Overview

The new G. Loomis Asquith is the flagship of the G. Loomis fly rod line, redesigned from the ground up and announced on January 9, 2026. Anglers and shops call it the Asquith 2 to tell it apart from the original Asquith of 2016. Designed by world casting champion Steve Rajeff, it combines fast actions and generous power with an exceptionally light swing weight, so it builds line speed with little effort and puts the fly where you aim it.

The blank is Spiral X Core, an evolution of Shimano's Spiral X carbon tape construction made with Toray Nanoalloy technology for rigidity in bending, torsion and compression. The Spiral X Core blank is rolled in Kumamoto, Japan, and the rod is designed and handcrafted in Woodland, Washington. Every freshwater Asquith is 9' and 4-piece; we carry the ASQ 590-4 and ASQ 690-4.

Which Asquith Should You Choose?

Trout on medium rivers: dries, dry-droppers and light nymphing: ASQ 590-4 (9' 5 wt).

Multi-species freshwater: streamers, poppers, terrestrials and carp: ASQ 690-4 (9' 6 wt).

G. Loomis Asquith Specs

G. Loomis Asquith Models

ASQ 590-4 - 9' 5 wt

A light, smooth trout rod with more feel than its flagship power suggests. Testers liked it for dry flies, dry-droppers, light nymph rigs and small streamers on medium rivers, and found it loads easily at close and middle range. It has a half wells cork grip.

Best for: dry flies and dry-droppers, light nymphing, medium rivers.

Line pairing: A 5 wt trout taper; an easy-loading line suits its close and mid-range strengths. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout GP (WF5F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF5F).

ASQ 690-4 - 9' 6 wt

A multi-species freshwater rod for float trips on freestone rivers, terrestrials, poppers, streamers on floating or sinking lines, indicator nymphing and carp, and it can still lay down a dry fly delicately. Reviewers called it exceptionally light in the hand, with a swing weight closer to a 4 or 5 wt and the power of a 7 wt once a fish is on. It has a fighting butt for leverage when a big fish runs.

Best for: streamers, poppers and terrestrials, indicator nymphing, carp.

Line pairing: A 6 wt all-round taper, or an intermediate or sinking line for stillwater stripping. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth MPX (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F).

Asquith vs Other G. Loomis Fly Rods

Against the original 2016 Asquith, the new rod moves from Spiral X to the Spiral X Core blank with a lower swing weight, adds a custom fixed-hood reel seat with a curved shape and improved knurling, and uses black titanium SiC stripping guides with titanium recoil snake guides.

The G. Loomis NRX+ is the premium series below the Asquith, built in Woodland on Mega Modulus+ graphite with GL8 resin. The NRX+ LP is the dedicated light presentation dry-fly rod, while the Asquith is fast. The G. Loomis IMX-PRO V2 is the value line.

G. Loomis Asquith FAQ

Is this the Asquith 2?

Yes. G. Loomis calls it simply the Asquith, a ground-up redesign announced January 9, 2026. Shops and anglers call it the Asquith 2 to separate it from the original Asquith.

Where is it made?

The Spiral X Core blank is rolled in Kumamoto, Japan, and the rod is designed and handcrafted in Woodland, Washington.

Does it come with a case?

Yes, an aluminum rod tube with a cloth rod bag.

What is the warranty?

G. Loomis covers the Asquith with a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner against defects in materials and workmanship. Registering the rod with G. Loomis within 30 days of purchase also unlocks its Xpeditor replacement program.

How does it compare with the NRX+?

The Asquith is the flagship above the NRX+, with a Spiral X Core blank and a lighter swing weight. The NRX+ offers more lengths and weights.

Should I choose the 5 wt or the 6 wt?

Choose the 590-4 if trout and dry flies come first. Choose the 690-4 for bigger flies, streamers, sinking lines and mixed species.