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Hardy Aln
Score 4.03
5', 2-Piece,
MSRP $299.99,
AA 60,
ERN .89
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Hardy Aln (5' 2pc) |
Paul |
Jeremy |
Jim |
Joe |
Composite Score |
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| 1.) Rod Tube, Sock and Presentation |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4.75 |
| 2.) Grip and Reel Seat |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| 3.) Hook Keeper, Label and Rod Markings |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| 4.) Guides, Ferrules and Tip-Top |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| 5.) Short Distance Casting |
3 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4.25 |
| 6.) Medium and Long Distance Casting |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2.5 |
| 7.) Roll Casting |
2 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2.75 |
| 8.) Accuracy and Delicacy of Fly Delivery |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3.75 |
| 9.) Fish Handling |
2 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
3.5 |
| 10.) Reviewer's
Prerogative |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3.75 |
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| Composite Score |
3.50 |
4.20 |
4.30 |
4.10 |
4.03 |
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Jim Stuard's Comments:
One of the
smallest rods in the shootout, the ‘Aln’ pushes a lot of weight, in the
form of hyperbole about the new fiberglass coming out of the Hardy
development bunker. While not my favorite rod, it’s rates right up there
with some of the more versatile carbon sticks, but in a completely
different manner. This rod is all show with quite a bit of go. When Hardy
set out to build a 2wt glass rod, that’s exactly what they did. I didn’t
even bother up-lining this rod. It simply casts a 2wt line, in close, with
great accuracy. I got a momentary scare as I hooked a 14” largemouth and
it promptly turned this glass gem into a ‘C’. No harm, no foul. Love the
minimal details and tiny grip.
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Joe Cornwall's Comments:
I reviewed the Aln's bigger brother, The Trout
Fisher
here. The Aln offers all the same features and amenities, but in
a smaller package. Small isn't even the right word for it; it's positively
petite. I've only had experience with one other glass 2wt rod of
these proportions before and that was the Diamondglass 502. I wasn't
crazy about the DG in this size; it simply didn't have the ability to cast
the flies or control the fish I normally tangle with. I am primarily
a warm water guy, but I spend a few days every summer casting terrestrials
and tricos to fussy trout and I ended up with the 6' 6" Diamondglass,
instead. Now along comes some new glass from Hardy and I have to
rethink my boundaries. First, this rod is supremely well built.
Second, it's a real, functional fishing rod!
This little guy is a true 2wt in my hands and loved the DT2 line.
Roll casting was pretty iffy - the practical limit with a size 16 wet fly
was about 20-feet including the furled leader and 4' tippet.
Overhead casting followed similar proportions and any thoughts of hanging
a fly out 50-feet is a pipe dream. But then, that's not what this rod is
all about. How about firing a super accurate cast with a slight left
curve 25' using a side-arm position to keep it all under the trees?
No problem! 20-foot puddle cast that let's a size 18 parachute Adams
drift to the water's surface like a Disney movie fairy landing on a
droplet? Just another cast. The only caveat I can offer, other
than be careful about your sense of scale, is that this rod probably isn't
the right tool to present a fly to a clooping carp. There just isn't
enough oomph in there to actually control a fish of more than 14" or so.
But if I could get a 12" bluegill to inhale a size 14 Japanese Beetle
imitation using this rod... well now that would be a memorable day!
I can recommend this as a serious rod, but one so highly specialized you
may only fish it a few times a year.
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Jeremy Kurtz's Comments:
This is one of the other glass rods in the
shoot-out. It is very nicely built and appointed. The rod tube and bags
are first class. This rod, being a 5-footer, is very specialized. It
is for the smallest of streams, and small fish. The rod can cast just a
furled leader, and it is pleasant to cast and fish within confined areas
like the little brook trout runs in the Pennsylvania mountains. The rod
rolls casts well, but it's not a cannon; you're pushing it to try and get
anymore than 30 feet out it. I think one would be inclined to try
lighter lines on this one, you might be surprised.
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Paul Feldman's Comments:
This Hardy has the classy packaging and the
same beautiful grip, reel seat, and craftsmanship as the Hardy Flyweight
also reviewed, so the same comments apply.
This is a 5 foot fiberglass rod, which feels like a wet noodle, so I
wasn’t expecting much. I was surprised to find that it threw a reasonably
good close line, and could actually be pushed to throw a longer line. It
took some getting used to but it was kind of fun to cast. As far as roll
casting, I doubt that Lefty Kreh could roll cast with a soft, 5 foot
fiberglass rod! I certainly couldn’t. I think it would be fun to fish a
small, brushy creek for brook trout with this rod. Don’t try it, however,
if steelhead are spawning in that creek!
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Manufacturer's Comments:
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