Thomas & Thomas Paradigm 5WT 9'
In Stock • Bozeman, MT
- Lightweight Titanium finish Single Foot REC guides
- Matte Titanium finish roll-stamped hardware
- USA sourced Bird's Eye Maple spacers
- Beautiful new semi-gloss blue surface finish
- Hand-written logo, serial numbers, and additional visual accents
- Ultra-light rods with smooth, medium flex action for exceptional presentations.
Description
9' 5 weight, four-piece fly rod
The 905 Paradigm is one of the best casting presentation fly rods out there today with a classic, smooth loading progression. Ideal for dry fly fishing at close and mid-range distances when delicate accuracy is essential for success. We like this rod as one of our go-to choices for early summer PMD fishing on the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers where fish easily reach the 20” mark on a routine basis.
Medium Action
Ask a group of experienced anglers to name the greatest dry fly rod of all time, and the T&T Paradigm is sure to be mentioned more than once. Over twenty years later, we’ve followed the same inspiration that made the original into a legend to create a new Paradigm for the 21st century.
While the advance of technology has pushed the limits of rod weight, line speed, and casting distance, the essence of stalking a rising trout and presenting the fly remains unchanged. With this in mind, we set out to capture the unique feel that made the original Paradigm fly rods such a magical instrument.
Technology
Thomas & Thomas rods are built by a select group of skilled rodbuilding artisans, in our Greenfield MA factory. From the raw material preparation to the final layer of varnish — each step in the process is performed by a specialist with years of experience. We are proud to say that every aspect of the production process for every fly rod we sell occurs in-house.
Premium Graphite Options
Thomas & Thomas knows the finished fly rod is only as good as the materials that go into it, and that the stiffest graphite isn’t always the right choice for a given rod or purpose. Thomas & Thomas builds fly rods from a range of premium quality graphite with different strain rates and recovery speeds, providing the necessary elements for Tom Dorsey and our design team to create the most effective modern tapers and actions while maintaining the distinct Thomas & Thomas feel.
Proprietary Bonding Agents
The performance of graphite fibers is subject to the quality of the bonding agent that holds them together. Bonding technology has been improving rapidly in recent years, and T&T has been working with industry leaders to develop a proprietary resin that improves the performance of our graphite materials. Our new resin employs nano-scale particles to eliminate microscopic voids in the graphite. Filling these tiny gaps with our high-performance resin improves the strength, durability, and dampening characteristics of the rod blank while reducing overall weight.
Ferrule Reinforcement Process / FRP
On a multi-piece graphite fly rod, the areas immediately above each ferrule connection are the critical stress points at maximum load – that means these areas are subject to potential failure. Thomas & Thomas resolves this problem with our Ferrule Reinforcement Process – a strategic extra layer of high strength graphite we hand-roll over each ferrule section. In addition to reinforcing the ferrule strength and durability, FRP adds a distinct visual detail only available on Thomas & Thomas fly rods.
Optimal Blank Curing / OBC
The latest nano particle resins used in graphite rod blanks requires a meticulous curing process to unlock their unique performance qualities. Thomas & Thomas knows that subtle changes to the curing process with these resins can make a big difference in performance, so we take the curing process for our rod blanks very seriously. With our industry leading heat application method and precise temperature control, we meticulously regulate the process to ensure Optimal Blank Curing. OBC helps us achieve the highest level of performance with our premium graphite and bonding agents while maintaining product consistency and stringent quality control.
Low Friction Finish / LFF
When you pick up a Thomas & Thomas rod you will notice a something special about the way the blank feels to the touch. Our Low Friction Finish uses nano-technology to create a slick surface that repels water and defeats the surface tension that exerts drag on a fly line during the cast. The LFF gives Thomas & Thomas rods a performance advantage that you can feel, and is a key element in building rods that cast and shoot line effortlessly.
Warranty
Thomas & Thomas warrants its graphite and fiberglass fly rods and blanks against breakage due to defects in materials or workmanship for the life of the original purchaser as long as he/she retains ownership of the rod. The warranty shall be effective only for new rods purchased from an authorized Thomas & Thomas dealer and registered with Thomas & Thomas within 30 days of purchase.
Get information about registering your rod here.
T&T Paradigm
Q: What specific fishing scenarios did you design this rod for, and where do you feel it truly excels in performance? A: This is the moderate-action dry fly rod. For those with slower casting strokes or those who prioritize delicate presentations, this rod excels at pure finesse and presentation. The deep-loading blank provides ample feedback during casting, enabling controlled loop structure to carry delicate leaders.
While it can handle nymphs and streamers, the rod is best suited for protecting light tippets due to its more moderate action. It shines as a small-stream rod and excels at casting distances of 20-50ft.
Q: What fly line would you recommend pairing with this rod? A: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth Trout Standard
| empty | 20' cast | 30' Cast | 40' Cast | 50' Cast | 20' Wind | 30' Wind | 40' Wind | 50' Wind | Pile Cast 30' | Reach Cast 30' | Reach Cast 30' Wind | False Cast 30' | False Cast 30' Wind | FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caster 1 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 41 |
| Caster 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 53 |
| Caster 3 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 42 |
| Combined | 11.5 | 11.5 | 10.5 | 11 | 10.5 | 11 | 11 | 10.5 | 11 | 11 | 10.5 | 11 | 11 | 142 |
10' 5x leader with Yard Indicator
- It is definitely a rod for in close at the 20’-30’ range. It felt like tracking at distance felt tippy.
- The rod is light in hand. Incredibly smooth. Is good short, but better long. Excels between 30-40’.
- The grip is good, but the reel seat is a bit long. Medium action, nice in close. A touch loose at 40’ and 50’.
The Thomas & Thomas Paradigm 5-weight is a refined, medium-action rod that excels in close with a smooth, fluid feel and excellent control in the 20’–30’ range. It placed sixth in the dry fly course. It’s light in hand and remains composed out to 50’, though some casters noted a slightly loose or tippy feel at longer distances. The rod tracks well at typical dry fly ranges and offers a pleasant, easy rhythm that makes it ideal for technical presentations and finesse fishing. A top-tier choice for anglers who prioritize delicacy, feel, and classic dry fly performance in a modern build.
