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The G. Loomis Asquith 2 arrived with one specification that immediately dominated the conversation: price. The 9-foot 8-weight costs $1,635, making it one of the most expensive production graphite fly rods on the market. At that price, “pretty good” is not going to cut it.
Fortunately, the Asquith 2 is much better than pretty good. The 8wt we tested is exceptionally light in hand, powerful without feeling lifeless, and surprisingly intuitive at the 30- to 50-foot distances that matter most on a bonefish flat. It also has the speed to deliver a fly much farther when the cast and caster are up to the task.
Does it cast twice as well as a great $800 rod? No. Performance does not scale quite that neatly with price. But the Asquith 2 is absolutely a great fly rod, and in heavier line weights where fatigue, confidence, and one-shot performance become especially important, its case gets much stronger.
Our Fly Rod Testing Methodology
The Trident Fly Fishing testing process combines a tabletop inspection with measured swing weight and controlled casting at multiple distances. We evaluate components, grip quality, workmanship, accuracy, power, recovery, and overall feel before bringing everything together in our Poseidon Score.
For this review, we tested the 9-foot 8-weight with a Scientific Anglers Bonefish line at 40, 60, and 80 feet. We also paid particular attention to the 30- to 50-foot range, where many real-world shots at bonefish, redfish, and other flats species actually happen.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptionally light and responsive in hand
- Excellent feel and accuracy at practical flats distances
- Fast recovery and ample power for long casts
- Strong lineup from 4-weight through 12-weight, with especially compelling 10- and 11-weight models
Cons
- The 8-weight costs $1,635
- Less forgiving of imperfect timing than several premium competitors
- Cork, reel seat, and small finishing details do not feel unquestionably best-in-class
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Its performance advantage over much less expensive rods is incremental, not transformational
Who It’s For
The Asquith 2 is for experienced anglers who want a very light, fast-action rod and have the casting skill to take advantage of it. In the 8-weight, it is a versatile saltwater tool for bonefish, redfish, permit, and other flats species. It feels particularly good when quick, accurate shots in the 30- to 50-foot range are more valuable than winning a parking-lot distance contest.
The 10- and 11-weight models may be the real sweet spot. On a trip to the Seychelles or anywhere else giant trevally and other serious saltwater fish are on the menu, a lighter rod can reduce fatigue and help an angler stay sharp for the one shot that matters. When the trip already costs several times more than the rod, paying for every possible advantage becomes easier to understand.
This is not our first recommendation for a developing caster or a value-focused buyer. The Asquith 2 rewards precise timing and exposes mistakes, especially at longer distances. Anglers who want more forgiveness can find excellent alternatives for considerably less money.
Outfit
G. Loomis Asquith 2 9’ 8wt Fly Rod
SA Magnitude Bonefish Fly Line
Fit & Finish
The Asquith 2 uses G. Loomis’ Spiral X Core construction, with blanks rolled in Japan and rods built in Woodland, Washington. On the 8-weight, the build starts with a modest fighting butt and a double uplocking anodized aluminum reel seat with CI4+ inserts. The upper hood is custom shaped and fits naturally in the hand, although the lower locking band is not keyed and can rotate freely. That is perfectly functional, but it is also common on rods costing a fraction of this one.
The full-wells grip has the familiar G. Loomis profile, with a relatively narrow diameter below the swell. The shape will be a matter of preference. Cork quality is very good, although not the cleanest we have seen from premium builders such as Winston.
The blank is so dark that it reads as black in most light, with subtle gray-blue wraps and faint signs of the Spiral X construction visible up close. Two titanium SiC stripping guides lead into PVD Recoil snake guides, creating a light, corrosion-resistant guide train suited to saltwater use.
Overall workmanship is excellent, but the Asquith 2 does not sweep every category. The lack of alignment dots is a small omission, yet on a $1,635 rod even the small omissions become easier to notice. At this price, you are allowed to be picky. In fact, you have paid for the privilege.
Flex & Feel
The Asquith 2 is a fast-action rod with quick recovery and substantial reserve power, but it is not a joyless broomstick. The tip provides enough feedback to make short casts feel connected, while the mid and butt sections generate the line speed needed for wind and distance.
Its measured swing weight of 78 gm² is very light for a 9-foot 8-weight. The lightest rods in the category come in around 71 to 72 gm², so the Asquith 2 does not rewrite the laws of physics, but it feels lively and easy to move. That matters during a full day on the bow, when an extra false cast here and there eventually adds up.
30 to 40 feet: This was the most pleasant surprise. Many fast saltwater rods feel vague in close, but the Asquith 2 loads readily and provides excellent feedback and accuracy. It is easy to pick up, make one or two clean false casts, and place the fly where it needs to go.
50 to 60 feet: The rod remains accurate and powerful, although it starts asking more from the caster. Good casts produce very good results. Slightly mistimed casts produce slightly untidy ones. After a short adjustment period, we were making repeatable, accurate presentations, but this was not the rod’s most forgiving range.
80 feet: There is plenty of power here, and an expert caster can make long, accurate shots. The Asquith 2 does not cover up errors, however. Clean timing, a solid stop, and proper load are rewarded; rushed or loose casts are not. Think of it as a very capable dance partner that expects you to know the steps.
Across the casting course, our favorite range remained roughly 30 to 50 feet. That is convenient because it also happens to cover many of the shots anglers actually encounter while fishing the flats.
Warranty
Value
Price: Sarting at $1,570.00
Current prices range from $1,570 for the 4- through 6-weight models to $1,750 for the 10- through 12-weights. There is no clever way to describe those numbers. The Asquith 2 is expensive.
The 8-weight is also difficult to justify on performance alone. Rods such as the Scott Sector, Thomas & Thomas Exocett 88, and G. Loomis NRX+ offer excellent saltwater performance for considerably less, and some anglers will find them easier to cast. The Asquith 2 does not cast twice as well as a premium rod costing roughly half as much.
Value becomes more persuasive in the 10- and 11-weight models. For anglers targeting giant trevally, large tarpon, and other fish that demand heavy tackle, reducing swing weight without giving up power can make a meaningful difference. If the Asquith 2 gives you more confidence when a single difficult shot can define an expensive trip, the premium may feel justified.
Conclusion
The G. Loomis Asquith 2 8-weight is a genuinely excellent saltwater rod. It is light, accurate, powerful, and far better at practical close-to-middle distances than its fast-action pedigree might suggest. We especially enjoyed it from 30 to 50 feet, where it felt intuitive and delivered the kind of quick, precise presentations flats anglers need.
It is not twice the rod of an $800 alternative, and less experienced casters may actually perform better with something more forgiving. That makes the 8-weight a luxury rather than an automatic recommendation.
For skilled casters who value low swing weight and crisp, precise performance, however, the Asquith 2 delivers. The 10- and 11-weight models make the strongest practical case, while the 8-weight remains an exceptional rod for anglers willing to pay heavily for the last few percentage points of performance. Diminishing returns are still returns; they just arrive wearing a very expensive shirt.
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