Expert Review: Douglas SKY G Fly Rod
All photos by Jeff C.
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the rod, which I purchased with my own money in April of 2022.
My take
The Douglas SKY G Fly Rod is a rod I would recommend to the experienced fly caster. I really like the feel and high quality of its build. Some rods just feel good in your hand and for me this rod feels silky smooth. It has great casting ability and outperformed my estimations of it in every aspect.
About this rod
- Model: 2022 Douglas Sky G Fly Rod
- Rod Length: 9 ft.
- Rod Weight: 2.8 oz.
- Rod Pieces: 4
- Rod Material: G-Tec Platelets (resin composite)
About me
- Preferred fishing style: Streamers, drys, and nymphs, but also poppers for panfish and bass
- Experience: 40+ years of fishing
Test conditions
- When I bought this: April 2022
- Reel Paired with Rod: Waterworks-Lamson Liquid Fly Reel
- Line Paired Rod: Scientific Angler Mastery MPX Fly Line WF-6-F
- Days tested: 10+ days
- Waters I’ve used it on: Tailwaters and farm ponds
- Species targeted with rod: Trout, bass and panfish
How it performs
What I was looking for
I was looking for a rod to be able to use for fishing bass and also for use out West. I wanted something capable of tossing streamers in the higher wind conditions typical of Western trout fishing.
Why I chose this gear
During my research I came across an article by Trout Unlimited that gave an overview of Douglas Outdoors. It described the history of the company and their mission. I was impressed by their story enough to pull the trigger and give the Sky G a shot. I also considered the Orvis Helios 3D in a 6wt, but finally decided on the Sky G after learning that this rod won the presentation category at Yellowstone Angler Shootout in 2020.
What I love about it
- Quality: The quality of the build is stellar, and the components used are top-notch. The titanium guides with zirconium inserts are well-built and durable. They allow the line to pass through the guides with ease. The AAAA Flor-grade cork handle is also beautiful.
- Versatility: In addition to tossing streamers, I was pleasantly surprised at the versatility to cast dry flies with ease.
- Use Case: So far I’ve had the opportunity to use this rod in fishing the tailwaters of Lake Lanier (Chattahoochee River), and also on Lake Allatoona and the Etowah River. I’ve cast both streamers and nymphs.
- Action:
- Ease of casting: At only 2.8 ounces, this rod had been a true joy to cast.
- Recover rate: The fast action of this rod makes recovery of line a breeze.
- Power: The power of this rod is better than any of my other 6 wt rods. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it for steelhead in the Great Lakes tributaries.
- Line speed: The fast action of this rod allows for fast line speed and tight loops.
- Ideal casting distance: The rod is great at distances of around 75 to 80 feet.
- Accuracy: Accuracy remains great out to a distance of 80 feet.
- Delicacy of presentation: The rod was able to present dry flies at 60 feet with gentle presentation.
- Weight: This is the lightest 6 wt rod that I own. Just for fun I spooled up some true-to-weight 6wt double taper fly line and was pleased with the casting ability. It performs in every aspect expected, from the ability to cast dry flies with surprising delicacy and of course tosses nymphs and streamers with great accuracy like a 6 wt should.
- Literal Weight: I love that the rod only weighs 2.8 ounces. When matched with the Waterworks-Lamson Liquid reel, I feel comfortable casting all day.
- Grip: The AAAA Flor-grade cork reverse half well grip felt great in my hands. When my grip feels good it makes the whole casting experience better.
- Build: The titanium guides with zirconium inserts are solid and allow the line to pass through the guides with ease. There is also a moisture-wicking rod sock that is very durable and prevents moisture buildup in the aluminum rod tube.
- Aesthetics: I love the look of this rod. It has an exquisite matte finish is all business.
- Warranty: I love the fact that all Douglas rods come with a lifetime warranty.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Build: After heavy use I have discovered a small chip in the finish at the lowest guide. It hasn’t affected the performance of the rod but for full disclosure it’s worth mentioning.
Favorite moment with this gear
Every outing with this rod could rival the last for the title of “favorite”. It has performed above my expectations in every facet of fishing with it. I can’t wait to use it on those big Western streams. I’m sure that fishing with it out West will provide opportunities for a new favorite moment for me.
Value for the money vs. other options
This rod is the Douglas Outdoors flagship model. In my opinion, with the lifetime warranty and attention to detail in the build of this rod, it is a great value for the money. I’m glad I went with this rather than the Orvis Helios 3D that was slightly more expensive.
Final verdict
This rod is now my favorite 6 wt in my arsenal. It balances perfectly with my Waterworks-Lamson Liquid reel and is a joy to use for hours on end. I highly recommend this rod for anglers looking to add their first 6 wt rod, or to those who just want to add a high-end option to their arsenal.
Douglas SKY G Fly Rod
- We price match
- Returnable