Fly Rod Review: Anderson Shoot-Out Grades 14 Five-Weights

It’s been a while since George Anderson and his crew took on the rather subjective task of ranking 5-weight fly rods. In the meantime, they’ve become virtual “rankings programmers” and now are defining the variables that go into their choices, including “swing weight,” “craftsmanship,” “warranty,” and performance at various distances. While many can argue with the results (my favorite few rods land all over the scale), it’s an interesting evaluation.
At the very least, seeing all the fly rod characteristics put side-by-side may be helpful to anyone considering purchasing a current-model five-weight. Check out the results at Yellowstone Angler.