Aventik Stalker Fly Fishing Rod with Extra Tip and Rod Tube

I have fallen in love with this rod and ultralight fly fishing!! I just received it and couldn't wait to get it out on the water. Here in Alaska, we have a wide range of fish species to pursue from King Salmon to small grayling so having the right rod for the species makes all the difference. I have been fly fishing for more than 30 years, mostly in Montana/Wyoming/Idaho for many species of trout and for the last 10 years fly fishing all over Alaska. As a dry fly aficionado and missing my small spring creeks or the bountiful lakes and streams in Yellowstone National Park I have become spoiled. I didn't take to successful salmon fishing in the beginning but it seemed all people do up here. I had relegated my fly tying kit and 3wt, 4wt, 5wt rods to the closet thinking I wouldn't find much good dry fly fishing. Boy was I mistaken...I have found many places with wonderful grayling fishing in streams just like I loved in the lower 48. I started chasing after these grayling with my Winston 4wt just out of familiarity but I did have a little TFO 3wt I picked up when I thought I would be in Easter Idaho for a few years and dug it out as a better fit for the 8"-18" grayling I was finding. The 4wt was fun but the shorter 3wt was easier to use and the fish were a blast. Then one day, poking around on Amazon I ran across the Aventik Z Short & Light Ultra Light 4pc fast action Fly Rods 7'6'' LW2wt at a price I worried would be the quality of the rod. It arrived and I couldn't wait to try this tiny 2wt in the real world. I couldn't have been happier, beyond thrilled... it arrived in excellent condition, the rod appears well made, and looks good. I got to use it on a backcountry creek in Wrangell/St. Elias National Park over the weekend and being that it was my first time using anything smaller than a 3wt I had some doubts, especially with the breeze that picked up (of course). Turned out it cast so crisply, throwing tight loops cutting through the wind, so accurate and still delicate in it's presentation. I fell in love with the rod after the first few casts. I am not a brand name snob, but I love my classic Winton IM6 from the late nineties and it holds a cherished place in my heart, I am afraid it will get even less use now that I have discovered ultra light fly fishing. I have too many (if you ask my ex-wife) fly rods but having owned and fished a wide range of fly rods from Orvis, Thomas & Thomas, Winston, Scott, Reddington, and TFO I have found the differences in casting technique to be unique to each one. All things considered, I love the moderate action of my Winston best, but each rod from 3wt to 10wt to have it's own personality. I have to say that this 2wt felt like it fit my hand like an extension of my arm, so much fun to cast, smooth action for a faster rod, and the most supple and delicate fly presentation. I say all this because as someone with some experience, I found this rod to exceed my expectations in all facets...quality construction, looks, performance, and value. I would not believed a rod at this price would be this good. The only issue I had was the reel seat did not fit my Ross Gunnison 1 reel, the up locking threads did not extend far enough to secure the foot at all. I am not sure if the seat insert is too deep or the threads too short, but I had to improvise in camp by fitting a plastic wedge into the seat gap to fill the space and even then it was barely enough. All is all, I had so much fun with this rod I am now going to try a Aventik Ultra light fly rod in a 6’1” 0wt/1wt and add to my collection for those even smaller creeks hidden away up here. I am not easily impressed and I cannot be grateful I took a chance on this unknown rod.

**UPDATE** Replacement rod was sent out no questions asked. I was extremely nervous using this rod considering my experience with the previous one. I am happy to report that this pole is fantastic. Effortlessly casts, and was able to hold through a good fight with not only trout, but the local bass here as well. I am completely surprised and extremely satisfied/impressed with the quality of the rod. Last rod definitely must've been damaged in delivery or something. Just, WOW!! *Original Review* Was completely stoked that the rod was beautiful, comes in this amazingly sleek case, the rod casts wonderfully. Was super impressed with this rod up until I got the strike. Pulled on the fly line, and it snapped in two pieces. Lost the fish and reeled in the other half of my pole. I am desperately hoping this was not a common thing for this rod, and have ordered a replacement hoping that the one I got was just....defective from shipment in some way? Will update review based on replacement.

Overall, this rod is nice and I use it from time to time when I just feel like throwing dry flies for brookies on small streams. The action and power are right about where I’d expect, and I like that this 2wt came at a 7.5’ length, such that I can get that 2wt feel without sacrificing reach (which is important for bow-n-arrow casting). The only aspect of this rod that bother me is the grip. The cork is fine, but the half wells profile isn’t contoured at all. This is maybe a bit difficult to describe but, suffice it to say, while it does taper at the top of the grip, the grip is otherwise just a flat-walled cork cylinder with none of radiating that you’d expect for a half wells. Frankly, I don’t know if it really has any functional impact, but getting this little detail wrong makes the rod look cheaper than it needed to.

I'm a new fly fisherman with 60+ years of other fishing experience. I've been studying fly fishing for many months and finally purchased 4 different rods and reels (KastKing Honors, Sougayilang combo, TFO Axiom II-x, and this Aventik rod (after many hours of research). This rod in my humble opinion is spectacular - the fit, finish, attention to detail in the rod and case are far better than the 1st 2 (which I am returning) and perhaps as good or better than the TFO Axiom II-2x that I purchased in a 5 weight. I fitted this 3 weight with a Maxcatch Avid 3/4 reel and a 3 weight line (for pond fishing panfish and small trout) and this will likely be my goto setup unless I'm expecting to land a largemouth bass or lake-sized fish. I certainly would defer to those fly fishing folks with more knowledge and experience than I as for the casting nuances, but with my inexperienced hands this little rod is really easy to cast and a real joy to use. From my research, it's a high end design and construction using IM12 blanks and the construction appears to be fine craftsmanship. I know I won't hesitate to buy another Aventik rod.

Man this is an awsome rod. Im new to fly fishing, but have tried a few rods so far this one's my favorite by far

I am an experienced fly fisherman and decided to try out a 2-weight rod for giggles and to have a lightweight rod that isn't precious to take backpacking. Loved the price on this rod figured I'd give it a go. First impressions were great! Very lightweight, nice fit and finish, great whip and action, just what I was looking for at an unbelievable price. Rigged it up, went out on the river and was absolutely slaying the trout. I was on fire! And then... After thirty or so small to medium trout I picked up a hit at the tail end of a riffle, set the hook and...SNAP. The rod broke off at the top of the handle. The fiberglass broke clean through and the cork snapped in half. Needless to say, I had trouble getting that fish landed. Maybe it's was just a fluke. I've ordered a replacement. We'll see. I wasn't expecting high quality at this price, but a rod snapping at that location is extremely unusual. I'm hoping rod #2 performs as well in all categories but one.

Haven't had a chance to use it yet, other than a few practice casts in the lawn...seems like a very high quality rod with good attention to detail...

Very nice rod. Perfect for mountain streams

Aventikというメーカーは初めて知りました。ワインレッドのブランクスとIM12に惹かれて購入。シングルフットのガイド、フェルールのポジションは、ドットでなくラインと、凝った作りです。中華ロッド特有の一番手上位のパワーを配慮して#2を購入。仕上がりは非常に良いです。ロッドは想像以上に軽くラインを載せないで軽く振った感じではミディアムファスト？の印象。然しながら#3ラインを乗せると非常に良いです。丁度良い。それと、期待していなかったグリップの太さもピッタリ。まだラインを乗せて振ってみただけで釣行の時間が取れず悔しい日々を過ごしております。その日がとても楽しみになるロッドです。 追伸 その後、管理釣り場で試しました。指定の#2wfのフローティングライン（Maxcatch perception）で実釣。40cmクラスが掛かっても充分な余力を感じます。バットが強くてミドルからティップへとよく曲がり大変楽しめるロッドです。仕様としてはファストです。 キャスティングも、ラインの特性によると思いますが良く飛びます。速いタイトループから綺麗にターンしてくれました。ドライも、#2ですと着水が穏やかでいいです。

何と言っても軽いのがびっくりです。 ティムコのインファンテ905と比べても軽いですね！ 所謂ファストアクションのロッドは持っていなかったので、あまり期待せず道楽のつもりで手を出してみましたがなかなか使えそうです。 ファストアクションだけあってやはり硬いですね。 インファンテの5番よりも硬いです。 フライラインは♯4よりも♯5の方がしっくりきました。 実質8"6'の♯4/5って感じです。 ♯4/5の軽めのリールと合わせると良ろしいかと。 ワインレッドのブランクカラーも結構上品で綺麗です。 ハードケースの変な魚の骨みたいなロゴは載っていませんでした。ロゴに惹かれた人は注意。 ソフトケースが付いてないのがちょっと残念。 値段からすれば大満足です。

配送は遅れましたが、品物はなかなかの品質だと思います。 塗装も綺麗だし、ハードケースも付いててお得。 2番にしては少し固めかな。 サポートのメールも返事が早く好印象です。