hardy fly rod reviews

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.

The Hardy Marksman fly rod replaces the old Ultralight as Hardy’s premier freshwater rod series. Like the Ultralight, the Marksman aims to be the lightest all-around rod on the market, incorporating their latest graphite technology and updated aesthetics. There’s no question that Hardy fans will appreciate the new Marksman’s low swing weight and finesse game, but can it really do everything from dries to streamers? Read on to learn our full impression of the new Hardy Marksman fly rod.

Hardy is no stranger to making excellent saltwater fly rods, but their last flagship saltwater series, the Zane Pro, didn’t galvanize the fly fishing community quite like their past rods. The Zane Pro wasn’t a bad rod, but perhaps a little dare-we-say ordinary. We’re here to tell you the all-new Marksman Z is anything but typical and one of the most exciting saltwater fly rods we’ve cast in a long time. If you are looking for a new high-performance eight-weight for your next salt destination trip, you will not want to miss this review.

Even If you’ve only been interested in fly fishing for a short time, you have probably heard praise for the venerable 9ft 5wt. The 905 has been touted as the go-to, do-everything utilitarian trout rod since its inception. It’s the best-selling configuration in nearly every trout and freshwater-oriented series.

However, as most reading this know, fly rods come in different sizes to serve the many fishing scenarios, anglers may face. A rod over nine feet offers many advantages, from high sticking and better line management to roll casting larger nymphs and streamers. Unfortunately, rod makers don’t always dedicate as much time designing 10ft tapers as the nine in the same series. However, we recently got to demo the 10ft 5wt Hardy Ultralite, and the results floored us. Read on to see why this could be the rod that’ll convince you to leave the 9fter in the truck.

Hardy has stepped up to the plate to deliver the Aydon, billed as a medium-action, delicate-presentation performer with a price tag nearly as light as the tippet it’s designed to protect. Sure, at $550.00, it’s a substantial jump from the much-beloved and missed Hardy Shadow. However, in today’s marketplace, and considering there aren’t many options in the Aydon’s class, it could prove to be an excellent value. Read on to see if the Aydon can deliver the performance of rods twice its price.

Hardy’s Ultralite LL rods are a ‘light line’ series loosely lumped together for various ‘long leader’ fishing applications with the competition angler in mind. Everything from Euro nymphing to technical dry fly fishing is covered. The 9’9” 4wt falls into the latter category, and it’s one of the more unique rods we’ve ever tested. If you are interested in learning more about what makes this rod stand out and if it deserves a place in the quiver, you will not want to miss this review.

The allure of leaving overcrowded and overfished rivers behind for more tranquil settings has piqued the interest of a new generation of anglers. The fly fishing industry has taken note, and The SR enters a growing field of fly rods designed for small stream applications. Going into this review, we questioned whether the rod offered anything different from others in its category. After all, $825 is a good amount for a specialized tool, and it is hard to reinvent the creek rod wheel. If you have similar questions and find yourself in the market for a new rod for your next blue line adventure, you will not want to miss this review.

The Ultralite X is unlike anything else in the Ultralite family tree. Hardy designed the Ultralite X to be a high-performance machine capable of tackling the harshest conditions, the largest flies, sinking lines, and predatory fish.

Hardy is no stranger to producing great saltwater fly rods. The Zane Pro’s predecessor, the Zephrus Salt, was especially well-received by the anglers who had the opportunity to fish them. Read on to see if the Zane Pro stands out in a crowded market filled with exceptional 8wts geared for the flats fanatics.

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.