Hi friends,
About a month ago, Allen fly rod company asked me to test their new trout spey Olympic 5120. 5 weight, 12 feet 4 piece spey. After few weeks of testing, here it is the first review…
Appearance: The rod is very simple looking, matt black graphite blank with minimum "Spartan like" finish which is really attractive looking to me, my type of rods. The cork is good quality, not premier but good enough to fulfill a fish bum's need. With full well shape handle that longer than most of the switch rods. I feel this is a really important factor (to me) when applying Skagit type of casting techniques is needed. The "neck portion" of the fore grip is slightly slim profile than most of the switch rods, I found this is a very important feature. It increases sensitivity during the casting. It increases the feel comes from blank response. (IMO most of the switch rod's handle are too thick to fish it comfortably). TFO DeerCreek series is the exception in the market, I love those DC as well as Meiser's signature handles. Those "thin neck" handles really make me feel the rod during the cast.
Action and power: Allen trout spey 5120 has relatively full flex profile, reminded me a lot of my Dredger 12'9 6/7(G Loomis). Deep bent all the way into the cork, yet, it can exert certain power when asked. Medium power tip, and medium recovery rate. This rod do not has super fast recovery as most of the top end rods (G Loomis NRX, Sage One, or Meiser MKS series) In other words, not as "snappy" as those rods. However, this medium power not necessary is a bad thing when we are dealing with a trout spey league. It's mid power and mid recovery rate actually make this rod more "soulful" than most of the fast action switch rods. (comparing to some mid priced famous brands, or even some top end switch rods. I have to admit I am really impressed with this little rod) Who would think mid power and mid recovery rate graphite can make a good fishing too?! Well… if you are obsessed with some soulful old graphite like SAGE LL, Scott G , Wiston IM6 trout rods…well this is "the soulful feeling" I am talking about! This rod get feels! For analogy, it is like a home made gravie, creamy, buttery and rich in flavors. Yet, give you sufficient nutrition for the day. Truth been told, this rod has a good line control ability which is more important when dealing with most trout waters. Flipping heavy streamers into pocket water or deep slot of the runs is way important than powerful cast IMO. See below for more spec info.
Fishing : I fish this rod for about a month now. It has been eye opening experience that how this little trout rod can handle some silly big sinktips and big flies(see below). In addition to my test, I also gave this rod to some newbies' hands and observe how they learn from this rod. IMO, a good rod not only have to be felt good in experienced hands, but also should be loved by beginners. I am shocked how well it casted in several newbies' hands. (see video)
Skagit head and Ed Ward's sustain anchor casting:
After fiddled with several Skagit short heads, I am settled with two lines for this rod Skagit 350 grain 20' head paired with 10' T8 sinktip. Crispy feel and a lot of Oomph power. It give a lot of authority and crispy "Pops" when casting lighter streamers range from 1" woolybuggers to 2.5 inches small lead eyed zonker flies. I really love this set up for low and clear condition and poking pocket waters. To me, line control and accuracy is way more important than distance in trout fishing. The 5120 do it well and give me complete control.
Skagit 420 grain 18' head paired with 10' T14 sinktip. Yes, this is a feather-weight silly trout spey launching 5-7 inches articulated zoo cougar types of flies. And it cut though the wind like you won't believe. Evan has warned me that this stick is butter smooth. It is! When paired with 420 grain Skagit short head and cast with Ed Ward's sustain anchor style, this rod really show its enriched power and smoothness (see video). During most of the situations, we are dealing with small trout waters, "flipping" streamer is the basic action we do. Good line control and be able to launch a huge fly with accuracy is the top priority. Especially when you try to feed those big browns under tight overhang canopy (at least, this is the experience in my rivers). I feel this smoothness and buttery accuracy is the feel that make this rod stand out.
I haven't get a chance to try other scandi lines and mid belly. But I have planned to do so in the near future.
Disclaimer: I am not associated with Allen rod co.… Just doing it for free and for sharing my first hand experience…
Mark