Thinking about a new 5wt

[Gary C.]

I've kind of been looking around for a new 5wt rod. I found a couple that I'm interested in and I'm wondering what you guys think.

One is a 9' 4pc 5wt Winston Vapor for $190 and the other is a 9'6" 4pc 5wt Sage VT2 for $300.

I know several on here have the VT2, what about the Vapor? I'm open to other suggestions but I don't want to wait too long and have them sell out on the size I want.

[fflutterffly]

curious about the Winston? Call Fisherman's Spot or Sierra Trout Magnet in Bishop. Both are very knowledgable and carry Winston I believe. Today the Fisherman's Spot will be picking up your tax if you purchase from them I think they said. give them a call. Check it out.

[seamus]

I was shopping for a 5wt a few years back and I narrowed it down to the Vapor and a Sage Launch. I think the Vapor is a fast action rod, but it felt more like med-fast to me. It was a very nice casting rod with good feel. The Launch is a med-fast rod but I would say it is on the fast side of med-fast. It felt a little faster and stiffer than the Vapor. I was looking for the do everything 5wt. I ended up choosing the Launch because of the extra power and at the time it was $80.00 cheaper. I think the Vapor was $299.00 and the Launch was $220.00. If I was casting dry flies all day I would pick the Vapor over the Launch but when you factor in wind and double nymph rigs I would choose the Launch. Not sure what type of fishing you will be using it for but at $190.00 that would be hard to pass up. When shopping I also compared the Sage Launch, Fli, and Vt2. The Vt2 and Fli felt faster and stiffer than the Launch but they all felt similar and I did not think there was that much of a difference between them to justify the extra money. All of the rods that I cast were 9' 5wt 4pcs. I have not cast the 9'6" Vt2 so I can't comment on that one.

I have been fishing my Launch for three years now. At first it felt stiff to me but the more I fish it the more I like it. On my last trip to the Upper Sac I was able to bring two other rods for comparison. One was an older Sage Gfl and the other was an unknown med action rod. I fished all the rods with nymph rigs and dries in wind and calm conditions. They all worked good and get the job done. I like the slower rods for dry flies but at the end of the trip if I could only choose one rod I would choose the Launch as my do all 5 wt. I hope this helps you.

[fancyboy]

I hope I don't get hated on for saying this, but in that price range I really think the Albright A5 is worth a look. The price fluctuates from about $175 to $250 depending on the deal they have going. I own one in a 5 weight and I like it quite a lot. Everyone (including guides) who I have let cast it has been impressed. That being said, you buy direct from the manufacturer so you can neither test one out at your local fly shop nor support that shop with your dollars and they are made in Korea. I believe those are among people's biggest complaints about Albright. I've dealt with them to repair my rod on a few occasions and their service has been good and at the price point I think they are quite competitive.

[BradW]

Gary,
I have a Vapor 5 wt. and for the price you can't beat it. I find it very similar to the other Winston's with a little softer tip. Although, I would still classify it as fast action. I've used it a lot for nymphing.
Brad

[Gary C.]

Thanks for the replys, it gives me some more to think about. I started out wanting a 9' 5wt but a couple other options keep running through my head.

[briansII]

Not a 5wt, so my opinion might not apply.

I bought a 7wt Vapor when they were relatively new to the market. One thing that immediately struck me when I took it out of the tube. The aluminum reelseat looked cheap. When I mounted a reel, it felt cheap too. I've used it quite a bit on largemouth. It's held up ok, but the ferrules are showing stress from wrenching fish out of heavy cover. The tip feels a bit heavy to me....just confirmed that by comparing it to a 6 and 8wt. It's not one of my favorite rods to fish, but it gets the job done. I've beat on fish with this rod(it shows too), and it's still ready for more.

As for the VT2. Heard nothing but good things about them, but never fished one.

briansII

[FlyinFish]

I haven't fished or cast one, but I've whipped an Echo 2 in the shop and man they feel like awesome rods and the best value for the price (~$280 regular). The Spot had some discounted and they may have one 9'/9'6" 5wt still left.

Still a bit pricey, but seems like it should be at least twice the price relative to the other brands.

I looked at the VT2s for a 3wt I was buying and everyone I talked to really liked them.

[Trootfisher]

I hope I don't get hated on for saying this, but in that price range I really think the Albright A5 is worth a look. .

Those are very fast (stiff), correct? I've heard they are more comparable to a 6 wt. then many of the other 5 wts out there.

[stanbery]

Gary

You will really like the VT2. Ask Dennis how he likes his.
Winston
Vapor for $170
Vapor blank only $100
Accent $120
Accent Blank only $70.00
Winston Boron B2X 4 Piece Fly Blank $229
Sage
VT2 for $290
VT2 blank only $165

Jon

[Autodave]

I have a 4wt VT2 which I really like-I did just get a new 5wt though...a Sage SLT 590-5, I am really looking forward to fishing it

[fly addict]

I haven't fished or cast one, but I've whipped an Echo 2 in the shop and man they feel like awesome rods and the best value for the price (~$280 regular). The Spot had some discounted and they may have one 9'/9'6" 5wt still left.

Still a bit pricey, but seems like it should be at least twice the price relative to the other brands.

I looked at the VT2s for a 3wt I was buying and everyone I talked to really liked them.

I have cast and fished the Echo 2 9" 5wt. That is one great rod and if it is on sale you can't go wrong. If I didn't have the rod I have already I would buy one.

Mark

[briansII]

I hope I don't get hated on for saying this, but in that price range I really think the Albright A5 is worth a look. .

Those are very fast (stiff), correct? I've heard they are more comparable to a 6 wt. then many of the other 5 wts out there.

Nope. They're closer to "medium" action, than "fast", or stiff. Very nice rods for the $$.

briansII

[Papasequoia]

My go to rod for streamers or nymphs on windy days is the Launch - great rod for the price if that is a consideration.

[fancyboy]

I hope I don't get hated on for saying this, but in that price range I really think the Albright A5 is worth a look. .

Those are very fast (stiff), correct? I've heard they are more comparable to a 6 wt. then many of the other 5 wts out there.

Nope. They're closer to "medium" action, than "fast", or stiff. Very nice rods for the $$.

briansII

No, not stiff. I do not care for very fast rods. It's probably "medium fast" and I've yet to encounter a graphite rod that actually calls itself "medium", so it's no broomstick. For whatever it's worth, I have also heard that at that price the Greys rods are an excellent buy.