous species, the 1006 Hardy Marksman is a heck of an option that can do it all quite well.

Lines: SA Amplitude MPX, SA Amplitude Infinity

Best Uses: Stillwater fishing, indicator nymphing, single-hand spey, smaller anadromous species

9’ 7wt

The 907 Hardy Marksman is all about speed. This is a noticeable step up in stiffness from the 906, making it the dedicated streamer stick within the series. This 7wt pairs well with an SA MPX or Rio Smallmouth Bass line and is powerful enough to handle throwing big flies into strong winds. For beginner casters, an SA Titan Taper will load the rod in close, but at the expense of delicacy. The only noteworthy drawback to the 907 is its increased swing weight compared to the rest of the series. Certainly not a dealbreaker for me, but casting a boogle bug all day might get tiring. On the bright side, the 7wt Marksman could easily cross over into light saltwater duty for Bonefish, and stillwater anglers can employ the 907 for stripping leeches and baitfish on windy lakes. This is a very versatile rod for anglers who crossover between disciplines, just be prepared for a bit of noticeable weight compared to the other featherweight rods in the lineup.

Lines: SA Amplitude MPX, Rio Elite Smallmouth Bass

Best Uses: Streamers, Poppers, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, windy lake fishing, light saltwater

9’6” 7wt

The 9’6” 7wt may be a Great Lakes Steelhead’s worst nightmare. This rod has a very similar action to the 907, but its added length makes it a great option for indicator nymphing and single-hand spey techniques. It overhead casts brilliantly with an SA MPX, but for the aforementioned uses I’d opt for an SA Anadro Indicator line. If you’ve been fishing a 9’ 8wt on the Great Lakes tributaries for years, you’d be remiss not to give this rod a try this season - you’ll cover more water with less effort, which means more fish to the net. I’d also highly consider this rod for lake fishing with a heavy team of nymphs, as it has the stiffness and reach to make casting and line control easier. Overall, a very practical design that I anticipate will be a go-to for many midwest Steelhead anglers.

Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Indicator, Rio Elite Indicator, SA Amplitude MPX

Best Uses: Indicator nymphing, single hand spey, lakes

10’ 7wt

Another niche rod, the 10’ 7wt Hardy Marksman is built for long distance lake fishing, sinking lines, and single-hand spey fishing for Steelhead and Salmon on larger rivers. This rod will be a game changer for anglers in the UK as well as the Pacific Northwest - especially those who crossover between stillwater and rivers. This rod is fast and boasts very quick recovery. It handles an SA Titan taper very well, which makes sense for lake fishing when an extra 10 feet means getting your flies over the shelf. You could also pair the 1007 Marksman with an SA Anadro or Rio Indicator line if you’re nymphing with heavy split shot. The only drawback: it feels a little heavy compared to the other 10-footers. If you’re swinging, this probably won’t bother you much, but it could be a deciding factor if you do lots of blind overhead casting.

Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Indicator, SA Sonar Titan Full Intermediate

Best Uses: Stillwater, single hand spey, Steelhead, Salmon, Pike indicator nymphing

9’6” 8wt

When we send our travel customers to the Skeena watershed to target Steelhead and Salmon, we always give them the option to bring along a single-hand rod in addition to their spey setups. The Marksman 968 would be a great choice for this type of fishing: indicator nymphing and single-hand spey in larger rivers where you’re likely to encounter some seriously hot fish. Other ideal areas for this powerful nymphing rod would be; Alaska, Great Lakes tributaries, big southern Striped Bass tailwaters, coastal Atlantic Salmon rivers, and even Tierra Del Fuego. In addition to its nymphing and swinging prowess, it will throw a bushy dry fly surprisingly well on an SA MPX. This is a versatile powerhouse that overhead casts as well as it roll casts, and isn’t as heavy as a 10-footer.

Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Indicator, Rio Elite Indicator, SA Amplitude MPX

Best Uses: Indicator nymphing, single hand spey, lakes, anadromous fish, windy conditions

10’ 8wt

When you need to combine maximum reach with maximum power, the Marksman 10’ 8wt is a very solid choice. I’d pick this rod for similar situations as the 1007; nymphing and swinging big rivers, lake fishing for Pike and big Trout, and throwing long rigs into the wind. It would be an excellent rod for Jurassic Lake or the gigantic Cutthroat of Pyramid Lake in Nevada. While the action is very similar to the 10’ 7wt, choosing between the two might just come down to personal preference. In most cases, the 7wt will feel lighter and allow for extended fishing hours free from arm fatigue. I believe the actual weight difference of the two rods is minimal, however the grip on the 8wt is simply a bit small and short, which forces the caster to grip tighter when overhead casting. Overall, I think of the 10’ 8wt more as a switch rod than a dedicated single-hander. It’s a beast that's designed to tame big fish in harsh conditions.

Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Indicator, SA Sonar Titan Full Intermediate

Best Uses: Stillwater, single hand spey, Steelhead, Salmon, Pike, indicator nymphing

Favorite Rod:

The Hardy Marksman Fly Rod series is incredibly solid from top to bottom, so choosing a favorite was tough. Depending on your fishing scenario, one rod may fit your needs better than others. That being said, I’m partial to throwing dry flies when conditions allow, and the 8’6” 5wt takes the crown in that department. It’s disgustingly accurate and light, and for someone who likes a peppy rod, this is one of the quickest of the lighter models. Honorable mentions go to the 9’6” rods in the series: all of which were determined to be extremely versatile, especially for those who mix stillwater and river fishing.

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