Greys Kite Single Handed Fly Rod

How well is it built?

So, how well is it put together? The heart of the Kite is that Toreon blank, split into four sections with alignment dots and model identification on each one. Putting it together on a windy bank is quick, and you won't end up fishing with the guides out of line.

The fittings are a step above what you'd expect at this level. There are lined stripper guides nearest the handle and single-foot stainless snake guides further up, which are light and help keep the tip quick.

The alloy reel seat has wood or alloy spacers depending on the model, dual locking nuts, a nylon cushion ring and a keyed slide band, so the reel shouldn't creep loose during a long day of casting.

AAA-grade cork, a rod bag and a hard tube complete the package. I think 8.5 is about right, because it's well finished throughout without the premium touches of a top-end rod.

How well does it cast and feel?

A medium-fast action is a sensible choice for stillwater work. It's quick enough to build line speed for distance, but it should still bend far enough into the blank to load with a short line when fish are close in.

The Toreon carbon is built for a high-recovery feel, so the tip should settle quickly after the cast rather than wobbling and throwing waves down the line.

Trout & Salmon's testers found the 10ft #7 casts a long line with sinking lines, though it has less finesse than softer rods. That fits the spec pretty well. Is it the rod for tiny dries on a flat calm?

Not really, and the lighter #3 to #5 models in the range are better suited to that sort of fishing.

For pulling lures, fishing the washing line or getting a team of nymphs down on a sunk line, though, I think it's very capable, and the 8.5 reflects that.

How does it perform when playing fish?

Hard-fighting rainbows are where a medium-fast blank shows its worth. It has more give through the middle than a stiff reservoir rod, so it should absorb the sudden runs of a fresh stockie and help protect your tippet when a fish thrashes close to the net.

There's still enough power in the longer #7 and #8 models to keep a big fish out of the weed and turn it on a short line, which matters on reservoirs where you can hook a much bigger fish than you expect. Lean on it and the butt section should do the heavy lifting.

The lighter rods in the range scale all this down for small streams and rivers, where a soft tip and a #3 or #4 line let even a modest trout give a good account of itself. For me, it's a balanced rod to play fish on rather than a broomstick, and that's why it earns an 8.5.

Is it good value for money?

The Kite sits in the middle of the market, and for that you get a Toreon blank, AAA-grade cork, a well-specified reel seat and both a bag and a hard tube. That's a lot of rod, and the four-piece design means it slips into a car boot or a holdall without fuss.

Is there a catch? The wide range means you need to choose the right model for your water, because a 6ft #3 and a 9ft #8 are very different tools. Pick a longer #7 or #8 for reservoirs and big lakes, and keep the short rods for brooks and small rivers.

Overall, I'd recommend the Kite to stillwater anglers who fish sinking lines, lures and nymphs at distance from the bank or a boat. If you mostly cast small dry flies to rising fish on calm days, a softer, more delicate rod will suit you better.