Description

Thomas & Thomas Avantt II 5WT 9′

Thomas & Thomas is excited to announce the release of the highly anticipated Avantt II, a fully redesigned second generation of T&Ts acclaimed Avantt series. These fast action rods incorporate five different types of premium fibers, bound together by our proprietary aerospace resin system. Aligning these fibers at strategic angles as we roll Avantt II blanks improves strength while enhancing recovery and damping, allowing for precise tip control. With highly balanced tapers designed to optimize these advanced materials, the Avantt II loads with unmatched smoothness and efficiency, generating high line speeds and making accurate casts at all distances virtually effortless. Components have been carefully selected to maximize performance and comfort, including a new Special Wells Grip.

Invitational Review

From the manufacturer: What specific fishing scenarios did you design this rod for, and where do you feel it truly excels in performance?
This rod is a fast-action technical trout fishing rod. With the ability to handle small streamers, nymphing with indicators, and long leader dry fly presentations, it is an intuitive, easy-to-cast rod that is a jack-of-all-trades workhorse. It excels within average trout fishing distances (20ft to 60ft). The stable tip and fast recovery allow for pinpoint presentations with a variety of flies and leaders.

This rod is ideal for technical trout fishing with dry flies and working small streamers. While a 10ft rod might be better for purely nymphing, this rod casts nymph and indicator rigs with great accuracy and plenty of backbone for repositioning line during mends and setting hooks at distance.

“Effortless Accuracy”: This rod cuts line through the air like a scalpel, delivering surgical precision when absolute control is needed.

From the manufacturer: What fly line would you recommend pairing with this rod?

• Dry Flies: SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Standard

• All-Rounder: SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity

Caster Scores:

STREAMER COURSE – TOTAL SCORE 111.5/150

Thomas & Thomas Avantt II

30′ Cast

40′ Cast

50′ Cast

30′ Wind

40′ Wind

50′ Wind

Reach Cast 30′

Reach Cast 30′ Wind

Belgian Cast 30′

Belgian Cast 30′ Wind

FINAL SCORE

Caster 1

4

4

4

4.5

4.5

4.5

4

4

4

4

41.5

Caster 2

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3

3.5

3

34

Caster 3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

4

3.5

4

36

Combined

11

11

11

11.5

11.5

11.5

11

11

11

11

111.5

DRY FLY COURSE – TOTAL SCORE 128/195

Thomas & Thomas Avantt II

20′ Cast

30′ Cast

40′ Cast

50′ Cast

20′ Wind

30′ Wind

40′ Wind

50′ Wind

Pile Cast 30′

Reach Cast 30′

Reach Cast 30′ Wind

False Cast 30′

False Cast 30′ Wind

FINAL SCORE

Caster 1

3.5

3.5

3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3

3

43.5

Caster 2

2

2.5

3

3.5

3

3

3

3.5

3

3

3

3

3

38.5

Caster 3

3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

4

4

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

46

Combined

8.5

9.5

9.5

10.5

10

10.5

10.5

10

10

10

10

9.5

9.5

128

NYMPH COURSE – TOTAL SCORE 73.5/105

Thomas & Thomas Avantt II

Roll Cast 30′

Roll Cast 40′

Mend at 30′

Mend at 40′

Casting 20′

Casting 30′

Casting 40′

FINAL SCORE

Caster 1

4

4

3

3

4

4

4

26

Caster 2

3

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

24

Caster 3

3.5

4

3.5

3.5

2.5

3

3.5

23.5

Combined

10.5

11.5

10

10

10

10.5

11

73.5

Caster Notes:

Streamer Course | 7.5 3x leader with size 4 Zonker

• This rod is fast, but it still has feel. I like the fact that this rod has power without giving up on feel. The tip is stable, light to hand, and easy to cast.

• Light in hand. Fast as described. I can be quick and accurate. Not as soft as Id like, but for a good/fast action rod, its smooth and has more touch than others. It has a nice grip, handles weight just fine and longer casts are possible.

• Fast action as designed, but smooth. Not too tippy at distance. Not the greatest feel, but it is as designed. Light in hand and overall stiff, but decent bend.

Dry Fly Course | 10 5x leader with Yard Indicator

• Slow recovery. Today this rod feels a bit tip heavy.

• No touch in close. Had to work harder to make simple casts. The strength of this rod is at 40.

Nymph Course | 9 leader with size 8 Girdle Bug and size 16 BH Pheasant Tail

• Rod performed very well nymphing. The tip of the rod was way more responsive with weight.

• Feels really good in close. Nice in hand. Loads better than others. Struggles some on the 40 roll cast, but is overall pretty good.

• Provides feedback at 40. Slightly tippy and uneven. This is still one of the nicer rods to cast in this course.

Yellow Dog Final Takeaway
The Thomas & Thomas Avantt II 5-weight is a fast-action rod that manages to balance power with a surprising amount of feel and responsiveness, especially for its class. The Avantt II placed third in the streamer course, first in the nymph course, and fourth in overall performance. Light in hand, stable, and easy to cast, it handles weight well and performs confidently at longer distancesparticularly on the streamer and nymph courses. While it can feel slightly tip-heavy and less refined in close, especially on the dry fly course, it delivers solid feedback and smooth casting when paired with the right load. A polished and capable rod that offers a good blend of performance and touch, especially for anglers who favor fast action without sacrificing feel, which the casters found to be a challenge for all fast action rods.

Warranty

LIFETIME WARRANTY
Upon receipt of a completed warranty card or online registration, Thomas & Thomas warrants its graphite and fiberglass fly rods against breakage due to defects in materials, manufacturing or workmanship for the life of the original purchaser as long as he/she retains ownership of the rod, ordinary wear and tear excepted. This warranty shall be effective if the rod is purchased from an authorized Thomas & Thomas dealer and the original warranty card or a facsimile thereof is delivered to Thomas & Thomas within 30 days of purchase.

Blanks are also covered by the warranty under the same conditions, though no registration is required. Service is limited to replacement of blank section(s) only, Thomas & Thomas will not build-out the part.

This warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of the rod or blank. Every Thomas & Thomas fly rod is carefully inspected prior to shipment. However, if any defect in workmanship should appear, simply send the rod or blank to Thomas & Thomas and it will be repaired or replaced.

A return shipping, handling and mailing insurance charge will be applied to repairs. Warranty does not cover lost sections or lost rods. Original owner is responsible for the cost of sending in the rod to be repaired, with tracking and insurance coverage recommended. Materials and color may vary from those used on the original rod (for example, in the event that the model is no longer in production).

This warranty does not cover damage caused by use for other than its intended purpose, intentional breakage, or abuse or neglect in the use, transport or storage of the rod. It does not include damage caused by others through attempted modifications or customization of the finished rod, or damage caused by others during assembly of a blank into a finished rod. If a rod or blank needs to be repaired or replaced as a result of damage caused by actions or conditions excluded from warranty coverage, Thomas & Thomas can repair or replace it at a reasonable charge. In no event does Thomas & Thomas accept or assume any responsibility or liability for incidental or consequential damages related to or arising from ownership or use of the rod or blank.

REGISTRATION
In order to receive the benefits of the Thomas & Thomas lifetime warranty, please register your new rod within 30 days of purchase.
Get information about registering your rod here.