Them: “The perfect small water fly rod doesn’t ex …”
Scratch that notion. It actually does exist and it comes in the form of the new G. Loomis IMX-PRO C Fly Rod. This little gem makes hunting fish in small streams, creeks and other small waters compact, light and enjoyable. And I have to say chasing bluegills on the fly with this road is about as much fun as an angler can have with a rod in their hand chasing panfish. I’ve had an absolute hoot fishing with this rod the last few months and thought I’d share some details about how it fishes and why I was first skeptical but now I can’t put the rod down.
The new G. Loomis IMX-PRO C line of fly rods are 7 feet, 9 inches and come in a 2-weight, 3-weight and 4-weight options made for fishing small creeks. These rods are built for close quarter combat on small fisheries where casting room is at a premium. They are made to be nimble and compact for target casting to fish. And I have to say as someone who is an avid big panfish hunter, this rod makes that pursuit so much more fun.
SPECIFICATIONS ON THESE IMX PRO CREEK FLY RODS
As I said, these rods are a little longer than 7 1/2 feet and come in 2-4 weight options. The rods are 4 piece rods with metal seat rings and a metal butt. A stable tip creates a moderate action that loads short but tracks true. Making your casts super accurate in close quarters like is found when you have to hike off the beaten path to get to fish others haven’t made it to.
Their Conduit Core technology removes excess wraps of graphite and replaces them with a proprietary material that’s of equal strength, but dramatically lighter in weight. So as the rod gets wider and bigger at the base, it’s not using more and heavier material. It results in a stronger, lighter rod with a lot of action and impressive power at lower weights.
Their Multi-Taper Design uses a series of “micro-tapers” to allow for more material on potential break points and less material everywhere else. Again making the rod stronger but lighter. They have one of the only custom rolling tables in manufacturing and it allows them to build such highly refined quality rods at smaller footprints.
REMOVING THE SMALL ROD SKEPTICISM
At first when I picked up the 2-weight IMX-PRO C I was pretty worried how hard it would be to cast. Being used to 9-foot fly rods and even 10 1/2-foot euro nymphing rods. I was afraid my casts would be much more difficult. But the shorter length makes this rod super nice for lots of casting options you don’t have for a long big rod in a tight quarters like a small stream with tight quarters like I fish a bit. Or fishing from the bank with lots of obstructions around me.
I can bow and arrow cast, roll cast, flip cast, side arm cast and of course conventional overhead cast with this rod. And the distance and accuracy has been impressive for this shorter rod. I think that’s a combination of the advanced engineering and materials but also sticking with the lighter weights to keep the rod responsive and nimble at a shorter length. If you tried to do the same with a 5, 6 or 7-weight rod it would be too stiff and unwieldy.
But I am able to place flies right where I want them and fight fish no problem. In fact I’ve landed some 3-pound fish on my 2 weight in the first few months of fishing already.
PREMIUM PERFORMANCE IN A SMALL WATER FLY ROD
These rods were designed for a unique fly fishing experience without sacrificing premium experiences. Fly fishing is about lots of micro variables to fool the absolute weariest of fish. And these rods greatly enhance that experience for me. I’m a small creek fisherman at heart. It’s how I learned to fish in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas. I spent every waking moment stalking bigger fish in smaller waters growing up and it still gives me the same thrill today. These rods have helped rekindle a love for fly fishing for me.
MY RECENT EXPERIENCES WITH THE IMX-PRO C FLY RODS
I’ve been fishing the smallest of the rods, the 2-weight option. I have an Orvis Battenkill I reel on it, loaded with 3 weight forward line to give me a bit more punch on my casts. It’s been a dynamite setup for me stalking trout in streams, smallmouth on rivers and panfish around the house. I’ve been going in the evenings nearly every night the last couple of weeks and catching dozens of big bluegills, small bass, some bonus smallmouth, and other fish on foam spiders, popping bugs, wooly buggers and some hopper dropper combos. It has been such a dang hoot get so many topwater strikes and takes on the dropper rig from big aggressive bluegill and the occasional bass ripping off line.
I am able to get good distance for a short rod. Roll casting has been really easy with this rod as well as quick pulls and put backs on missed strikes. I’ve caught a bunch of fish that missed by snatching and re-casting to the exact same spot. When they miss the bug, I pull and re cast and make it splash again. If you do that multiple times, it almost always generates follow-up strikes and connections. I love how compact I can break the rod down and throw it in a pack to take with me literally anywhere.
It comes in a nice roll up sleeve that is then housed inside a hard aluminum case for maximum protection while traveling.
I am a big fan of these small water specific fly rods and I think you will be too.
