Dry Fly 4 Weight Rod Reviews: What did we choose?

Sometimes, it's fun to focus on a function-specific rod. Here we compare 4 of our favorite 4 weight dry fly rods.
-- G-Loomis NRX+ LP: store.flyfishfood.com/G-Loomi...
-- Orvis Helios 3D: store.flyfishfood.com/searchr...
-- Scott Radian: store.flyfishfood.com/searchr...
-- Scott G Series: store.flyfishfood.com/Scott-G...
--Scientific Anglers Lines: store.flyfishfood.com/searchr...
--Lamson Litespeed Reel: store.flyfishfood.com/Lamson-...
--Ross Gunnison Fly Reel: store.flyfishfood.com/Ross-Re...
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Fly Fish Food

[@dsmt8703]

Love the nature sounds in the background!

[@ToadLiver]

Thanks for taking the time to do a video and provide your introspective. Sometimes, I feel as though I am drinking water thru a fire hydrant trying to learn the world of fly fishing as a novice. So, thanks for sharing this info for all of us rookies that are looking to purchase the best bang for the buck. Good work, guys!

[@komando8365]

Great piece guys, lots of detail to help those in need of a good all around 4wt stick. You certainly got the cream of the crop there!

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

Great vid! I've been looking for a nice 4 weight, but some of them are so expensive!

[@weederminb7091]

Thanks for the tips I’m going with the orvis 4w so good guys. Vancouver island bc 🍁🤘

[@jassonco]

4WT's for the win.

[@mikeb570]

That beard at the end is pretty amazing, where did you find such a stunning stunt double for Lance??

[@rickknight8442]

Need winston in there for a dry fly review

[@mikecoughlin5419]

Love your channel! And enjoy fishing my H2 midflex 9' 4wt. Is it more like the H3D or H3F?

[@thescarletpimpernel5065]

What do you think about the Scott G for roll casting matched with the Wulff Triangle taper ?

[@AlfieinMontana]

Awesome guys. Can yall do a review for 6 wt rods?

[@dinoc.5537]

Nice picks, and I really appreciate the line recommendations. Would be nice to have the list and links, but it is easy to replay...

[@FlyFishFood]

The list and links are in the description... :)

[@dinoc.5537]

@@FlyFishFood there they go. They weren't showing earlier. Many thanks. Worst part of selecting rods for me, is if you don't get to try the right lines the whole test is thrown off. Tight Lines!

[@robertwelty6956]

JP Ross 9’ 4wt. Gets it done! Made in USA too!

[@hollisduncan3293]

Steve Rajeff is renowned for his 4 weights. Asquith and NRX+ are benchmark 904s.

[@primal_aperture_photo]

Great video! You guys are like Mutt & Jeff! :)) On a more serious note I was wondering what 5 wt would you recommend for dry flies say in the $400. range. I fish mostly lakes btw. I'm not as rich as you! Haha!

[@teledunc]

My go-to rod is a Sage ONE 486, I absolutely love it! I have my eye on one of those Scott G Series rods though, I love Scott rods.

[@1Troutguy]

I just found a Sage one 486 in Laramie Fly Store. 595.00 love it

[@teledunc]

@@1Troutguy Good find! They are pretty tough to find these days, especially if they aren't used! Such a great rod.

[@rhonda837]

@@teleduncboth great rods.

[@tonyg3091]

Sage One is great casting tool. Problems begin when you try and use tippets thinner than 6x. Terrible. Had 490 sold it.

[@teledunc]

@@tonyg3091 I have heard the 486 and the 490 Sage ONE are very different rods. I have never tried the 490 though so I can't say for sure.

[@pakfrd7887]

Would you consider a 10’ 3wt euro rod with a traditional fly line for dries and a Rio euro shorty for nymphs? I bought this with the thinking of doing it all but it’s a pain in my ass. I’d rather have a designated dry fly for easy switching but I don’t like having multiple things. Not sure what I should do. I’ll have to think about it.

[@justinfulmer5085]

What kind of Lamson is on the scott meridian?

[@armjamal1]

what about Hardy Zephrus...do u have an opinion on it?

[@jeffprice4611]

A 4wt is my go to rod. I actually have 4 of them and all have a different purpose. Thanks

[@saabvanderlinden9214]

prefer a 8.6 or 9 ft ?

[@jeffprice4611]

Saab Van Der Linden for really small stream an 8’6”. A 9’ rod is easier to mend due to the extra length but I have no problems mending the shorter rod.

[@justal4844]

I'll never part with my 4wt Sage Circa for dry presentation. If for some reason I have to move on, the GLoomis NRX-LP would be a top pick; maybe a Hardy or Winston would be on my list to also evaluate. Seriously, if you haven't cast the Circa for a delicate presentation, find one and see what I'm talking about. Nice vid, guys.

[@teledunc]

I've got a 3wt Circa, super fun rod!

[@BillSaltbush]

Just saw your post . . . immediately after making a similar one myself. Marvellous things, the Circa 8' 9" 4wt.

[@BillSaltbush]

Yep! I hear what you're sayin'. But I'm gonna stay with my Circa 8' 9" 4wt. Soft, slow and oh, so delicate with a small dry fly and muscle to boot. Have been tempted by the G Series, but no . . . I can't do it. Only from my cold, dead hand will you part me from my Circas, this one in particular (yeah, I have a few). 🥴

[@Outdawrzman]

Being that this video is 2 years old, would the new Scott Centric be the new leader in this category? Any updates ?

[@DryFlyGuy74]

Freaking LOVE that hat Cheech!

[@billlane8794]

Have ye tried the sage x

[@justinfulmer5085]

Can you make more videos like these

[@glencamblin]

Hey u guys aren't practicing safe social distancing ! With all the turmoil going on I'm waiting for the locust to show up. Cheech, u better start working on that pattern...

[@saabvanderlinden9214]

Why no Hardy zephrus #4 8.6 or 9 ft

[@tonyg3091]

Nah, I can do it all with my fibreglass 6 weight... Jus kiddin... Brilliant selection. I'd only swap Orvis for a Hardy and then it'd be perfect.

[@leesojang_kr]

Hello guys, what is the model name of the chest pack that your friend with a beard is using?

[@peterfitts7452]

489-4 Trout LL 100%

[@gregb8824]

Tell me about the Echo dry, is this a rod you guys carry? Does it do a proper job of presenting dries? The price is right for these uncertain times.

[@FlyFishFood]

G Bennik the Echo Trout is a great rod too. Impressed with how they cast.

[@gordonmutch8086]

You didn't test the Hardy Zephrus 4wt 8ft6 would have better them all

[@Tigmt1913]

Is that because of personal experience or what you read off Yellowstone angler?

[@gordonmutch8086]

I’ve owned one for a number of years

[@CtrolokDoncov]

damn is that a Ryall on the orvis?

[@lunkerjunkie]

No greensticks?

[@isupportthecurrentthing5225]

Any reason why you guys prefer SA over, say, rio or orvis lines?

[@FlyFishFood]

Nuckin' Futs yeah. The durability first and foremost, but their tapers and coatings are seriously amazing. We have been fishing the same lines for way longer than we normally would. Also, Orvis and SA are the same company. Their lines are also excellent.

[@isupportthecurrentthing5225]

Fly Fish Food Cool. Appreciate the reply. I may try one next time. im gonna give the opst smooth a shot on my 8wt bass rod.

[@fairviewhomestead]

I have been using the Frequency Boost (SA) on my 5wts and I can throw everything from bigger streamers to dry flys. I love the texture and shootability. It's the mid priced line they offer. About to order some Amplitude and see the difference. Great vid Fly Fish Food!!

[@julianbyrd6035]

what reel is paired up with the Scott radian?

[@FlyFishFood]

Waterworks purist

[@wcdunn]

I'm looking for a 4 wt but keep thinking maybe I need to try glass....

[@FlyFishFood]

Craig Dunn glass is OK only if there isn’t any wind.

[@vreth22]

No Winston Pure in there....ohh man...u doing it wrong😀😀😀😀

[@pattifunkhouse2932]

Did a 747 crash land on the river while you were presenting? I was waiting for the explosion and screams.

[@Sochmo18]

where are the budget rods?

[@tetonflytying8899]

what rod vault is that?

[@FlyFishFood]

This is the River Quiver from Riversmith: riversmith.com/products/river-quiver/fly-rod-roof-rack

[@mradj9629]

what waders are those? they look pretty durable

[@FlyFishFood]

The new Patagonia Waders. They are rad: store.flyfishfood.com/Patagonia-Swiftcurrent-Expedition-Zip-Front-Waders-p/82290.htm

[@fairviewhomestead]

@@FlyFishFood Patigucci :)

[@orviskid]

I thought orvis was expensive wow.

[@mradj9629]

Very nice and reasonable for price if quality is there. I will be looking into these more. Thanks.

[@chillipphi]

Why not just use your 10’ 3wt euro rod? What is the benefit of a dedicated 4wt?

[@FlyFishFood]

chillipphi The 10’ 3 would work, but a rod designed to throw a fly line instead of just loading under the weight of your flies can be a game changer.

[@simonsmith9363]

On most of the small streams I fish you need a 7' to 8' rod, I prefer a 7'6" which is rated 3/4/5 but for very short distance casting works best with a 5 wt. I've recently bought a 7'6" 4 wt which I can't wait to use. The short rods can be used quite happily on the larger rivers for selective nymphing or dry fly. Kelly Galloup had much to say on the distance most folks catch fish at while using a dry fly, an average of 17 feet according to him and his guides. This mirrors my experience, even on the larger English rivers.

[@rickhess1616]

Are you near the airport, what's with all the background noise. It like the shuttle's just taken off

[@FlyFishFood]

rick hess you might notice some cars driving by. If not, yes, we are testing shuttle launches too

[@31446963048]

I recommend everybody go play a round with only their 7 iron. You will get the best feel for making adjustments in your game to the situation. But you knew that when you said it.

[@gregkosinski2303]

Is the one guy really tall or is the other guy really short?

[@glencamblin]

I knew the raiders garb was good 4 something. Only the raiders stuff is bio hazard approved...

[@MichealBacon]

Next time, can you please find a busier and noisier highway to stand beside while talking..I wasn't quite annoyed enough. Thank you.

[@randellgribben9772]

fun to watch these commercials for eather sage or loomis

[@FlyFishFood]

randell gribben if it were a commercial for Sage, don’t you think we should have used one?

[@randellgribben9772]

@@FlyFishFood now i understand.. to catch a fish you must buy the most expensive fly rods

[@FlyFishFood]

@@randellgribben9772 nailed it bud!

[@randellgribben9772]

@@FlyFishFood sad, comment....i have been fly fishing from 1974 ( i was 14 or 15 years old ) my grandfather taught me on one of his bamboo fly rods ( i now own at 4 of them ) i am now 60 years old.. and teach fly fishing for free, to whom ever wants to try... when i was in the Army.. i was fly casting a pond on base, when this brg. general. ( i was in civics ) ask me how hard is was to learn how to do this....so i stopped gave him my fly rod. after is how him the basic cast.. and he did the ' wip ' thing..i always let them get that out there systems.. then talked him thru the basic casting and a roll cast. we spent a few days togeather, as i taught him.. that was in 1995 in Georga.. ft. gorden... he has retired , moved to washington state.. near bremmington.. we keep in contact.. and invites me to visit at least once a year.....people male and female. and there kids.. will stop me and ask lots of questions. and if they wished..i would show them how to cast. i have taught inner city kids how to fly fish, and they kept the fly rods and reel. and supplys.. ( thank you cablea's for you low prices..and it so great to see a kit catch his/ her first fish on a fly rod.. and also there parents... i have even stopped on a trip on a river that i drove to for hours, to stop, and show/ teach them the basics..... many i have taught how to cast, and catch fish//blue gills are fun to teach on..helped them by the there 1st fly rods.. most of the time a 9 foor 5 weight.. for the kids a 6 foot 4 weight...one question i have been asked many times.. it the $600/700 rod better than the TFO( for example )? i dont make them buy any rod.. a good line and leader/s yes.... but as my grandfather told me.. a expensive fly rod will not catch a fish......... the fly, catches the fish.. the folks buying the pricey fly rods are just trying to impress another fly caster... the fish dont give a shit... they just see the fly

[@FlyFishFood]

@@randellgribben9772 I think you missed the point of this whole video. I’d suggest you watch it again.

[@clammerify]

The guy on the left using repurposed parachute for his waders?

[@zachbrown788]

Strange thing to say..

[@BillSaltbush]

As a rather portly man myself, @@zachbrown788, I thought it funny.

[@andrewgio1]

haha never trust a review from someone in brand new waders.

[@FlyFishFood]

Not even if there’s a fire!

[@joshuamena153]

No lance upstairs plz he’s smelly