Overview

The Douglas DXF Gen 2 is a ground-up redesign of the DXF, the mid-priced series in the Douglas lineup. Douglas builds it on a multi-modulus graphite blank with a moderate fast action that feels light and sensitive in the hand, and reviewers single out its accuracy at close and middle range.

Freshwater models come in an emerald green flake finish with a reverse half Wells grip; saltwater models get a brilliant blue flake blank and a full Wells grip with a fighting butt. Every model has AAA cork with rubber tips and a self-aligning reel seat with dual locking rings, and ships in a Cordura tube with a cloth sock. Douglas makes the DXF Gen 2 from 2 to 12 wt, including nymphing, trout spey and switch rods; this listing offers seven of them, from an 8'8" 4 wt to a 9' 8 wt plus an 11'2" 3 wt trout spey.

Which DXF Gen 2 Should You Choose?

Lighter trout fishing with a rod a little shorter than 9': DXF GEN2 4884 (8'8" 4 wt, Handle A).

One rod for most trout fishing, from dries to hopper-dropper rigs and light streamers: DXF GEN2 5904 (9' 5 wt, Handle A).

Bigger trout and bass on rivers and lakes, large dries, nymphs and streamers: DXF GEN2 6904 (9' 6 wt, Handle A, freshwater).

A 6 wt that also goes to the salt, bass to redfish and small saltwater species: DXF GEN2 S6904 (9' 6 wt with the fighting butt, Handle B, saltwater blank).

Bass, salmon, steelhead and light saltwater, heavy flies and wind: DXF GEN2 7904 (9' 7 wt, Handle B).

Big trout, bass, steelhead, salmon and inshore redfish on articulated streamers: DXF GEN2 8904 (9' 8 wt, Handle B).

Light two-handed spey casting for trout: DXF GEN2 31124 (11'2" 3 wt trout spey, Handle D).

Douglas DXF Gen 2 Specs

Douglas DXF Gen 2 Models

DXF GEN2 31124 - 11'2" 3 wt

A light two-handed trout spey rod, not a nymphing rod. Douglas aims it at roll casts, single spey and snake roll casts for trout and panfish on small to medium streams, and its own trout spey review calls the 3 wt the most versatile of the three trout spey weights. The Handle D grip is a two-handed spey handle with an 11 in front grip and a 4 in rear grip, and the rod has a hook keeper. It weighs about 4.8 oz.

Best for: roll, single spey and snake roll casts for trout and panfish on small to medium streams.

Line pairing: A trout spey rod takes a shooting head rather than a standard fly line. Douglas puts the grain window at about 210 gr for a Scandi head or about 240 to 270 gr for a Skagit head, and says the rod turns over 10 ft of T-8. Call us and we will set it up.

DXF GEN2 4884 - 8'8" 4 wt

The lightest single-hand rod on this listing, and at 8'8" a little shorter than the 9' models. It is a green freshwater trout model with the Handle A grip, a reverse half Wells cork shape with no fighting butt, and weighs about 2.75 oz.

Best for: trout fishing where a 4 wt is enough, a lighter freshwater rod.

Line pairing: A 4 wt weight-forward floating trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF4F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF4F).

DXF GEN2 5904 - 9' 5 wt

The all-round trout DXF Gen 2. Douglas pitches it for dry flies, hopper-dropper rigs, nymphs and light streamers on small to medium streams, and rates it as a true 5 wt. Reviewers praise its close-range dry-fly presentation and accuracy out to middle distance, and note it feels soft in heavy wind and is not built for maximum distance. It has the Handle A grip and weighs about 3 oz.

Best for: one rod for most trout water, dry flies, hopper-dropper, nymphing.

Line pairing: A 5 wt weight-forward floating line; Douglas suggests a slightly heavier line for longer casts or wind. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF5F).

DXF GEN2 6904 - 9' 6 wt

The freshwater 6 wt, for trout and bass on streams, rivers and lakes with large dries, streamers or nymphs. It keeps the green blank and Handle A grip of the trout models. Douglas makes it as a freshwater rod and points anglers headed to the salt to the S6904.

Best for: bigger trout, bass, streamers and nymph rigs on rivers and lakes.

Line pairing: A 6 wt weight-forward floating line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF6F).

DXF GEN2 S6904 - 9' 6 wt

The saltwater version of the 6904. The S stands for saltwater: Douglas gives it the brilliant blue blank, the Handle B full Wells grip with a fighting butt, bigger stripping guides and corrosion-resistant hardware. Douglas lists trout, bass, panfish, albacore and redfish among its targets, so it works as a freshwater 6 wt that can also handle small saltwater species. It weighs about 3.5 oz.

Best for: bass, redfish and small saltwater species, a 6 wt for fresh and salt.

Line pairing: A 6 wt weight-forward floating line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF6F).

DXF GEN2 7904 - 9' 7 wt

Douglas built the 7 wt for bass, salmon, steelhead and light saltwater fishing, with the backbone to push heavy flies into the wind. It has the blue blank, extra stripping guides and the Handle B grip with a fighting butt, and weighs about 3.8 oz.

Best for: bass, salmon and steelhead, light saltwater, windy days.

Line pairing: A 7 wt weight-forward floating line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF7F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Bass Bug (WF7F).

DXF GEN2 8904 - 9' 8 wt

The heaviest DXF Gen 2 we carry. Douglas aims it at large trout, bass, steelhead, salmon and inshore redfish, casting articulated streamers, deceivers and weighted nymph rigs out to about 50 to 60 ft. It has the blue blank and the Handle B full Wells grip with a fighting butt.

Best for: big streamers, steelhead and salmon, bass, inshore redfish.

Line pairing: An 8 wt weight-forward floating line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF8F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF8F).

DXF Gen 2 vs Other Douglas Fly Rods

The DXF Gen 2 sits in the middle of the Douglas lineup. Douglas names the Douglas ERA and the LRS as its budget alternatives and points to the Douglas SKY G as the step up; reviewers find the SKY G more accurate and stronger in stiff wind and at long range, as you would expect from the flagship. Compared with the original DXF, Gen 2 is a complete redesign with a new self-aligning reel seat and new components, and its parts are not interchangeable with the first-generation rods.

Douglas DXF Gen 2 FAQ

What do Handle A, B and D mean?

Douglas labels its grips by letter. Handle A is the freshwater reverse half Wells grip with no fighting butt on the green blank (4884, 5904, 6904). Handle B is a full Wells grip with a fighting butt on the blue saltwater blank (S6904, 7904, 8904). Handle D is the two-handed spey handle on the trout spey rods.

What is the difference between the 6904 and the S6904?

The S6904 is the saltwater version: blue blank, full Wells grip with a fighting butt, bigger stripping guides and corrosion-resistant hardware. The 6904 is the freshwater rod with the green blank and reverse half Wells grip.

Is the 11'2" 3 wt a Euro nymphing rod?

No. The DXF GEN2 31124 is a two-handed trout spey rod. Douglas makes separate 10' nymphing rods in the DXF Gen 2 series.

Does it come with a case?

Yes, a Cordura rod tube with a coordinating cloth sock.

What is the warranty?

Douglas covers its fly rods with a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner, with proof of purchase. Register the rod with Douglas so manufacturing defect claims are handled at no charge.

Which weight should I choose?

The 9' 5 wt for most trout fishing, the 8'8" 4 wt for smaller water, the 9' 6 wt for bigger trout and bass (S6904 if you also fish salt), and the 9' 7 wt or 8 wt for bass, steelhead, salmon and big streamers. Pick the 11'2" 3 wt if you want a light two-handed trout spey rod.