Greys XF2 Streamflex 10' 4-Weight Fly Rod Review

Jun 21, 2012 · 2 min read

Greys XF2 Streamflex 10' 4-Weight Fly Rod Review

Brooke Hidell of Hidell's Guide Service stopped by the shop today and we decided to cast a few 4-weight's for the fun of it. The first rod on the block was the Greys XF2 Streamflex 10' #4 Not many people in the US recognize the Greys brand. Greys is Hardy's diffusion brand - similar to Redington and Sage. It's a great rod, as you'll hear about below. Here's the outfit I was using:

Greys XF2 Streamflex 10' 4-weight Fly Rod
Hardy Ultralite DD 4000 Fly Reel
Rio Gold WF4F

FIT AND FINISH

This rod is well appointed for a price-point rod. The cork is good, wraps are well done. The rod has a nice skeletal/wood reel seat and alignment dots. The grip is the standard for everything reverse half-wells with "finish cork" on the ends. Of course you're not getting recoil guides or AAAA cork, but the rod is under $400! It's got everything you need, nothing you don't.

WEIGHT

According to Hardy, this rod weighs 3.28 oz. My scale came in at 3.15, so I'd say spot on. It's only a little heavier than the Sage ESN which weighs in at 2.94 oz. Overall, the Ultralite DD 4000 balances it well. I wouldn't want to go much lighter in the reel category for such a long rod.

DISTANCE

I didn't attempt any long casts with the rod during this test. Since it is a medium-action, I would guess it won't be winning any distance competitions.

ACCURACY

I cast this rod side-by-side with the Sage ESN and a Scott G2 904. Both of those rods tracked better than the Greys (as I expected). If you're high-sticking, it won't matter anyway.

FLEX

Medium to Medium-Fast. I found myself adjusting down from my normal casting stroke (Hardy Zenith), but it's not "noodle-y".

NYMPHING

I didn't get to water test the rod, but it would make an awesome Euro-nymphing rod - It's got reach + lightweight.

WARRANTY

Lifetime to the original owner. Lots of handling fees... Price: $319

CONCLUSION

The Greys XF2 Streamflex 10' #4 is a great rod for someone looking to get into Czech nymphing without the high price tag. It's versatile enough to throw the occasional dry or streamer and you don't want to switch rods.

PROS

A great nymphing rod.
Butt/mid sections could be a little stiffer
Price

CONS

Fast action aficionados will miss the feel of a fast rod.
If you're looking for a 10' rod to CAST (read: not nymphing), you may want to look elsewhere.
It probably won't be impressing your friends at the river (until you catch all of the fish..)

Written by

Ben Freeman

Ben Freeman founded Trident Fly Fishing in 2012 to cut through the marketing fluff and provide anglers with the technical info they actually need. He’s built his reputation by putting gear to the ultimate test in the world’s most unforgiving fisheries. With fishing stamps from over 22 countries and 17+ states, Ben’s passport is a roadmap of bucket list angling—from landing a 25lb Golden Dorado in Bolivia and 150lb Arapaima in Guyana to sight-casting for Roosterfish off the beaches in Baja. Whether it’s battling 60+mph winds to land a 20lb Rainbow at Jurassic Lake or a full day of casting 8in streamers in Mongolia, Ben has spent decades ensuring his gear performs when a trip of a lifetime is on the line.

At Trident, Ben serves as the lead gear geek, specializing in the deep-dive mechanics of rods, reels, and lines. Over the past 15 years, he's reviewed 250+ fly rods and 150+ fly reels and is likely one of the most prolific rod reviewers in the world. But he doesn't just curate the catalog; he scrutinizes every taper and drag system through the lens of a traveling angler who knows what it's like to have gear fail a thousand miles from home. For Ben, the mission is simple: leverage his experience across nearly 100 species to ensure that when you head into the wild, you’re equipped with gear that has been vetted by someone who has actually been there.

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