Rob Redman, is a fly fishing guide from North Wales and member of the Hanak Team. His primary target species is Sea Trout, but he also spends a significant amount of time pursuing brown Trout and Grayling in the rivers of North and South Wales. In this blog, we've asked Rob to provide insights into his current Hanak Competition setup and advise on the best the brand has to offer.

Over recent years, I have been searching for the perfect dry fly and nymphing setup. While I possess a wealth of knowledge and experience in this field, I’ve been on the lookout for something that would truly change the game. After chatting with fellow anglers on the Hanak Team, I seized the opportunity to try a dry fly and nymphing rod, and the quality is unreal!

My nymphing setup features the Hanak Superb XP 3106, a 320 cm (#3, 10’6”) rod. I chose this rod for several reasons. The market is seeing a trend toward longer nymphing rods, which provide extra reach and better line control during the drift, allowing for greater contact—an essential aspect of effective nymphing. In Wales and the UK, we also need a rod with sufficient backbone, as there is always the possibility of encountering larger fish. While you might think that a 2# rod can handle trophy fish, we often face the challenge of heavy, flowing rivers and confined spaces to fight fish that require a bit more power to turn the fish.

The "XP" in the name stands for "extra power," making this rod the perfect tool for the job. It is ultra-light yet incredibly powerful! This rod has been rigorously tested and fine-tuned by some of the best fly fishermen in the game. The blank is constructed from the highest quality carbon and features top-notch Fuji SIC stripper guides and titanium single-leg recoil Titanfex guides. Having a rod suited to your environment and needs instils a great level of confidence, whether it’s in your presentation or your ability to handle specimen fish. 

When it comes to dry fly fishing, presentation and accuracy are paramount. Upon testing this rod, I immediately recognized its potential to meet my needs and enhance my versatility. The RS is a medium-fast action rod, which I prefer for its superior presentation and ability to cast further than a slow-action rod, making it invaluable for longer casts. While the size of the river may not always require long casts, having a versatile rod is essential. The medium-fast action also provides a soft tip that ensures tippet protection.

The RS 9'3" 3# is ideal for several reasons. It functions both as a shorter nymphing rod and a dry fly rod when fishing smaller streams, allowing me to adapt easily without the need to carry two separate rods. Its length makes it manageable for nymphing, even in overgrown areas, while the shorter design enables quicker strike responses. I would confidently take this rod to medium-sized trout rivers or smaller streams.

The RS Superb 393, like all of Hanak's offerings, is finely tuned by Frantisek Hanák and his team to achieve exceptional performance. This ultra-light design, enhanced by graphene, is 30% lighter than most other rods on the market, making it my preferred choice for dry fly fishing.

Paired with the stunning RS 35 reel, this setup is a match made in heaven. The reel boasts a mechanically fine-tuned drag system that operates smoothly, and its large arbor with a closed cage is perfect for both nymphing and dry fly techniques. Made from a high-quality combination of metals, the reel is not only a pleasure to use but also stylish.

I hope this insight into the products I use from Hanak and what benefits they provide for nymph and dry fly presentation. Be sure to explore the top-quality Hanak tackle and products available from Upavon at this link and contact them for any further advice and support.

Use discount code WELCOME10 for 10% off your first order at this link.

Tight lines!

Rob