G. Loomis Asquith (Gen II) 8WT 9'
In Stock • Bozeman, MT
- Custom Fixed Hood Reel Seat
- Premium Componentry: Black PVD Snake Guides
- Aluminum rod tube with cloth rod bag
- Designed & handcrafted in Woodland, Washington. Blanks rolled in Kumamoto, Japan.
Description
The Asquith Saltwater series stands as the pinnacle of fly rod innovation, redefining both style and performance as the flagship of G. Loomis. Crafted on a Spiral X Core blank crafted Kumamoto, Japan, and meticulously hand-assembled in Woodland, Washington, each rod combines exceptionally light swing weight with refined actions and uncompromising durability. Premium components, including Fuji T3 black Titanium SIC stripper guides and PVD recoil snake guides, ensure flawless line management, while the redesigned G. Loomis reel seat, with its curved fixed hood and precision knurling, provides optimized control in every cast. Purpose-built for the pursuit of aspirational fish, the Asquith series embodies the future of fly-fishing technology, where precision, power, and elegance converge.
Features
- Custom Fixed Hood Reel Seat: A new curved, fixed hood design offering improved reel clamping performance, along with elevated knurl feel on nut components Spiral X Core: Spiral X Core blanks are rolled in Kumamoto Japan, an advanced evolution of Spiral X, this technology utilizes carbon tape crafted from high-strength resin developed with Toray Nano alloy® technology. Material properties enables bending, torsional, and compressional rigidity in all directions
- Premium Componentry: Black PVD Snake Guides
- Aluminum rod tube with cloth rod bag
- Designed & handcrafted in Woodland, Washington. Blanks rolled in Kumamoto, Japan.
Technology
The TaperTec design philosophy builds upon our heritage of rod-building innovation by leveraging mathematical modeling prior to mandrel production. Compared to an iterative rod-building approach, TaperTec allows our team to optimize rod designs and fine-tune actions before prototyping to shorten development timelines and minimize environmental impact. For anglers, TaperTec delivers lighter and more efficient tools with optimized weight and strength to boost effectiveness on the water.
Warranty
*G. Loomis rods are covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty against non-conformities in workmanship and materials for the life of the original owner.
*G. Loomis will not warranty items used for commercial or rental purposes.
https://www.gloomis.com/pages/warranty-form
G. Loomis Asquith
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Q: What specific fishing scenarios did you design this rod for, and where do you feel it truly excels in performance? A: This is our concept car product in the fly arena. All-new G. Loomis offering using Spiral X core technology, still rolled in Kumamota, Japan. The product performs with enhanced balance for a feeling of weightlessness and effortless casting. New reel seat for improved ergonomic and versatility for hold positions in every scenario.
Q: What fly line would you recommend pairing with this rod? A: RIO Elite Flats Pro or RIO Elite Bonefish
| empty | Short | Medium | Long | FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caster 1 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.4 | 24.1 |
| Caster 2 | 7.9 | 8.6 | 8.2 | 25.2 |
| Caster 3 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 24.5 |
| Combined | 23.8 | 24.7 | 25.3 | 73.8 |
- I’m personally not a fan of the reel seat on this rod. Great rod, but if price is factored in, this would be equivalent to or lower than Echo Boost Blue.
- I’m undecided on the base of the cork on this rod. With that said, absolute copies of loops. This rod puts out the best loops of any rod I have casted today. Surprisingly good in short – no shockwaves. Lots of horsepower without ‘bulk.’
- Not as deep of a bend as other rods, but a ton of power and fast! At 30’ I feel like i need to do a little more. Much shorter strokes to get line out – enables me to get in my normal cadence. Very, very high line speed at 40’ (medium). Really like this rod at length – amazing speed.
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The overall winner of the 8-weight course, this rod distinguished itself with incredibly tight loops and precision. Time and again, it produced identical, controlled loops and exceptionally high line speed — particularly from 40 feet and beyond — where its fast action and ample power truly separated it from the field. At length, it was simply impressive: efficient, authoritative, and capable of carrying serious line without feeling bulky.
In close, feedback was slightly mixed. While it was surprisingly good at short range with no noticeable shockwaves, it did require a bit more input at 30 feet compared to deeper-loading rods. The bend profile is relatively shallow and fast, favoring shorter strokes and a quicker cadence — something some casters appreciated for efficiency, while others noted required minor adjustment. With the combined scores of the three casters, this rod surprisingly finished as the best rod in close by a narrow margin.
There were also a few fit-and-finish considerations. Multiple casters weren't a fan of the reel seat, and there was some hesitation about the integration into the cork. When factoring in price, opinions suggested it falls in line with — or potentially below — the performance value of other rods.
Bottom line: elite loop control and standout line speed carried this rod to the top of the 8-weight board. If you prefer fast, powerful rods that excel at distance and reward a crisp stroke, this one clearly proved its merit.
