Let customers speak for us
For the money, this is a nice reel with the right "guts". Own several Lamson reels, along with Galvan, Ross, Abel and Nautilus--Lamson drags are hard to beat. Great starter or back-up reel.
I already own the two-piece Purist in both the 3wt and 5wt, and they remain some of the best technical trout rods I’ve cast in decades.
To be blunt, most modern trout rods leave me cold. They’re often technically impressive but feel sterile. The last rods I remember having real soul were many of the Scotts and Winstons from the 1990s. The Purist series brought some of that feeling back.
The 4wt 8’6” four-piece feels identical to my two-piece models, which is exactly what I hoped for and frankly didn’t expect. No noticeable compromise in feel, timing, or accuracy. It still has that rare ability to protect light tippet, place a fly delicately, and communicate what the line is doing without becoming overly soft.
It’s a technical rod in the best sense of the word. Accurate at realistic trout distances, capable of subtle presentations, and enjoyable enough that casting it feels like part of the experience rather than just transportation.
The difference is simple: this one fits in a carry-on.
That matters because someday I intend to stand on the Dunajec River with it in hand chasing trout in water I’ve wanted to fish for years. Until then, it handles domestic duties beautifully.
A rare modern rod that remembers fly fishing is supposed to feel like something.
I was very impressed with my Liquid S reel and looked to Lamson for a model to pair with a new ultralight trout rod. The Guru S is refined but sturdy in an even smaller design with a fully sealed drag. The -3+ has everything it needs and no unnecessary frills in a compact, affordable but good-looking package that’s the perfect match for my new favorite rod.
I really like the real and was pleasantly surprised that they still have extra spools available. Bought a LP2 about 45 years ago and it still is perfect today. Good products and great company, they stand by their merchandise if there’s any problem.
This has to be the funniest rod description I have ever read! Can't wait to try out my new rod!
Well built, very snug, if using it while in a rod might want to go one size up but it will work either way. I have one of these for every Lamson reel I own. Great for transporting a rod between streams.
I bought this rod as a 7wt for a Belize trip and it was perfect for bonefish that needed a lighter presentation. It casts really well into the wind and has plenty of backbone for hard fighting fish. Also worth noting that Lamson customer service was awesome and quickly helped resolve an issue.
Reel is exactly what I wanted. Simple, elegant and clean. The whiskey color matches the rod it’s paired with perfectly. My only gripe, and this is a small gripe, with a DT4F line, 40 yds of backing is not an option. I did not measure, but I’d guess I’m at no more than 20 yds of backing or the line will not all fit onto the spool. For my dry fly rod this doesn’t concern me as I don’t expect to catch a fish that spools me on an eastern or midwestern river.
Picked this up for skinny, off-color water on the Golden Isles flats where wind is usually part of the deal. Tested it in conditions that were about as wrong as possible, including gusts pushing 35 mph. I was casting a 5 wt line that actually weighs in closer to a true 6 wt, which is typical. The rod performs right at true line weight.
Even in that mess, it held tight, controlled loops and stayed usable. In normal 10–20 mph wind I could reliably shoot 50–60 feet and keep it on track. It’s a legit cannon, not just marketing language. When summer settles in and the wind backs off, distance is going to come easy.
It’s fast, but not lifeless. It loads cleanly, has enough feel in the tip to stay connected, and plenty of power down low to pick up and reposition line quickly when the shot changes.
I’ve owned more rods than I care to justify. This one actually earns its place.
I bought the 9 wt outfit when my back up rod (a different brand) snapped the week before a trip to the Bahamas for bonefish. I planned to use it as a back up to my 8wt Cobalt rod/Remix reel. The weather was less than ideal with 15-25 mph winds for the whole week and rain. The stiffer action of the Liquid Max rod and the 9 wt of the line helped my casting enormously. The reel held up like a champ too, smoothly managing bonefish of up to 5lbs with 10lb tippet. Back in Florida, I am looking forward to tackling smaller tarpon and snook with the outfit.
The Lamson Speedster S is a great reel, though it carries noticeably less material than the older 1990s-era Lamsons I still fish and trust. Those older reels feel nearly indestructible in comparison, especially in saltwater.
That said, the Speedster S delivers where it counts. The machining, fit, and finish are impeccable, and the drag is smooth and more than adequate for the kind of fishing I do. It retains the core Lamson reliability, just in a more modern, weight-conscious package.
Time will tell how it holds up to decades of salt exposure, but if it follows the lineage, it should have a long life ahead. I fully expect to be fishing these for the next 30 years, just like the classics.
This is a great budget fast action rod. I took it to wyoming and it had plenty of power for throwing indy rigs in 50mph gusts and fighting big fish. First day with it I caught 50 fish, biggest was around 20". It's a great entry level rod, I would describe it as being about as sensitive as any other rod in this price range but definitely a faster action for more power casts, mends, and fish.
Designed To Flow
Free-flowing design comes down to physics. At Lamson, we make fly gear that’s fluid and dynamic. Making you a real force of nature.
