Ross Worldwide Essence Fly Rod for 2008

We all know Ross as one of the top reel manufacturers in the USA  with award winning models like the Cimarron and Evolution.  As a Ross Pro Staff member, I've been using their reels for years and can attest to Ross' excellent functionality, durability, and when something does go awry, Ross' super fast and wonderfully competent customer service.  As of late, Ross USA's spin off, Ross Worldwide has put its collective thoughts and efforts towards creating a new fly rod series.  Enlisting one of the greatest fly anglers of all time, Mel Kreiger, to its development of this line, Ross has done just what it set out to do: offer anglers value priced rods that fish much like a rod that costs hundreds more.  Named after Kreiger's well known "Essence of Fly Fishing" the Essence series fly rods will have you thinking it's essential you get one.

Ross's work with Mel on the development of these rods has created three unique rod series.  The Essence FS, Essence FC and Essence FW.  The initials stand for the same as the reels that have been hugely popular the past several seasons -Flystart, Flycast, and Flywater.  All three series are manufactured with a "Ross Exclusive" proprietary graphite design meaning the factory makes them for Ross and Ross only.  The results are rods that are smooth casting, sensitive and precise and are to Ross' exacting standards.  When casting in close, or reaching out to far away targets, these rods carry line effortlessly.  The Essence series fly rods have been assigned graphite designations of R-1, R-2 and R-3 to highlight design differences. While the fundamentals of each series remains true to the design, a higher numbered R-Value indicates a slightly more progressive (faster) action.  FS or Fly Start is the launching point for the series at $99 and the R-1 graphite followed by the Fly Cast (FC) at $149 , and lastly the Flywater (FW) at $199.   All three rods are powerful  yet light enough to minimize fatigue with long summer days on the water.

The Essence series fly rods are setting a new standard for what an angler should expect from an affordable priced fly rod.  Whether you are just getting started or are a seasoned angler, for your money, there is not a better value on the market today.  Make it a point to get on the water with one for yourself this season.