The DXF fly rod series is an award-winning mid-priced offering from American manufacturer Douglas Outdoors. While relatively new to the UK, Douglas has been operating in the US as a family-run company since 2014. Its rod range includes traditional fresh and salt water models, but we looked at a more recent addition that meets the growing interest in euro-nymphing. The DXF includes 10ft models in 2wt, 3wt, 4wt and 5wt and 11ft in 3wt and 4wt. We looked at the most popular size in the UK: 10ft 3wt.

Like the other rods in the DXF range, it uses Douglas’s patented Xmatrix multi-modulus carbon blank, which makes it strong and light, weighing just 3oz. The action across the range is medium fast, but each model has been fine-tuned to meet its specific role.

Quality components and finish are something Douglas has become known for. Its matt bottle green blank has matching high-gloss whippings and a reverse-half-wells AAA cork handle, which nicely fits the hand.

The anodised down-locking reel seat and mini fighting butt help the rod-reel balance, while the burl wood insert adds to the overall aesthetics.

Douglas DXF stripping guide
Single SIC hard-chrome stripping ring.
Douglas DXF Snake Guide
Single-leg intermediates give way to two double-leg snake rings and then a hayfork tip ring.

The same amount of thought has gone into the ringing. The single SIC hard chrome stripping ring is set close to the reel to reduce line sag. Hard chrome single-leg intermediates are used through the middle of the rod, switching to two hard chrome snake rings just before the tip ring to give extra line control and reduce frap-ups at the tip.

In action

The rod's progressive action is ideal for flipping heavy bugs and lighter Klink-and-dink set-ups. More importantly for a nymphing rod, the tip is sensitive enough to detect the most delicate takes yet has a fast recovery that gives accuracy and control during the delivery and drift. The sensitive tip and through action also combine to protect the light tippets required to achieve a dead-drift presentation, but the rod still has enough backbone to control fish in fast water.

The rod's lightness and balance, with the reel positioned well back, make it a comfortable rod to use, even if you are high-sticking for long periods. We found it fished best with a euro-nymph line or standard French leader system.

In terms of a classic euro-nymphing rod, Douglas has thought of it all.


Douglas DXF 10ft, 3wt rod, £469.99. Sold with the Douglas Lifetime Warranty.

Contact Wading Waters; 07479 049685; wadingwaters.co.uk