Lamson Guru Fly Rod Review
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The Lamson Guru has long been a fan-favorite fly reel, and now Lamson has unveiled a fly rod with the same name. Like its reel counterpart, the Lamson Guru fly rod represents the intersection of value and performance in a no-frills package. Read on to see who the Guru fly rod is designed for, how it performs, and whether it's worth buying in 2024. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Lamson products or you are in the market for an affordable new rod, this review will help you make an informed decision free of marketing hype.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Solid bang-for-your-buck at under $250
- Lightweight swing weight at only 62gm2
- Surprisingly accurate at key trout distances of 30-45’
Cons
- Ergonomics: the Ritz style grip is too thin and short for average or larger hands
- Not a distance champ, it felt sloppy at 60’
- Standard overseas build and componentry
Who It’s For
The Lamson Guru fly rod is a great choice for beginner or intermediate anglers who want a versatile rod at a reasonable price. Its moderately fast action is great for close-range shots and middle-distance presentations. It can do everything from throwing small dries on a spring creek to nymphing heavy rigs on larger tailwaters. Advanced anglers however may prefer a bit faster rod that can throw tight, accurate loops at longer distances. If you need a versatile freshwater rod for an attainable price, the Guru was built with you in mind. Those who need pinpoint precision at long range should consider investing in premium graphite.
Outfit
Lamson Guru Fly Rod
Lamson Guru S HD Fly Reel
Scientific Anglers Amplitude MPX Fly Line
Fit & Finish
Like most rods in the sub-$300 price range, the Lamson Guru looks clean and simple, but it certainly isn’t a head-turner. Aside from its standard componentry, the first thing we noticed was the modified Ritz grip - an old school cork shape that is rarely seen in modern rod designs. While anglers with smaller hands might like this shape, we found it to be uncomfortably narrow and awkwardly short, resulting in a rod that feels heavier than it actually is. We applaud Lamson for trying something different, but it feels like a swing and a miss. On the bright side, it features a hook keeper which is a small feature that we appreciate. The blank’s painted gray color looks quite similar to the paint job on the Orvis Clearwater, it’s clean but somewhat bland.
Distance
For Trout and Bass anglers who mostly cast within 30-45 feet, the Lamson Guru loads quite well with an SA MPX fly line. Beyond 45 feet, however, the rod feels a bit sloppy and does better with a Rio Gold for all-day distance work. The longer distances also accentuated the small cork handle, forcing you to grip the rod harder. After even a handful of 60-foot casts, we could feel muscle fatigue because of the cork shape. Overall, it's not designed for long-distance casting, but it can handle it with the proper line pairing - just beware that the ergonomics will make it tough to throw all day. For key Trout distances, however, the Guru will make a fine rod for beginner casters who need to feel the rod load.
Accuracy
We usually don’t expect great accuracy in entry-level trout rods, but the Lamson Guru held its own at close and medium distances. Novice anglers will feel confident hitting spots out to 45 feet with reasonable accuracy whether throwing dries, streamers, or nymphs. Beyond 50 feet, accuracy gets dicey as tip wobble is accentuated, but like we mentioned in the distance category, the Guru wasn’t designed for long range performance. Although the Guru won’t compare to the extremely accurate snipers like the Orvis Helios and the Scott Centric, it's ready to tackle everyday fishing scenarios for a majority of anglers.
Flex & Feel
The Lamson Guru is a medium-fast action, tip-flex rod offering a nice balance of feel and performance for its price point. Like many modern tip flex rods, it's very lightweight - but for a value rod it is surprisingly light! At 62gm2 the Guru has the same swing weight as the Scott Centric ($945). Unfortunately though, the Guru just doesn’t feel super light, mainly because of its stubby Ritz cork which forces you to grip the rod further down toward the butt. All that being said, we must applaud Lamson for offering a featherweight rod at a budget-oriented price, and we hope they improve the cork design for future generations.
Warranty
Value
Price: $249.99
We know the importance of solid fly fishing gear at reasonable prices. Having lived the eat-sleep-fish dirtbag life ourselves, our staff is just as interested in rods that cost $250 as rods that cost over $1,000. That being said, the Lamson Guru fly rod immediately piqued our interest because we already trust and adore value products like the Liquid and Guru fly reels. Fortunately, Lamson didn’t let us down with the Guru fly rod. This is an excellent rod for the price - a tool that can handle a multitude of fishing applications and will instill confidence in novice and intermediate anglers.
Conclusion
We originally predicted it would be tough for Lamson to establish themselves as a fly rod company, as they already have a great reputation as a fly reel company. After reviewing the Lamson Guru, however, they may be onto something. The Guru fly rod checks all the boxes we’d expect from a solid value rod: it performs decently well, it looks clean but not overly flashy, and its price is attainable. What’s more, the Guru is also surprisingly lightweight. And while we didn’t love everything about it, like the odd choice of a Ritz style cork, we found it to be a solid rod overall - especially for beginner and intermediate anglers. If you’re looking for a well-rounded freshwater rod for under $300, the Lamson Guru is definitely worth consideration.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Lamson Guru fly rod, feel free to call us at 888-413-5211 or email us at [email protected]
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