G. Loomis intros fully resigned Asquith fly rods for fresh and saltwater | Hatch Magazine
January 9, 2026 
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G. Loomis, the venerable, Woodland, Wash., rod manufacturer, announced this week the launch of the brand’s newly redesigned Asquith, a fast-action premium rod constructed in both fresh and saltwater models. The Asquith “represents a global collaboration between cutting-edge carbon engineering and elite rod-building craftsmanship,” G. Loomis announced Friday in a news release. “Asquith sets a new benchmark for innovation, precision, and on-water performance.”
It also sets a relatively new and lofty bar in high-end fly rod manufacturing circles: the most-modestly priced Asquith is $1,570. G. Loomis’ next-most-expensive rod is the NRX+ that retails at just under $1,000.
So, the question we’re all begging to ask: what makes a fly rod worth north of $1,500, for goodness sake?
According to G. Loomis, the value is in an “advanced evolution” of parent-company Shimano’s very own Spiral X carbon tape construction. The company says the Japanese-made rod tech “offers exceptional bending, torsional, and compressional rigidity in all directions.” This, according to the company, allows G. Loomis to construct an extremely lightweight rod that recovers well and displays both strength and transfer of energy.
If you’re paying attention, these are similar claims made by most premium fly-rod manufacturers that are investing more in materials technology today than perhaps ever before. The result is a steady flow of premium fly rods that are billed as the do-it-all implements fly fishers demand these days.
Given Shimano’s long history and experience building fishing rods, it would be a mistake to just dismiss, out of hand, this new offering from G. Loomis — especially when one considers that the original Asquith, almost 10 years on, remains one of the best fly rods on the market. Those who might take a gander at the new rod and see its eye-popping price tag are likely not among G. Loomis’ target audience for this product.
In addition to Shimano’s proprietary Toray Nanoalloy tech that goes into every Asquith rod blank, G. Loomis notes that no expenses have been spared when it comes to the rod’s hardware. From premium titanium stripping guides, to PVD recoil snake guides, the rod is purposely built, G. Loomis says.
Photo: G. Loomis.
“Every component and every contour is designed to deliver power without sacrificing finesse,” says Kade Gewanter, freshwater marketing manager for Shimano North America Fishing. “Whether you’re making precise casts into the wind or battling strong fish in heavy current, Asquith gives anglers the responsiveness and control needed to excel in all conditions.”
The Asquiths blanks are constructed in Kumamoto, Japan, assembled at the G. Loomis headquarters in Woodland. The rods, G. Loomis says, are the product of Shimano’s fishing-rod-building experience coupled with G. Loomis heritage as a premium fly-rod builder. The new Asquith is available in its freshwater version in weights 6 and 7. The saltwater version of the Asquith comes in weights 8-12. Rod weights 10 through 12 retail at $1,750.