The G. Loomis IMX-PRO V2 is the kind of fly rod that makes you pause after the first few casts and think, this one’s right. Designed and built in Woodland, Washington, it has the look and feel of a rod crafted by anglers who actually fish, and who have been at it for a while. The V2 is an evolution of the popular IMX-PRO line, carrying over the crisp performance, durability and visible quality Loomis fans expect, but with some meaningful refinements in feel and finish.

At the heart of the V2 is Loomis’ Conduit Core Technology, a design that replaces excess graphite material in key transition areas with an advanced compound that maintains strength while cutting weight. The result is a rod that’s noticeably lighter in hand and better balanced, without losing the reserve power needed to punch a long cast into a headwind or lift a sinking line and streamer from the depths.

The blank is built with the GL7 resin system, another proprietary Loomis innovation that increases durability while enhancing energy transfer through the rod. That means tighter loops, more accurate presentations, and less fatigue after a long day on the water.

Hardware and componentry are equally first-rate. The chrome single-foot guides and stripper guides are both lightweight and corrosion-resistant, keeping line friction to a minimum.

Grip configurations vary by rod weight and intended use. The micro full wells premium-grade cork grips on line weights 4 through 6 (and the 7810-4 and 8810-4 models) are firm but comfortable, with just the right taper for precise control. The heavier 7100-4 and 8100-4 models step up to a traditional full wells grip, better suited for saltwater or big-river power casting.

Loomis also sweats the details on the reel seats. The custom aluminum seat with wood insert on the 490-4 and 590-4 models gives the lighter rods a classic look and feel, while the fighting butt version on the larger models (4100-4 and 590-4 FB and up) signals that these rods are built to handle bigger fish and heavier lines.

Every IMX-PRO V2 comes in a protective tube and cloth rod bag, as you’d expect from a premium stick, and is backed by the company’s Limited Lifetime Warranty with No-Fault Replacement, Flat Rate Shipping, and Free Returns. It’s a reassuring policy from a brand with decades of reputation behind it.

At around the mid-$600 to $700 range (depending on model), the IMX-PRO V2 is more expensive than workhorse rods but well worth the investment; expert anglers can feel where every dollar goes.

For anglers who appreciate craftsmanship and performance in equal measure, the IMX-PRO V2 earns its place in the rod rack — and in the hand — season after season. https://www.gloomis.com/collections/fly-rods.