It’s been my experience with fly rods that unless you’re willing to break the bank there’s a fairly simple rule: accurate, light, and cheap, pick any two of the three. The 9’ 4wt not only breaks the rule but destroys it. I’m fortunate to have a number of top-end rods, so I’m comparing the Purist to rods that are 50% - 100% more expensive. My rod collection covers mainly 5 – 8wt rods, and a couple of inexpensive 4wts. I’m now fishing in western NC, on small to medium freestone streams. On many of these streams, a 5wt is just too much rod, so it was time to get a better 4wt. However, paying upwards of $1,000 for another rod held little interest for me. I had owned the prior generation SS rod, and after that experience, I wasn’t even considering another Lamson rod. I happened by a local fly shop and saw the Velocity rods, and my first thought was WOW these are really nice looking with excellent fit and finish. But on a small freestone stream, an ultra-fast rod is the wrong tool for the job. I happen to see the Tim Volk video on the Purist and that video touched on every point I wanted in a 4wt.
After having fished this rod, it’s as light and accurate as my Douglas SKY-G, but at half the price. The tip enables the rod to load easily and make wonderful delicate casts. I’m routinely making 30’+ foot casts, under an overhanging bush, next to the bank, to a spot the size of a coffee cup. The more I cast this rod, the more I want to cast it.
As for the elephant in the room, 2-piece construction. I couldn’t imagine trying to take this on a fly-in trip, it’s simply too long. However, as a home-water rod, it’s a non-issue. Oh, and the reel seat is such a straightforward and common-sense design, I’m surprised someone didn’t think of it decades ago.
In much the same way Orvis designed the H3 F&D series rods, Lamson has done the same with the Purist and Velocity rods, just at half the cost.