TFO Solution 5wt Rod Review

TFO SOLUTION 9’ 5wt 

Is this a sweet lil rod??
Well, I’m no Scott Stevenson, but I’ve cast a rod or two, and this one ranks high in my trout-rod category.

I’ve embarrassingly been casting 5 wts way more often than I’d like to admit lately. On my normal adventures, I’m usually leaning on something 7 wt+. But recently I’ve been addicted to the after-work trout session, or maybe that’s all I’ve had time for?…..Anyway,  I’m fortunate enough to have a few choices in the 5-wt category and a trout river nearby. 

This rod honestly does look classy. I’ve owned a lot of TFOs over the years, and that’s a first one coming out of my mouth. The wooden reel seat looks primo and matches the subtle wraps on the lower rod and the paint on the reel locks. The blacked-out hardware keeps it low-profile without trying to look like the Batmobile. I personally love the unsanded blank look because it reminds me of all my old-school trout rods I’ve collected over the years. On the functional side, TFO threw in some of the recoil guides. Being a frequent boat fisherman, I approve of this move—it gives it that extra classy touch as well.

But does it cast?
I’ve thrown this rod into about 20 clients’ hands over the past 5 months, and my fiancé keeps stealing the damn thing and giving it to hers (without asking). TFO claims it’s a mod-fast action rod, and I’ve got to agree. All the newbies pick up a multi-fly indi rig with ease. Of course, the right line helps with that, but it’s still no easy task. Most of these folks have never picked up a rod before, and I’ve got to say the taper makes it work for them. The clients who do have some experience seem to dig how smoothly this rod loads.

For myself, I’ve been using it to throw afternoon streamers after what little rain we’ve had and the occasional dry fly instead of carrying two rods up the river. If you don’t overload it with too big of a streamer, it does surprisingly great (it is a 5 wt, after all). But it really excels at the dry under the rhodo or the dry-dropper rig. I think this rod really responds to a semi-fast stroke (yes, I chuckled when I typed that), and there’s no need to overline it with a 9-foot leader.

So what’s the verdict?
This is an accurate, primo 5 wt coming out of TFO’s lineup—perhaps my favorite 5 wt from them that I’ve ever cast. At 2.9 oz, it’s light enough in the hand, yet I haven’t found a reasonable rig this 5 wt struggles with. It’s not overly flashy but has an upscale finish. First-timer or expert, this rod performs within anything I’ve been able to throw at it. In full transparency I have not had a chance to cast this rod in heavy wind or land a fish over 16in so take that for what you will.  I lined mine with an SA Amplitude Textured Trout line in 5 wt on an old Lamson Konic. I’m giving this one my “sweet little rod” stamp of approval—especially at $550 you can’t beat it.

Did I do that right, Scott??