Hardy Ultralite LL 9'2” 4# & 9'9” 3# Fly Rod Review

[@sammcdougall6506]

I was on the fence about these rods. Watched this review and bought a 9’2” #4 on eBay within 5 minutes………. Thank you for such an informative video. I have the 10’8” #3 for euro nymphing and it’s an absolute weapon, these rods are going to be classics.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi Sam! Thanks for the comment and I agree with you, they will be classics!

[@matthewwhite876]

I just ordered a 10,8 in 3wt the other week, how's it go? And have you ran fly line on it or a dedicated mono or braid core, keen to see if it'll cast when the occasion calls for a different drift under an Indicator or a quick shot with a dry when out nymphing for the day

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

I have not used that one, but if it’s anything like the other rods in the series then it will work well for both…

[@patsparks8731]

Hands down the best review on these rods! Great job, I can’t believe I just found this. Being that I’m a very long term (four decades plus) Hardy tackle addict, I was keen to see some more details on these rods. I remember scrambling to buy the last Angel series of Reels and Rods that we’re still being made in the UK, but Hardy have really done a great job with continuing to innovate over the years. Not that I need these rods, I’ve now become more than just a bit interested, and that’s not by chance....this video was done so well, I am now intrigued and maybe even obsessed. The 9.5’ 3wt is plain cool!!

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi Pat, thank you for the kind comments, I am so glad it was useful! I too Love Hardy hear and these rods are still going strong, absolutely love them!

[@patsparks8731]

@@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing 👍 My first Rod was a Hardy DeLuxe 2pc 6wt w Golden Prince Reel, still use it. I also love Hardy Cane rods. It’s a bad addiction I’ve had for a very very long time. When I was 16 my uncle let me fish w his Hardy rods....that was it, first thing I bought when I graduated from college, yep....Hardy....and yet I’ve never been to the UK and never got to see the Pall Mall shop in its heyday. BTW, Which size Ultralight reel were you using for the 3wt? I might have to get both rigs, even though I have many other 4wt rods already. The reels match perfectly too! The guides on those rods are very nice too. And they look like beautiful casting tools.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi Pat! My dad used Hardy deluxe rods and he too had A Golden Prince, along with some lovely old Marquis reels.. I have always been a fan of the finish they achieve. The new titanium recoil ceramic rings are awesome and I don’t think you will find a series of rods with a better connection and feeling. Ever since the first ones came out I have been a big fan and these are an upgrade. Reels wise I use the 4000 size, they balance better…

[@brameijkman330]

Thanks Peter. This review is told with passion and humour. I ordered a 10'2" ft for a #2 line weigth

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Thanks Bram! You won’t be disappointed…. Now I have fished with them all season I have been very impressed… I also got the 10’8” 0-2# which is fabulous!

[@MS-ux6fp]

Sorry I didn't mean to be disrespectful, I did got mine 3 days after you made the video 9'9 was my choice and I never looked back , is been my nr 1 FOal this year... Thank you Sir.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Not at all, everyone is entitled to their opinion and debate is healthy…

[@matthewwhite876]

I ordered the 10,8 in 3wt not long ago, can't wait to use it

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Don’t think you will be disappointed!

[@matthewwhite876]

@@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing cheers mate, hoping I can run floating line and 20feet of leader and still have it throw an indicator or a dry when needed 🤷‍♂️

[@tywoodruff8578]

Just found this video as I also just found and am considering a used 9’2” 4wt. Curious how that rod might work as a “crossover”, for dry fly but with help of a different line or something like the Rio Shorty could also occasionally handle a bit of Euro.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

The 9’2” 4# is my favourite dry fly rod, but it is equally happy nymphing….

[@andy1or2]

Absolutely love the Hardy rods. Looking forward to your new Ultralight Trout Spey 2 handed rods....Go get em ..!

[@urbanflyman6389]

Are Hardy bringing out light Trout Spey rods?

[@karelnemec8231]

Thank you for the review, it's perfect as always! I have Hardy Zephrus UL 9,9'#4 (among some other newer Hardy rods). I've used it a lot last season, because it's so universal (for dries and Euro nymphing), even though not the most accurate one. This must be nice following! But there is something I miss in the design and manufacturing to be honest. It's a soul. IMO these rods took some of the good features from other brands (unsanded part of the blank and modified length mark from Scott, rod numbering on the handle from Sage), the design of the blank is the "same" since Zephrus and it is produced maybe in the same big factory where other 90% European companies let their rods to be made. I miss the hand writing, I miss the imperfection, the original. It looks sterile to me. I don't belive that for that price it's not possible to bring the production back home and let "John, the rodmaker" build the rod for me :-) Flyfishing for me is not just about the right tool, it's about the feeling I have when I grab it. I want to love Hardy, but I don't.

[@pam0077]

Really like the look of these fly rods. Good luck finding them anywhere in the US at MSRP, especially the 9' 2" rods.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Have to say the more I have fished with them the more I have liked them…

[@pam0077]

@@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing I broke down and got a 9' 2" 3wt. Dealer said the higher $825 USD is the new MSRP. Said he still can't keep the 9' 2" rods in stock.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Nice!

[@waterfly9900]

Peter where and when was it done Model Hardy zenith sentrix 12'6#7, do you know anything about this? Thanks

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi there, I used to own that rod and it’s fabulous! Zenith was the original Sintrix series of rods. I used mine for Steelhead fishing, light and very powerful…

[@neilmason158]

Shame you did not catch would have been great to see it in action playing a fish. Totally agree with Karel Nemec comment, used to great nipping up to Alnwick factory shop 30 mins away. And if you fancied a rod, trying it out on the casting pool and having a chat , now they have their start of the art designer shop in the town.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Neil I agree… I used to stop there in trips up to Scotland, always a treat…. If you want to see the 9’2” in action check this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWHJm3apYrylr8U and the 10’3# in this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2jPpqmdf7tne8k

[@neilmason158]

@@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing 9'2'' is on my wish list.

[@darz3]

I would be interested on your views on pairing a dry fly line with for instance a Rio euro leader to cover both disciplines with the 9’9”

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi there, that’s absolutely fine and often what I do if I know I am swapping about..

[@TheSavagederek]

Stunning rods.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Agreed... was out on the lower Test today at Broadlands and that 9’2” 4# was pushing a big Mayfly into the teeth of a Gale...

[@GrahamR59]

Hi Peter looking at Ultralite LL 9ft 2” 4wt for dry fly. Interested to know what reel size you paired it with? Was that an MTX-S 3000?

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi Graham! Thanks for the comment, yes it’s the 3000.... I have just got my paws on the new UDLA reel and for that one went for the 4000... it’s even lighter....

[@leighbarnes2922]

Awesome review as always. I have a few dedicated euro nymph rods, favorite is the vision nymphmainiac in 11" 3wt. My pet frustration is dragging two rods while bashing my way down banks and over fences. I have been toying with the idea of a single rod that will cover dry and euro styles with some trade offs for sure. I was wandering how you got on with these, considering the 9"9 3 or 4wt as a run and gun single rod setup. Any insights from your usage of the 3wt for flexibility, does it have the power to flick a dry in a light breeze or does it collapse? Thoughts on the action of the 4wt (I know you went 9ft but maybe you tried the 9.9) as a euro option along side dry?

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi Leigh, thanks for the comment. I have fished both these rods extensively this season and I really use the 9’2” 4# for big dry fly fishing like Mayfly time. I have used the 9’9” 3# for pretty ouch everything else as it will do everything. It’s soft enough for nymphing yet still has plenty of power. I have the original 9’9 4# as well which I used all last season. If you are looking for a one rod to rule them all scenario go with the 9’9” 3#, it’s gorgeous…

[@leighbarnes2922]

@@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing brilliant thanks for the insight! Yeah I thought the 3wt 9.9 would be the one to go with. I will o give one flick and try a few reels for balance. Thanks again for the content. ( your saltwater tips and vids were incredibly helpful a way back )

[@connieagg7006]

Can i ask why have you gone for a 9' 2" 4 & 9' 9" 3 instead of reverse the line weight ? regards John

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi John, it’s because I am using the 9’9” 3# for Euronymphing. The extra length helps a lot...

[@michaelmaxwell1989]

I have been looking for a zephrus ultralite or the ultralite in a 4wt for dry fly would you recommend this LL over them?

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi Michael, the Zephrus Ultralite is a great rod as well, the LL is the latest iteration.. I think you might struggle to find one now though as the retailers have been waiting for this one to arrive...

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Looking at this I am not sure I really answered your question... I have to say that 9’2” 4# LL is gorgeous, perhaps beats my Ultralite 9’9” 4# as my new favourite dry fly rod... time will tell this season...

[@michaelmaxwell1989]

@@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing ok thanks for the reply im still swithering on which rod to go with. I have swore by orvis for years and run with 2 helios 2 rods and a recon the last few year. I'd say I'm an experienced fly fisher but not so much an expert caster so like a forgiving rod. I might hold off until I can get a feel for one in the angling centre before making a purchase.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

If you can try before you buy so much the better...

[@karelnemec8231]

Feelings aside :-) Can I have excuse to own both Zephrus UL 9,9 #4 AND Ultralite LL 9,9 #9? Do these rods differ enough? I'm thinking about heavier nymph/dry crossover. Thank you!

[@karelnemec8231]

Thanks for chat :-)

[@pareriksson3711]

9.2 #4 or 9.2#2 confused. Wat rod is it in the video

[@pareriksson3711]

Okey 9.2#4 it was

[@gmitchell24]

What river are you fishing!? 🎣

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

The Anton…

[@lukasimunjak9368]

Nice review. :D

[@jcharlesbayliss]

Mr McLeod, if you could just choose one ?

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

The 9’2 4#...... which actually surprises me as I have enjoyed the 9’9” 4# ultralite so much with the extra height.... but there is something very special about this one...

[@jcharlesbayliss]

@@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing I've ordered one ! and I am very excited

[@4492573]

I don’t fancy the noise from that first guide. When your stripping back it sounds horrible

[@warrenchester8467]

Where is it made?

[@davesgonefishing322]

Says Korea on the rod tubes

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Hi Warren, they are made in Korea... Hardys moved most of their manufacturing over there a while ago. Just curious but why do you ask?

[@warrenchester8467]

Thanks. I won’t buy Chinese where I have a choice.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Fair enough.. each to their own...

[@MrBrysie]

@@warrenchester8467 nor will I....

[@tonyg3091]

Everybody wants to look like Scott these days yet nobody touches the Sage ESN in terms of euronymphing.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment!

[@kennethmidwinter982]

Sir, when you are trying to sell a product to the public and looking at the camera….. you need to take your sunglasses off. Some consider this to be rude. Kind regards.

[@AardvarkMcLeodFlyFishing]

Thanks! It’s either that or squinting viciously into the sun! I am really not selling anything, this is just my opinion on these rods..