G. Loomis NRX Rods Explained

New NRX Rods

Oh my gosh, where do we begin? The NRX rods are truly a paradigm shifting product. Named “Best of Show” at ICAST and “Best New Fly Rod” at the European EFTTEX Fishing Show it’s obvious that these are truly very special high performance rods. Simply put, nothing like this has ever been made before. “Amazing” just doesn’t begin to describe the rods Steve Rajeff and his design crew have created here. Probably the best way to tell you about these new rods is step-by-step through all of the innovative features. So here goes.

NRX Blank

Loomis has developed an entirely new graphite sheet material for the NRX rods. This material has a higher density, greater stiffness, yet is lighter than any graphite sheet material Loomis has ever used, including GLX. I’m tempted to get way too technical here, but some basic understanding of nano technology is really necessary to illustrate just how innovative these rods are. Nano tubes are small. Very, very small. The diameter of a human hair would be between 25,000 to 60,000 nano tubes wide. Small. What this means is that the exposed surface area is exponentially greater than “normal” atoms or molecules. When manufacturing a rod blank the resin (most of a rod blank’s weight) can be thinner, more viscous, yet because of the increased surface area create a stronger, lighter, harder, and far more sensitive blank. Additionally, nano tubes have a tenacity to fill in weak spots (graphite sheet overlap areas) creating additional “reinforcement” around the graphite scrim and seam. So you end up with a blank that is far lighter, stronger, and more sensitive yet more impact resistant than even the benchmark-setting GLX blank.

NRX Feel

This is not usually spoken about as a feature but let’s face it, this is (or should be) why we purchase one rod over another. All the features listed are what contribute to making a rod with feel or what those in the rod business call “life”. Sensitivity is measured in frequency transfer but every hand on every man or woman has a different way of processing this into what their brain tells them. It may tell them to let the lure continue to fall down the face of a rock wall or that the last 4 bites came out of the gravel instead of the sand so they should work the lure slower in that zone once they are in it. It might just tell them – “tick”- you better set the hook. But having a tool that will let the angler differentiate those things is the key to the focus of what NRX is all about. G. Loomis wanted every angler to be able to feel what G. Loomis is capable of, all the while with the performance and craftsmanship that G. Loomis lives and dies by. The NRX will make you a better fisherman plain and simple.

NRX Reel Seat

This was a real “ah-ha” moment for us! Every model of NRX rod uses a custom molded G. Loomis “on the blank” reel seat that is designed to mate to that specific blank for that particular model rod. This means that there is basically no “gap” between the rod blank and inside diameter of the reel seat so the rod can transmit feeling far better than any conventional reel seat, which all use a shim or spacer tube for fit. Add to this the exposed blank (casting rods) that passes through the reel seat and you have what has to be the world’s most sensitive fishing rod.

NRX Guide Train

Unique? You bet! The stripper (primary) guide (the one closest to the foregrip) plus the two above it are all Fuji SiC Titanium Frame guides. Those beyond the third guide up to the tip top are all single footed black ion coated aluminum titanium Recoil guides developed jointly by G. Loomis and REC Components specifically for the NRX rods. They are smoother than the usual Recoil guides, so offer less line friction as the line passes over their surfaces. What this guide train configuration creates is a slight shift rearward of weight for better rod balance, elimination of almost all (80%+) Recoil guide noise, and a slightly stiffer rod. Overall the rod will perform better, cast further, and be more accurate than any other rod on the market.

NRX Handle

First, all of the casting and spinning rods are split grips which is a “first” for G. Loomis. Additionally, all are cork. But not just any cork. Loomis is using a new high density (HD) cork for the first time on these rods. Being denser, you would expect the weight to increase, but because this cork requires so little “fill” the handles are actually lighter than the equivalent rods in non-NRX materials. They have a wonderfully “solid” feel yet are so light and silky to the touch while enhancing the overall rod sensitivity. Take it from me, having seen and used these rods, the cork handles are truly beautiful and some of the best we have ever seen on any rod at ANY price.

NRX Cosmetics

The NRX rods are unpainted black blanks with blue wrappings. Initially I was not a big fan of the blue wraps, but after you use one of these rods that issue will never be an issue again, trust me! Otherwise these rods are pure function without a lot of superfluous cosmetics that don’t contribute to the rods performance. They look like what they are intended – pure, unadultered fish-catching tools.

NRX Prices

As Steve Rajeff said, “be prepared for some sticker shock.” The casting and spinning rods retail for between $450 to $500, the Fly rod between $700 for the 3 weight trout to $1,170 for the 15′ NRX Stinger. Expensive? Yes, but when you consider what some of the JDM rods sell for, not so much so. And these rods are the world’s best. Period.

NRX Included Features

Every NRX rod, like all G. Loomis rods, is made in Woodland, Washington USA in the G. Loomis factory. Every NRX rod, whether casting, spinning, or fly will include a custom G. Loomis rod sleeve. All NRX Fly Rods will also include a custom G. Loomis rod case. All NRX rods include the G. Loomis limited lifetime warranty. All rods are designed by the world’s best rod designer, Steve Rajeff of G. Loomis.

NRX Availability

ALL NRX rods will be “rolled out” on August 14. We have EVERY NRX rod offered on order and will have them on our web site on August 14, 2010. We expect a very strong response, so it is recommended that you subscribe to the “early bird gets the worm” parable and place your order as early as possible on Saturday, August 14, 2010 to avoid disappointment.

Click to view the definitive G. Loomis NRX Rods page including model information.

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