I have the Gaelforce 13ft6inch 9 weight 4 piece, lovely rod to fish with but I would not describe it as a lightweight rod. I am approaching 70 rapidly and fit and it,s not a rod I would use for a full day.

 

Is that the Gaelforce G+ or an earlier version?

 

Loop zt travel 13ft 7#

 

Two of those broke on the West Ranga last year whilst I was there.

 

Gaelforce is far from being a lightweight rod as Bruino stated
The nam ren are the lightest rods iv had im my hands ,,

 

I cast a Gealforce and an Asquith back to back on the Tay a few weeks ago. Being honest, both are wow rods!, however they go about it in different ways, while the Asquith is a Rapier the Gaelforce is a Broad Sword. For me it would be very hard to choose as both rods will more than get the job done in fine stylee, it's just how you'd like to go about getting that job done and maybe the extent of the job you want doing!.
For your circumstances I suggest at least looking at the Asquith, its certainly lighter in the hand and feels more middle to tip action, The Gaelforce is a lot firmer, robust, heavier in the tip and carries more weight, certainly more of a big river rod for big lines!- but not by much, its not like comparing a B+W Cairngorm to a Guideline Le Cei!.
Neither are cheap, let's be honest there, considering that I'd really suggest casting both and seeing what you think. Lines will also play a part too, for heads then the Asquith, for big heads and full lines, then the Gaelforce. Thats not absolute though, both rods will cope with either style but I do feel each rod had a bias even if only slight. Although I cast bigger rods length wise they'd both tremendous power and put a line a long long way.
I also agree with Bruino, the Asquith is an all day long rod, you might feel the pace with the Gaelforce.
The rods I cast belonged to the Spey O Rama winner this year and his line's were very well tuned for the rods and set up well which no doubt helped the distance and ease they were both cast with, but I kid you not I was close on 50yds with each rod and with a little time and acclimatisation I'd expect more distance to be available.
I know its not all about sheer distance, but when you back paddle to well within your capabilities its the ease a rod will deliver your every day casts for you which I think is a reasonable goal to achieve!.
Know they're a different rod, but my 11ft 9 Igniter and Airflo Scandi Compact are like that, it just cast's and go's and go's, wind or anything don't stop it, even bad hangovers and boots on the wrong feet won't hold that rod back it just delivers all ends up, and more than I am capable of asking for too- even politely.
Take your time here, there's a lot at stake for you to gain positively, but considering the brass a wise choice would be a great choice!.
Best of luck, Pedro.

 

Now that is real feedback, thanks Reinne just what I wanted to know, for me that says the Asquith has what I want, light in the hand for medium lines and can be used all day and the day after that ..........

 

You might like to add the Vision XO 13’ 6” #8 Graphene to your viewing list. Light in the hand, lovely feel and a delightful through action.

 

A delightful rod to fish all day

 

CND Gravity rods are very light for the power they have. I tried some CND Nordic prototypes at the weekend and to be honest, I thought they were very powerful and did what I asked of them, delivering long casts but, they aren't as nice to fish with as the Gravity range, from my experience. I find the Gravity range easy to fish with all day and they are easier to manipulate in different scenarios than the Nordics I tried.

 

Have you considerd the hardy ultralite ? Really light bit of kit for all day use.

 

For a lightweight and powerful rod I can tell you that I set out to put together an all day rig back in 2019. I paired the Guideline LPXe 13 foot 8 weight with a Hardy MTX reel and a 550 grain line.

The entire kit weighs in at 15.9 ounces on my digital here. For all but the largest rivers that rod will reach any distance I need to cast to. That reel is one of the Carbon fiber frame types and very light.

I also have a Gaelforce 13'9" #8/9 that I use a lot, great rod but not as light as the one above.

 

When my tool needs blaming I always use the excuse of excessive alcohole.

 

If you are talking about swing weight, I have yet to cast a rod that feels lighter in the hand then the Asquith, there isn't a modern rod under 15 that should put a pyshical limitation on an angler with a modern short head system unless they are themselves physically impaired in some way.

I would say the choice of line is the key factor with any modern rod as that greatly impacts user friendliness more then anything and so many times I've helped people who were about to sell a great rod save money just by getting the right line on it.

 

@rotenone Thanks for the feedback, I am just about to aquire a 13'-6" 8# Asquith, what would you reccomend as a short head line? I already have both an 7 & 9 Airflow Scout and Rio Scandi Versitips in 7, 9 & 10# will try the 9# first to see how they go, but your recommedation would be appreciated.

 

Orginal nextcast Zone 400grains with a 10-15’ tip 8g work well
Rio Versi-tip in #8 also works well on it.

But it will handle both lighter and heavier lines as well(32-36g)

 

An Airflo Scandi Compact, I have several for my switch rods and short 2 handers. It's a flamin' rocket launcher and on that rod with the right leader system it'll absolutely fly. Polys won't be an issue either, all mine have 16ft of leader and they are so enjoyable and easy to cast, on an Asquith they should be nowt short of sublime.
Best of luck, Pedro.

 

Thanks Pedro, will have a search to compare the Scout I have to the Airflow Scandi Compact, no perhaps just go and buy one instead? 😎

 

Seems most of the difference between the Scout and Compact Scandi is in the length of belly, in the same weight, Scandi has 14' of belly and the Scout has only 7'-6", will just have to buy one and try the two side by side.

 

The rio scandi short might suit. They do a versitip version too which potentialy may allow you to use tips from the other line also.

 

Wo and then there is the Superflow Max Scandi Compact and that has a 20' front taper compard to the others at only 6' front taper, I have a few Rio Versitips in 7, 9 & even 10 weight with long and short tips, time to get down to the Mill pond and try them all, this is going to get very interesting if not exhasting.

Thanks for all your help guys, its appreciated.

 

Wo and then there is the Superflow Max Scandi Compact and that has a 20' front taper compard to the others at only 6' front taper, I have a few Rio Versitips in 7, 9 & even 10 weight with long and short tips, time to get down to the Mill pond and try them all, this is going to get very interesting if not exhasting.

Thanks for all your help guys, its appreciated.

That sounds like a good plan. At least then you will have a good base line to work from as in you want longer, shorter, heavier, lighter etc.
Hopefully one of the lines you have work and its job done.

 

The Asquith 13’6” is a wonderful rod and unbelievably light. I have loved every cast I have made with it. As well as its lightness it casts a beautiful line effortlessly. I use a Rio AFS most of the time, and the integrated Gaelforce short head when I want to work the fly close in.
HOWEVER, in September, having had the rod 27 months, it snapped mid cast in the second section. The warranty is good for two years. I have sent it back to Loomis, hopeful that they will replace it. I remember reading a previous thread on the Asquith where the same happened and it was not replaced. I shall let you know the outcome.

 

What one of those line do you guys think will be best at a very windy Iceland?

 

Zone 400 bodies with the tips I mentioned