{"product_id":"cts-affinity-m-9ft-5wt-fly-rod","title":"CTS Affinity M 9ft 5wt fly rod","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eSome build details to call out: The premium aluminum reel seat has two toned green and gold burled wood. The accent wood on the grip has a green stain to match the rod. The guides are all Snake Brand. It comes with a rod sock and a dark blue carbon fiber and aluminum rod tube.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThis custom fly rod is built on a CTS Affinity M blank from New Zealand. CTS makes some of the best blanks in the world that are as good or better than anything out there. Their paint is top notch and looks like custom auto quality. I recently reviewed premium 5wt fly rod blanks available to builders against the G.Loomis NRX LP. This bank won that shootout. Here is my review:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe “M” is for moderate and I would consider it moderate-fast. This is a great all-around trout blank that excels at everything. This is the closest blank to the action and performance of the G.Loomis NRX LP. I will use the term “sophisticated” as there is a level of complexity and refinement not present in other blank tapers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eDistance\/wind (9)- This is the advantage of this blank over other moderate action blanks. It is easy to cast long or force tight loops into the wind if needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e30ft Performance (10)- Just wonderful at placing the fly and line anywhere you want it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eFeel (10)- What I like best is that I can tell exactly what my line is doing and the load in the rod. The rod will just become part of my body, and I won’t have to think about casting technique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eSwing weight (10)- Super thin and light. It feels like a 4wt and is thinner than all other blanks tested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eBobber (8)- It will get it done well, but that will not be the primary use of this rod.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eBest fly lines- SA MPX, Amplitude, and Trout GP all performed well for their intended purpose. The pairing with the Trout GP for dry flies is sublime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cu\u003eAnd the winner is?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe CTS Affinity M wins over the revolutionary NFC Epitome 4M and even over the G.Loomis NRX LP. The NFC Epitome 4M is a great blank with the latest technology. It does everything well. In the end, I just liked the feel and sophistication of the CTS Affinity M better. And what about the NRX LP that I love? The CTS Affinity M is very similar but just edges out the NRX LP on distance and throwing tight loops into the wind. With the CTS you get the best of both worlds of light presentation and power. It is the best 5wt I have ever cast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Reimagined Tackle Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48217799033073,"sku":null,"price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0715\/0685\/4129\/files\/20260510_162334_84366d7e-c7b1-4c14-8f66-3e179edce01e.jpg?v=1781386670","url":"https:\/\/reimaginedtackle.com\/products\/cts-affinity-m-9ft-5wt-fly-rod","provider":"Reimagined Tackle Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}