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Travel Rod Test

Manufacturer: Redington
Model: Red Fly RF4906
No of sections: 4
Length: 9'
Line weight: 5/6
Price: £155

Description

Dark blue blank with black wraps and tip over butt ferrules. Good size chrome American snake rings and lined stripping guide. Average cork handle with functional Fuji reel seat. Supplied in a rod sack with translucent green plastic tube. Lifetime guarantee worldwide for the original owner. New for the 2001 season.

Testers' comments

Peter Sutton: The Red Fly rods are Redington's budget range but they carry the same lifetime warranty as the other rods they make and bearing in mind the price, the build quality and finish is quite good, although once again we have a rather small stripping ring and some heavy varnishing. The cork used for the handle is quite poor but the Fuji-type reel fitting, whilst not as attractive as some of the other more fancy fittings, is totally functional and I've yet to find a reel that isn't held totally safe and secure by one of these. They are also salt water OK.

The rod has a dual rating of 5/6 but this is definitely a 6 weight rod with bags of power. Quite enough power to be happy on any of our big reservoirs in fact. In the hand this rod has a light crisp feel with the action inclining towards the tip. There was a pleasant lack of vibration in use and casts of 90' were easily achievable. The rod wasn't quite so happy with very short casts however although I don't consider this a serious problem. Loop control was quite good and considerable lengths of running line could be shot to achieve long distances.

All in all this is a high performance budget priced rod with a good guarantee and it should appeal to novice and experienced anglers alike. If I was looking for a rod in this price range I would certainly consider it.

Terry Lawton: Peter has said virtually everything that there is to say about this rod. I thought that it had a good feel and that both short and long casts were OK. It could have been better when roll casting.

Although the reel seat is not pretty, it is not going to let anyone down and is, no doubt, dictated by the need to build the rod down to a price. Having said, that, it still has a protective rod tube: essential for any serious travel rod surely?

Summary

Very good rod for the money. 8/10

The rods

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