Douglas DXF Fly Rod Review

Dec 12, 2018 · 3 min read

Douglas Outdoors, founded by Jim Murphy, is a relatively new company. Located in upstate New York, Douglas is run by folks with years of rod-making experience and expertise. This expertise is combined with incredible state-of-the-art technology to produce affordable fly rods. One such rod is the Douglas DXF. The DXF is a new, mid-priced rod series from Douglas that exemplifies quality and affordability. The DXF combines a fast-action rod blank with classic Douglas componentry to provide a high-quality mid-priced rod. Read on to find out more about the DXF.
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Outfit

- Douglas DXF 9’ 5wt Fly Rod

- Lamson Litespeed Fly Reel
- Scientific Anglers Mastery MPX Fly Line

Fit and Finish

The fit and finish of the DXF are classic and regal. The rod has a double uplocking reel seat that promotes functionality and quality. The reel seat leads into a burled wood insert. The handle of the DXF is made with high-quality cork and features a reversed half wells grip. The rod’s fast action teal/green rod blank adds style to the DXF. Similarly, the hard chrome stripping guides, hard chrome snake guides, and alignment dots add functionality. The fit and finish of the DXF promote a 5wt trout rod style we all know and love.

Weight

The DXF is light for a 5wt rod, weighing in at around 3 ounces. As a result, this decreased weight adds to the rod’s castability and versatility. The DXF's swing weight is respectable, too, at 65.6 gm2.

Distance

This rod isn’t a distance champion. While the fast-action blank and progressive taper give this rod some power and strength at longer distances, the rod loses a bit of accuracy beyond 60 feet. That’s not to say an angler won’t be able to make a hero cast or two over the course of a day on the water. However, if you plan on casting 60+ feet all day long, this may not be the rod for you.

Accuracy

The accuracy of the DXF is impressive at 45 feet. As expected when casting fast-action rods, the DXF isn’t the MOST accurate rod at 30 feet, but it’s not the least accurate, either. The rod carries its moderate accuracy to the 60-foot distance. This certainly isn’t the most accurate rod we’ve ever cast, but we don’t expect a mid-priced rod to win casting competitions. Overall, the DXF is accurate enough to get a fly in front of a trout at most distances.

Flex and Feel

The DXF is built as a high-performance, fast-action rod. As a result, a soft tip and more progressive rod action mean the DXF does alright at 30 feet. Because the rod is designed as a fast-action rod, we don’t see a ton of feedback at close distances. What the DXF lacks at close distances, it makes up for at 45 feet. At 45 feet, the rod’s line speed is apparent and its performance is top-notch. Move the rod back to 60 feet, and it maintains its feedback and feel, although lacks some of the power we’re used to in higher-priced rods.

Line Choice

Scientific Anglers Mastery MPX.

Warranty

Lifetime, Original Owner Fly Rod Warranty

Price

$349

Conclusion

The DXF is a solid rod, especially at its price point. Douglas created the DXF to do a lot of things well, and they were successful in that mission. Intuitively, the DXF does not perform as well as many higher-end rods, like the Hardy Zenith or the Hardy Zephrus. That being said, the progressive taper, quality componentry, and mid-range accuracy of the DXF make it a viable option for a wide spectrum of anglers. Want to upgrade to a more expensive, higher-performance rod from Douglas? Check out the Douglas Sky.

Pros

- Price point
- Accuracy and performance in the middle distance ranges

Cons

- Lacks feel at closer distances
- Lacks power and accuracy at really long distances

Written by

Chandler Crans

Chandler Crans is a fly fishing expert and a former guide in Alaska. Whether he's reviewing the latest rods and reels, writing about where to fish, or helping a first-time angler pick the right fly line, Chandler combines real guiding experience with deep product knowledge and a genuine love of being on the water.

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