I decided to publish this review unchanged from the way I wrote it more than six years ago. After having fished with it during many tournaments on a variety of rivers in several countries on two continents it remains my favourite nymphing tool, especially for short line techniques (aka the Czech style). There is no lack of nymphing rods on the market these days. While I can't claim I have tried them all I have tested a good number and in my view, for my fishing style and taste, this Maxia model remains a step above the rest. Moreover, I am not alone: the majority of our clients who have purchased one have quickly reported that they have a new favourite rod:)

So, here it is:

PRODUCT REVIEW: MAXIA MX, 10 FT, 2WT

BY IVO BALINOV, October 13, 2012, Ottawa, Canada

For a while I have been using nymphing rods made by the Italian company Modern Flies. Earlier this year I found that the company was closed and its technology was acquired by the Spanish-based Maxia Rods.

I was very curious to find out if the superb quality has been preserved and what new products Maxia Rods have to offer. I got in touch with their Marketing Director Pablo Muniz and soon enough had a Maxia MX, 2wt, 10ft in my hands.

There is probably no need to explain the advantages of a long nymphing rod but some of you may wonder why fish a 2 weight.

An increasing number of anglers find advantages in fishing a very light rod for European nymphing styles. The weight of the rod is the obvious one: less weight means less arm fatigue, something that cannot be neglected given that in European nymphing the rod is often lead through a drift with the angler’s arm fully extended.

However being able to fish low diameter leaders with a fine, light rod is the advantage that really broadens one’s fishing horizons. I do not know if a smaller leader diameter scares fish less but I do know that it allows the flies to sink faster and drift in a more natural way. This includes smaller and lighter flies than you would normally be able to use. The ultimate result is more takes and more fish in the net, and that is what we all want.

A few different companies offer light 2wt nymphing rods these days, so the Maxia MX is not exceptional in this regard. Yet, there is much more to a quality European nymphing rod than weight. Ideally, I would want a rod that has a soft sensitive tip that would allow me to track the drift of my flies and register takes. On top of that I would enjoy an action that allows me to handle light tippets but at the same time provides enough backbone to be able to fight fish well. Add to that rod material sensitivity that helps to feel as many as possible takes in addition to seeing them.

It is a tough task to combine all these features in one fishing tool and such rods remain rare on the market even after the European nymphing boom that we have been witnessing over the last few years.

How does the Maxia MX score?

Itchy to find out I headed to my favourite trout stream at the first possible occasion. I tied on a 7x leader with two light nymphs and it did not take long before some wild browns started responding to my “inquiries”. The rod’s outstanding sensitivity in tracking the drift of the flies was noticed immediately: I could feel right in my hand the extra small and relatively light nymphs ticking on the bottom. After a number of fish I also concluded that the Maxia was helping me register very gentle takes that would have remained unnoticed with my other, higher line weight, nymphing rods. This was what I hoped for when I ordered a 2wt and the Maxia MX delivered.

There were also some surprises: while the tip is soft and sensitive enough, I found the overall action of the rod faster than I expected. Initially I was not sure how to react to this, but after some fishing I started to appreciate its several advantages: enough backbone to fight fish very well and enough backbone to cast out long tapered French nymphing leaders with ease. I know the Maxia is not made for that but, forced by the circumstances at a recent competition, I also “tortured” it with some heavy streamers and it handled them surprisingly well. A fellow angler noted that a faster action allows for faster reaction to takes and more hook-ups. Personally I still need to reach a conclusion on this, but it is worth mentioning it for your own consideration.

Despite its springy action, the 2 wt. Maxia MX can be fished with extremely light tippets: I tried 7x and 8x and it handles both superbly well. I intend to try even lighter tippets in the near future.

Overall, as far as fishing qualities are concerned the Maxia scores extremely high!

How about build quality and looks? While nothing too fancy the rod is nicely made: a matt blank, high quality extra light wire single foot guides, good looking reel seat and an excellent quality cork handle (as one could expect from a Spanish-based company). What I also like about the handle is that it is long enough to fully accommodate my big hand in both thumb-on-top and index-finger-on-top grip.

What the Maxia MX could benefit from is improved graphic design and in particular, the print quality of the rod’s name and specifications above the handle. A rod of this class deserves better. Similarly, the Maxia Rods website could be improved with more appealing design and a touch to the language in its English version.      

The Maxia offers warranty against manufacture defects. This is one aspect where it may face challenges competing with the larger companies that can lure clients with unconditional lifetime warranty. Still, for me the quality of the product is of primary importance.  

The Maxia MX is not cheap but at this quality level it cannot be. It is a worthwhile investment if you want to fish with ”la crème de la crème” of nymphing rods. While my opinion is that of a rank and file amateur, the fact that two consecutive world champions have chosen Maxia rods speaks volumes to me and perhaps also to you!

More about Ivo:

Ivo has been fishing for over 35 years. His experience covers North America, Europe and the Caribbean. He is an experienced instructor who has helped countless people with their first steps into fly fishing while also coaching many advanced anglers, including several national champions of Canada as well as members of Canada's National Youth Team. He himself has learned from some of the world's very best competition anglers from the Czech Republic, Spain and the UK.

Ivo has been a successful competition angler with top finishes at major tournaments including team gold and individual bronze at the 2016 Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships, team silver at the 2018  Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships and numerous top finishes at national, provincial and regional tournaments in Canada. Ivo has served as Pro Staff for several fly fishing brands and is now Co-owner and Marketing Director of Smart Angling.