We're kicking off the 2015 review season with one of Hardy's exciting new fly rod releases: the Hardy Wraith. The Wraith, along with the Zephrus, are replacing the ever popular and award winning Hardy Zenith. The Wraith is built on Sintrix 550 - Hardy's highest grade of Sintrix, roughly 15% stiffer than the Sintrix 440 used in the old Zenith and the current Zephyrus. In plain terms, it's the fast, high-performance member of the family, and Hardy bills it as "ultra-fast." We know most anglers also want a rod they can feel in close, so the real question is: can the Wraith do it all? We know most anglers want a rod they can feel in close, so... can the Wraith do it all?
Fit and Finish is exactly what you'd expect from Hardy: great. It's also not really any different from the old Hardy Zenith, with one notable exception. They now have a clear coat section under the label (where it says Wraith). It shows you how the rod is constructed. It's pretty cool.
From a fishing perspective, you're getting the same Reversed Half-Wells Grip (we would have preferred a full wells on a rod this fast), double uplocking reel seat, and wooden insert. We still like the choice of top-quality guides from Recoil and Fuji. They make the rod lighter and more durable.
Weight
The Wraith weighs in at about 3 ounces. This is about in line with the competition, but not as light as say the Helios 2. It feels light when you cast it.
Distance
Ultra-fast = Ultra-far. The Wraith is the second best distance casting rod I've ever cast. The only competitor is the Sage Method, which I felt was a touch easier to bomb, but wasn't as accurate. If you want a rod to take out to the parking lot and show your friends, this is it.
Accuracy
At 30' this rod isn't really that great. It just doesn't load at short distances. BUT it is also surprisingly workable if you take some time and get used to it. If most of your fishing is in close, a rod like the Orvis Helios or the Winston B3X will simply feel more natural at this range. If you read my review of the Method, I said the same thing.
At 40 feet, I was starting my double haul and the rod and it comes alive. Hardy's research and use of Sintrix pays off to creat a rod that's not just fast, but really accurate. It's even better at 60', where the rod is not only still accurate, but one of the easiest rods to present a fly at that distance.
Flex & Feel
The Wraith is definitely a fast rod, and probably bordering on ultra-fast. It's definitely more of a bigger fly/streamer feel than a delicate dry fly presentation rod. The tip is just a little stiffer than I'd like. Comparing apples to apples, it's pretty similar, if not a tad better feeling than the Sage Method.
Warranty
Lifetime.
Price: Actually we don't know the price, yet. We think it's going to be about $850.
Conclusion
When I picked up the Hardy Wraith fly rod, I was thinking: how are they going to make this rod better than the Zenith? After a few casts, it was pretty clear that they built an entirely different rod. It's more of a competitor to the Sage Method and Winston B3-SX than a replacement for the Zenith. It succeeds in that regard. And then some. It's probably the best ultra-fast trout rod made today, though I didn't get to cast it side-by-side. Thinking of upgrading from a Zenith? For the average or East Coast trout angler, probably not - you gain wind and distance performance but give up a little of the Zenith's close-in feel. For an expert who loves a fast rod, it's an easy yes. Cross-shopping? See our roundup of the best 5-weight fly rods.
What does that really mean? Well, it's really not going to be a rod that most people love. If you're a big-river trout angler who prefers a fast rod, you're going to want to cast it. If you want something to cross over into bass or throw a lot of bigger flies, it's going to be tough to beat. If you're the average New England trout angler: check out the Zephrus.
I cast this rod with GPX line. I wouldn't go any lighter.
Pros
Very accurate
Casts FAAAaaar
Cons
Too fast for most casters
Not great in close
Expensive for a Korean rod (maybe)
Changelog
5/29/26: Clarified the Sintrix 550 material, added close-range comparisons and a Zenith-upgrade verdict from our review; changelog.
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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