Hardy Zephrus vs Loomis NRX+ or NRX+ LP

[marcd]

Looking to upgrade my 5 weight rod; I have an old Orvis. I live in Massachusetts and fish smaller & medium sized rivers for trout. I have a Sage ZXL 4wt and Sage LL 3 wt and love both of them. Looking for the 5 weight for a more all around rod with a stronger emphasis on streamers and nymphs. Heard great things about the Hardy Zephrus and of course Loomis NRX+ and NRX+ LP. Obviously the price point of the Zephrus is attractive (closeout around $500) and it sounds like it's a great value. Is it worth spending more $$$ for the NRX+ or NRX+ LP, or even something else?

Not looking to spend money foolishly, but also don't mind spending it if it makes a difference. Thoughts?

 

[matt_geiman]

Have not cast a Zephrus yet, but I am looking hard at the 9' 4 weight. It would be very tempting to not get one for 500! All super nice rods for sure and frankly comes down to personal preference.

 

[osseous]

I grew up on the coast of NH- and I've fished the Swift, the Westfield, the Greenfield....and most every other river in the region, at one point or another. Learned a TON fishing the Y pool in the 80s. I'd look at the LP + and the Douglas Sky G if I were buying a 5 wt for those waters- If you're gonna chuck a Thingamabobber and two nymphs- you'll be a lot happier with a 6 wt on those days

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[mike_r]

I too advocate for a softer, medium action 6wt. I gave the Loomis NRX+LP 690 a waggle in the fly shop the other day. Wish I had time to cast it but it felt incredibly light in hand. Very nicely finished too,like Sages of old. In ended up buying the NRX+ 590. They had sold their NRX+LP 590 so I test cast it against the Scott G series 905 for a similar contrast. The Scott is a fun rod to cast. Very light in weight, a touch of swing weight as it is a softer rod, yet it retains a very crisp, acceptable tip recovery for dry fly fishing on non-windy days. I have cast the 590 Zephrus. A guide buddy gave me his 590 to play with back when they had only been out about a year. As I recall, it was a real sweet heart. Softer tip smoothly transitioning into a stiff butt; a lot like the G Loomis NRX+ 590. The Zephrus could present gently in close or really crack one out to 75’ plus!


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[dipaoro]

I already own the older G.Loomis NRX LP in a 5W and 3W. Recently, I did purchase the Zephrus 4W 8.6 on discount. This is a father's day gift for me, so its ready to go in 2 weeks. However, I did try it out in the yard and totally impressed. Ross Evo 4/5 and SA Smooth Infinity are part of this outfit. I highly recommend. Very tight loops booming from this rod. Very light and impressive. This rod won the Yellowstone 4W shootout.

 

[okiekev]

If you are looking more for a nymph/streamer rod, have you considered a 9.5 or 10 ft rod? The Scott Radian is really nice in a 9.5 ft 5 wt and the NRX+ in 10 ft is getting some great press. Just something else to consider.

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

There's a lot to be said for the 4/6wt quiver for trout. 4 covers dries and light nymphing on small to medium water. 6 covers small to medium streamers, heavy nymphing, and medium to larger water, and bigger fish. They have just enough overlap that you could break a rod and not be empty handed. 5 is more versatile than either, but inferior for either end of the spectrum. Love my Sky 6wt, it is as good as they say.

 

[old timer]

I'm going to do an experiment tomorrow at a small pond since runoff has wiped out the rivers. I'll use the 9' 5 wt Zephrus with two different lines. SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity WF 5 wt and a 406 DT 5 wt. One is a 1/2wt heavy and the DT is true to weight. DT vs WF. Mostly dries. We'll see what the rod likes.

 

[brownbass]

I shopped for a five weight a few years back and it came down to the Zephrus and the Loomis LP. I went home with the LP for dries but really like the Zephrus in that weight with the Rio Gold. I sometimes second guess my choice of the LP until I tie on a size 18 dry. I don't think it is the rod for big streamers and nymph rigs but I have a six for the larger stuff.

Bill