Fly Tyer Magazine Editor’s Choice for Rod of the Year. I’ve had some time to play around with the new generation of rods designed for Euro-style nymph-fishing techniques, and my nod for “rod of the year” goes to the entire Greys XF2 Streamflex line of nymph rods. English fly-fishing competition champion Howard Croston worked with Greys ...to create five rods to match just about any nymph-fishing situation. There’s a 10-foot-long rod for either a two, three, or four weight line, or an 11-footer for either a three or four weight. These rods are part of the Greys XF2 Streamflex series. I’ve spent most of my time with the 10-foot, two-weight, and it’s a real hoot to use. While it might not have the backbone to efficiently handle really BIG fish (I caught a couple of honest 20-inch-long landlocked salmon in heavy current on my home waters of Grand Lake Stream, and felt a tad under-gunned), if you live near a stream that has smaller to medium-size fish (which is probably the majority of us), it does a very admirable job. If you fish water that has larger trout or salmon, one of the three- or-four-weight rods will work perfectly for you. (I’ve spent time with various three- and four-weight nymph-fishing rods, and I am very impressed with how well they handle large fish.) And, for those times when the insects start popping off the water and the fish start rising, this Streamflex rod has a gentle, effortless casting stroke more akin to bamboo than a modern-day graphite rod; while it was designed as a nymph-fishing rod, you can easily use it with a standard casting stroke. The thought that went into their design, and the broad selection and affordability of these rods—none cost more than $400—make them a “best buy” and my choice for the new rod of the year. For more information about the entire Greys XF2 Streamflex series, go to www.hardyna.com, and look for the link to Greys.Redeveloping the industry leading Greys Streamflex rod wasn't easy. Designed for the most technical and demanding of light line anglers , we've improved the Streamflex's legendary smoothness and in-hand balance with totally redesigned blanks and custom fittings , as well as adding additional apecialised sizes to meet the demands of today's technical angler. A light line rod range that can't be matched. THIS IS A TROUT ROD !!!! All new, in house designed , aerospace grade alloy reel fittings. Triangular colour coded Cordura rod tube. High Modulus construction. Section line up marks. AAA grade cork and composite hybrid handle. Anodised aluminium reel seat with Maple Burl wood spacer. Twin reel seat lock nuts with Delrin O-Rings. Single foot guides.