The G. Loomis NRX+ 595is my “go-to” fly rod for most of the indicator nymphing style of fly-fishing that is a constant part of most of days on the water here in Southwest Montana. The added length (9.5’ versus a standard 9’) makes for effortless line mends and gives the angler a bit more leverage when landing fish in a drift-boat.
The rod is light in hand and feels relatively stiff throughout it’s length – this is helpful when fishing strike indicator rigs with split shot and tandem nymph rigs. I have long preferred the 9.5’ length for everyday indicator fly-fishing for and have settled on the NRX+ in a 5 weight as my preferred choice since I started fishing with it in 2021.
The NRX+ freshwater family of fly rods from G. Loomis are packed with features and technology that have made them among the most desirable on the market today. Handmade in Washington, the 595 NRX+ features Titanium SiC stripping guides and single foot recoil guides which both enhance the lightweight feel of the rod and aid in shooting line. The rod blank is built on proprietary multi-modulus compound tapers and feature advanced resins in their construction. The result is a purpose-built fly rod that is lightweight, easy to cast, powerful, and incredibly durable as well.
Line mending is essential when fly-fishing with strike indicators and, although a 9’ rod will certainly do the trick, a 9.5’ fly rod is ideal. I have often heard people say that they prefer a 10’ rod as it makes mending even easier than a 9.5’ foot fly rod. Although that is an advantage for the 10’ rods, they are significantly heavier and difficult to cast in the wind. A 9’ fly rod works well for everyday use, but they don’t handle long mends as well when wading and fishing with more than 30’ of fly line on the water. So, I have long been a fan of the 9.5’ 5 weight configuration as my preferred fly rod model for strike-indicator fly-fishing.
It's important to note that this 9.5’ 5 weight fly rod configuration is a niche model and shouldn’t be someone’s everyday 5 weight! Additionally, this is not the rod to choose if you are looking to get into European Style Nymphing – you would want a rod with a softer tip and a fighting butt. However, if you find yourself - like I do - nymphing with tandem fly rigs, split shot, and strike indicators more days than not – the NRX+ 595 has earned its place as my preferred fly rod for this most common fly-fishing technique.
I match this rod with the Rio Elite Xtream Indicator Fly Line for everyday nymphing, whether I am fishing from a boat or wading.
I highly recommend this fly rod if you are planning to join us on a Bozeman guided fly-fishing trip or making your way out to the Western USA to do some fishing on your own as well. Reach out with any questions via e-mail, I have fished just about every modern fly rod in this configuration and find most of them to be great choices! The single foot recoil guides and blank construction give the NRX+ 595 an edge in my mind.
