ASQ 690-4

Reviews

1. Rated 4 out of 5

   : In my hands, the Asquith 9’ 6-weight casts with greater loop control than power. It loads naturally with a standard WF6F line and creates easy, medium-width loops. This is an ideal action for nymphing and dry fly fishing, but perhaps not for streamers. The first word that comes to mind is “smooth.” Butt section power is sufficient for streamers and awkward nymph rigs, but this is a progressive flexing rod, the action of which differs meaningfully from that of the Sage Method or Scott Radian. This is a rod that I would “cast all day,” but not “hammer.”

   Line Pairings: Rio Gold, SA MPX, SA Stillwater, Rio InTouch Sink Tip, SA Sonar Sink Tip, SA Mastery Distance

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 4 out of 5

   This model struck me as an extremely pleasant caster. It felt like I was holding a four weight and exhibited power and speed I typically expect to see in a 7 or 8 weight while not compromising the touch you demand in 6 weight. This is a fly rod that will accept a wide range of casting strokes and styles and help casters of all ability levels perform at a higher level. Roll casting was excellent, the touch required to mend was evident, and overall this is one of the better trout specific 6 weights out there.

   Richard Post (The Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 4 out of 5

   Like all the Asquith rods, “crazy light in the hand” comes to mind immediately when you sweep this rod into a backcast. With an Elite Gold or an Infinity taper, the rod is excellent, although the Gold casts lighter with the rod and seems to balance out the rod’s natural taper a shade better. It is a more automatic combination and slightly more tuned. I like how hard you can hit this rod without it tailing, but at the same time you need to drive this rod more than others. It is a rod that won’t give you anything back you don’t put into it. Some of this comes from the half wells grip in my opinion. I would like a little more cork under my thumb to gain a bit more leverage over the blank. This is a 6-weight for a very exacting caster. It is a highly refined and technical feeling fly rod, best suited in my opinion to throwing terrestrials at distance all day long.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   From the half wells grip, to the lightness of this Loomis 690-4 Asquith, it feels like a 6wt that was designed for more technical scenarios. At first touch, you would not think that you have a 6wt in your hand. Once you begin to let some line out with this rod, you will soon begin to realize that this is in fact a 6wt, and a powerful one at that. The powerful feel coming from this rod, however, does not make me think nymphing. I would prefer to have this rod in my hand on a windy, mid-summer day, paired with a Rio Elite Gold, as the grasshoppers are finding themselves taking a swim on that nearby shady bank.

   Jim Harris (Telluride Angler)

5. Rated 4 out of 5

   This is a great all around rod. It is very light in hand and casts well at all distances. The rod itself is very powerful, but don’t be afraid to tie on a small dry fly while fishing. It has superior feel for a fast action 6wt rod and has that same “air like” quality that all of the Asquith rods do. I’ve played around with quite a few fly lines on this rod and have come to the conclusion that the Asquith 690/4 with a Rio Elite Gold is easily one of the finest rod/line pairings out there. I have found other lines that I like, but the Elite Gold is pure magic. I really wish we could see this rod with a more aggressive full wells grip, but that doesn’t take away from the pure sweetness of the rod.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)