The Redington Original Freshwater Kit is an entry-level fly fishing setup for beginner and experienced anglers. I picked up the 9-foot, 5-weight fly rod combo after it was released in mid-2023. I caught countless fish with the kit and have no complaints about its performance or durability.
Redington calls the Original the “most versatile trout rod you’ll ever own.” I found that the Original Freshwater Kit lives up to Redington’s claim of versatility. It’s an adequate piece of fly fishing gear. But there may be more cost-effective options out there today.
Specs
- Rod: Redington Original, 9-foot, 5-weight
- Rod Pieces: 4
- Rod Action: Standard medium-fast
- Rod Case Dimensions: 30.75” long x 2.5” wide x 6.25” tall
- Reel: Crosswater 4/5/6
- Fly Line: RIO Mainstream WF5F (weight forward 5WT floating)
Packability
I wouldn’t describe the Redington Original Freshwater Kit as packable. A 4-piece, 9-foot rod breaks down to 27 inches, which is much too long to fit inside the huge front triangle of my Surly Grappler.
Taking the Original rod bikefishing necessitates creativity in the packing department. But it’s certainly possible to bring the rod along for adventures (as I do).
I strap the rod case to the side of my bike’s top tube. It’s not a perfect setup since my thighs sometimes rub the case, but it’s suitable for short distances. If packability is a main priority for you, whether for bikefishing or backpacking, a 4-piece, 9-foot rod probably isn’t your best option.
Fishability
Redington says the Original rod “presents dry flies on the money but with enough oomph to handle it all—dry-droppers, buggers, and nymphs.” My use case for the rod is exactly as Redington suggests – versatility, albeit with an emphasis on dry-droppers.
I found the rod to be fairly stiff and on the heavy side, so slinging dries all day can take a toll on my casting arm. I much prefer my smaller, 3WT fiberglass rod for dry fly fishing.
But I fish the Redington Original in specific dry fly fishing situations, like from a drift boat on wide rivers. Casting heavy dries to far shores is no issue with the 9’-foot, 5-weight rod.
The Original rod handles big streamers with ease, as well. I’m not much of a streamer fisher, but that’s not the rod’s fault. Streamers aren’t my thing. Dry-droppers are much closer to my thing, and the rod excels here.
I like to tie size 12-16 nymphs under hoppers for my dry-dropper setups. I also like to use a long piece of tippet, anywhere from 4 to 8 feet, under my hoppers to get my nymphs down deep. Casting with that much line isn’t an issue for the rod, although I do have to waterload in some cases.
I don’t think this rod lends itself to small fish, though. The rod is way too strong for fish under 6 inches, and it’s not fun ripping tiny fish out of the water.
The reel and fly line for the Original kit are nothing to write home about, but they work. There really isn’t much to say about them. They’re something you may want to upgrade, though, if you want to get the most out of the setup. But there’s no reason to change them out right away.
Durability
Fly fishers who are tough on gear may hesitate about the plastic reel. I don’t think there is much to worry about, though. I’m not easy on my gear, and I regularly place or drop my reel on volcanic rocks without consequence. The drag hasn’t had any issues in three years, either.
The rod’s heft tires out my arm after a long day of casting, but it creates a durable rod. I’ve smacked the rod tip on rocks and trees multiple times without anything breaking. The worst I’ve done so far is scratch the paint on the rod pieces. Not bad at all.
Final Thoughts
I like the Redington Original Freshwater Kit as a beginner-friendly fly fishing setup that also works well for anyone who wants versatility and dependability without paying for high-end gear. You don’t have to worry about it breaking on you, and it will do pretty much anything you want.
The only real disappointment I have with the kit is that the MSRP changed from $200 to $270 in three years. I understand the world’s economy has changed a lot since then, but a 35% price increase is extreme.
I bought my kit for $130, and I think it’s still worth it if you can find it for under $200. But I would hesitate to pay full MSRP at this point. At almost $300, you’re better off paying a little more for a rod with a better reel and fly line or waiting to find high-quality used gear in that price range.
