WOW...Great rod for and evan greater price,reminds me of the Redfly series.
Got the 8 wt outfit and used it for salmon in Lake Michigan tributaries. Excellent product for the money; strong enough to throw streamers (size 2) and sensitive enough to feel a pick up when using egg patterns. The drag on the reel is a little jerky, so I would not recommend using tippet below 8 pound test.
bought this brand new, 9ft 8 weight, I have a lamson guru 3.5 reel. I was fishing in the middle fork of the salmon river and hooked a 3lb cut throat and it snaped it in half, going to take it back and see if I can get a replacement...perhaps I just got the lemon.
5 weight: Great rod for the price. Good loading characteristics to help you appreciate the finesse it takes to get into a real expensive and touchy rods. Multiple fish caught, most fun was th 2+lb Rainbow close to shore. Tight Lines!
Used the 8 weight to catch well over a dozen 90-100 pound sturgeon. We put the rod to the SERIOUS test. It passed with flying colors. After breaking another brand's rod on the first first, we assumed this Crosswater was done for as well, and it put up with everything we dealt to it, included practically bending it, tip to reel. A truly great fly rod.