Hardy Ultralite LL Fly Rod

 

The Zephrus Ultralite was hands down one of the best technical dry fly rods ever made. It also had the lightest swing weight of any rod we ever tested. Good news: Hardy has made the Zephrus Ultralite even better. Enter the Ultralite LL, Hardy’s new for 2020 rod series built for technical trout fishing. From fine dry fly work to euro nymphing, this series truly covers every technical trout fishing scenario. From 9’2” models to 11’2” models, Hardy has shaken up the definition of ‘dry fly specific fly rod’.

 

Model Overview

9'2	#3	Ultimate technical dry fly rod for tippets down to 7x as used in the increasingly popular “Spanish” dry fly style.
9'2	#4	Ultimate all- round technical dry fly rod for handling larger fish and coping in windier conditions.
9'9	#3	Ultimate light “Dry dropper” / big river dry fly rod, increased mending ability and reach, superb cross over Euro nymphing rod.
9'9	#4	Ultimate all-round  “Dry dropper” / big river dry fly rod, increased mending ability and reach, superb cross over Euro nymphing rod.
10'2	#2	Ultimate technical “Euro style rod” for medium & large rivers, exceptional tippet protection with sufficient power for larger fish.
10'8	#0/2	Ultimate technical “Euro style rod” with increased reach for medium & large rivers, exceptional tippet protection & excellent power reserves for larger fish
10'8	#3	Ultimate technical “Euro style rod” with increased reach for medium & large rivers, excellent tippet protection and increased “low-down” power for larger flies and bigger fish in strong flows.
11'2	#2	Ultimate – long reach/ light-line Euro style rod , Maximises effective nymphing range and leader control , ideal for medium to large rivers where drift control and tippet protection are the prime concern.

 

Blank

SINTRIX NSX Technology - The latest iteration of Hardy’s SINTRIX blank technology is NSX. NSX combines SINTRIX with a secondary classified additive that allows Hardy to build rods with lower prepreg weights. This lighter material allows Hardy to modify the blank design without affecting the strength of the rod. The final result? Lighter, more responsive blanks that provide the angler with more feedback and feel and quicker recovery times.

 

Guides

Ceramic-Lined Titanium REC Recoil Guides - REC Recoil guides are extremely lightweight and highly practical. Don’t worry about banging or bending your guides. If bent, recoil guides bounce back into place without warping. Plus, the titanium increases durability and the ceramic lining decreases line friction through the guides.

Black Pearl Recoil Guides - Similarly, black pearl recoil guides also rebound when bent or crushed. These guides decrease the overall rod weight for lightweight performance and durability.

 

Reel Seat

Custom Ultralight Reel Seat - True to its name, the reel seat of the Ultralite LL is designed to keep the rod lightweight. A carbon fiber insert is cut and replaced by lighter carbon leaving the rod blank exposed to decrease weight. The reel seat is stylish and incredibly unique.

 

Rod Tube

Aluminum Rod Tube - The Ultralite comes in a classic silver aluminum Hardy rod tube. These tubes are ultra-durable and super stylish for functionality and purpose.

 

Warranty

Hardy Worldwide Extended Warranty - Hardy’s warranty covers repair or replacement of damaged, broken, or defective sections of the fly rod for the lifetime of the product. As of 4/17/2019, rods manufactured after 2002 require a $75 fee for repairs, handling, administration, and return postage.

 

More Info

Rod Action: Medium - Fast



Best for: Freshwater, Dry Flies/Nymphs



Grip: Slimmed Reversed Half-Wells



Ability Level: Intermediate - Expert (learn more)

 

Recommended Lines

We highly recommend using a dry fly specific line. Our favorite for small water applications is:

• RIO Gold Elite Fly Line

 

Staff Reviews