Icon II Rod Series

First, I really liked how this rod feels, great casting rod. However, the original rod snapped while reeling in a 14” rainbow. I thought that was weird but stuff happens. So, I paid the $75? plus shipping to have it replaced. The second rod snapped removing the fly from a trouts mouth. Another $75? plus shipping. The 3rd rod snapped after 3 practice casts in my back yard. I had not fished with it yet. I won’t be spending more $ for a replacement. The company wanted to charge me again! I have several fly rods and have not experienced this with any of my other rods. Mostly Sage. I am very careful with all my fly rods and I would admit if I was abusing the rod. I can only assume it’s a quality control issue. 2 stars because I did like fishing with it. 0 stars for quality and dependability.

I use this rod primarily for trout but have taken it to Punta Allen, Mx to fish for bonefish. I am able to cast better in the wind than with my 8 wt Sage.

My 8 weight was tested big time during our Cape Cod albie run this fall and not only did the rod cast smoothly it handled the severe rod bending of the albies as they sounded or neared the boat. Usually I use 10 weights for false albacore but decided to give the icon a try. So far so good.

I have many 5 wts from different brands and this is my favorite by far. It throws line so effortlessly. I hope the other wts of this rod are as nice.

I have two Icon II , I love these rods .I am a retired guide and was pro staff at different times for two major rod producers . These Icon's are some of the cleanest casting rods I have ever used and at a price several hundred dollars less than their competitors comparable rods .They are very fast and clean but do not have a loss of feeling (stiffness) you get in faster rods .

My new 5wt is everything I hoped it would be. I use it for dry flies, soft hackle, and have even thrown small streamer with it. It roll casts every well but I'm impressed mostly by how accurately it presents a fly. Thanks again for a great rod.

Recently purchased this rod (6 wt.) along with an Omega2 reel. This combination casts like a dream with Scientific Anglers Amplitude line installed. This line loads the rod very well for nearly effortless casting.

I bought an 8wt icon to hunt for stripers and bluefish up here in MA. 90/10 beach boat. It is a real 8wt, not a heavy 8 that really should be a 9, so it fishes true to weight. I mostly fish deceivers (2/0), and bigger clousers (2/0, 1/0) off the beaches of the south shore and cape cod.

First thing, this rod is gorgeous. When i was looking on the website, i wasn't sold on the color, but once you open the tube up, its a whole different story. Its gorgeous. The reel seat and guides are beautiful and bring the whole rod together. Its just a little less "flash" than the other allen rods. The rod tube, while sexy looking, is not useful. its a metal tube with no strap, and its very difficult to get the rod back in the tube. I actually switched it out for my old compass tube which is great.

The rod casts very nice. You can feel the rod load nicely on the backcast, making timing pretty easy. Im no 100' caster by any means, but 5" 2/0 deceivers get to 70' without a whole lot of effort.

A lot of my fishing is sight casting to fish on sandy flats, making accuracy almost more important than distance. This thing is a machine. Its like being in a video game. Its incredible how many times I can drop a fly right on my spot. Every. Single. Time.

Summary: Its a true 8wt. Its GORGEOUS. Rod tube needs replacing. Casts bigger flies with ease. Super Accurate. This is one of those ones youll have a LONG time.

Fished a premier trout stream for three days in the wind in PA casting dry flies. Have to say it cut through the wind and dropped the #12 and #14 dries better than expected. Balanced the Allen Trout II reel perfectly. Was the perfect rod to use all day without any problems. This is the real deal. TruST Me!

~doubletaper

As an FYI I have more rods that you can shake a stick at....LOL including premium Sage, Redington, Hardy and Echo. I am primarily a dry fly guy and bought t the ICON 2 in a 8 1/2 foot 4 weight. I am blown away and how well it casts in terms of both feel and accuracy. My overall all time favorite dry fly rod is a 9 foot hardy Zenith 4 wt.........which won tons of accolades when it was introduced......and the ICON reminds me exactly of all the charecteristics of that rod. I consider it medium fast and its a joy to cast and hard to put down.