Thinking about buying a Hardy Marksman Drifter 10' 6 weight. Anyone have any opinions on how good it really is, type of action, whether it will throw a long line if required?
Like the look of it but would really appreciate some opinions.
Cheers
Will

Haven't tried one myself but at 4.71oz seems a tad heavy.

Of course it may have that "light in the hand" feel

The Swift Mk II in the same spec comes in almost an ounce lighter and is a super rod.

......apart from the dreadful colour.

Greys streamflex not a similar style of river rod?

available with hefty discounts if you can still find them and it seems to be very popular with folks on here

I Have a 11ft 6wt Drifter, & i love it, i use a 7wt line through it which loads it better for short lining , give a little haul & you can create nice loops & good distance, although i'd say its more a fishing rod than a distance casting rod , but putting out 25ft + is easy, i found certain lines suit the rod(me) better my favourite being the Marksman Midge tip. hope this helps
Darren Booth

PS it doesnt feel heavy ,

Thanks guys. Food for thought. Agree with spruce on the swift mkII colour. Have been trying to find an original Swift for ages as thought it was an excellent rod for the money.
Haribo, many thanks, I will be scouting for one in the New Year Sales.
Tight lines!
Will

This is true, but you don't really notice it after a while. Seriously

i have the 9ft 5# and think its a great rod, big river/light stillwater rod

After a number of Really good anglers told me how good the drifter was I bought one and wasn't disappointed!
I got the 10ft 5# for loch dry fly fishing, and it's absolutely excellent. Plenty of backbone and well capable of fishing little wets and buzzers as well.

I had same spec Streamflex before, i think the Drifter is much better suited for the loch style applications.

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SpottyHors Fly Fishers

Had mine for a couple of seasons now and still experience a feeling of disappointment when I rig it up, shame really as it definitely detracts from the pleasure of owning the rod. I have the 11' #6 for loch style fishing. May be a bargain coming up if I post it in members classifieds and put the money towards the 11' Drifter.