The new Loop Cross S1 fly rod series is the single most important revolution to occur in fly fishing since we introduced the large arbor reel over 20 years ago. It’s that big.
If the large arbor provided revolutionary function that made the fly reel exponentially better, you won’t believe the difference Cross S1 construction makes with fly rods. We could write an entire book on the adventure that has led to the Cross S1 series of fly rods. We could look up and write down all the available superlatives that are yet unused by other manufacturers (not many left nowadays), but the only way to truly describe what we mean is to hand one to you and let you test for yourself. If there has ever been a time in our history of development of high-performance fly fishing gear where Loop merited a “look” and a test from the fly fishing world, it is now.
Over a period of two years we have developed these fly rods where we used the new 3M™ Powerlux™ Composites. The result is amazing, the strength associated with the 3M™ Powerlux™ Composites generates a lightness and controllable elasticity that just must be experienced.
We have carefully restricted the inherent elasticity of the Loop Cross S1 so that the rod is working evenly over a much wider range than other fly rods. We have managed to make super-strong featherweight fly rods, with an emphasis on fishing where the rod is working with minimum vibration through an entire load range – from close-in and out to even extreme distances. The design requires minimal input power where the rod does the job. It has never been so easy and taken so little effort to deliver precision loops at 10-meters or 30-meters while easily controlling the line or changing the pace of the cast.
Cross S1 will be available in March 2012.
3M and Powerlux are trademarks of 3M Company.
models
rod specs
powerlux™
testimonials
MODEL
LENGTH
LINE
CURVE
TEMPO
PCS
386-4 MC/MF
8’6”
#3
MC
MF
4
490-4 MC/MF
9’0”
#4
MC
MF
4
590-4 MC/MF
9’0”
#5
MC
MF
4
690-4 MC/MF
9’0”
#6
MC
MF
4
796-4 MC/MF
9’6”
#7
MC
MF
4
7107-4 MC/MF
10’7”
#7
MC
MF
4
FLATSMAN (SALTWATER MODELS)
890-4 MC/MF
9’0”
#8
MC
MF
4
1090-4 MC/MF
9’0”
#10
MC
MF
4
1290-4 MC/MF
9’0”
#12
MC
MF
4
Rod Tempo: M=Medium, MF=Medium Fast, F=Fast
Rod Curve: FC=Full Curve, MC=Mid Curve, TC=Tip Curve
Blank in aesthetic matte smoke finish.
High-grade cork handle with Cork mix reinforcements
Triangular 3-pin aluminum reel seat in Gun Metal finish
REC RSG Recoil stripping guides. Extra strong in Black Pearl finish
REC RSNX Recoil snake guides. Extra strong in Black Pearl finish
Delivered in matching Gun Metal aluminum tube and cloth bag.
3M Company’s Powerlux™ Composites feature a revolutionary technology that transforms how carbon fiber materials perform. This breakthrough is enabled by 3M’s unique ability to formulate resin systems with high concentrations of spherical nano-sized silica particles. Because the particles are so small, they are able to flow between individual filaments of carbon fiber, providing a dense matrix of strength throughout the entire composite. The resulting material enables designers to develop rods that are not only incredibly strong and durable, but also lighter in weight and more sensitive.
Standard composite materials have lower resin stiffness and are prone to cracking or buckling under the stresses a rod sees during a good day of fishing. The more nanoparticles the resin contains, the higher the crack resistance and overall rod toughness. The Powerlux™ composite material contains an astonishing 40 percent of nanoparticles uniformly dispersed and densely packed throughout the resin.
While other companies have reported adding nano technology to their composite materials, none have been successful at adding more than single-digit percentages. Carbon nano tubes, for example, have a high length-to-width ratio of 15:1, so they are not able to disperse uniformly throughout the carbon fibers as shown in figure below.
3M™ Powerlux™ is truly a game changer that bends the rules of carbon fiber composites. The tiny, spherical nanoparticles create such a strong bond between the carbon fibers that rod stress is more evenly dissipated, leading to a significantly stronger, more durable and more flexible rod. By improving strength and sensitivity, 3M™ Powerlux™ gives you performance when it counts.
FIG. CAPTION: Other nano technologies, like carbon nano tubes, cannot filter between carbon fibers due to their higher length-to-width ratio of 15:1. 3M™ Powerlux™ spherical nanoparticles have a 1:1 length-to-width ratio, uniquely allowing for more than 40 percent of nanoparticles to be uniformly dispersed.
FIG. 1 CAPTION: Getting more nanoparticles between each carbon fiber is the key to the performance enhancements of 3M™ Powerlux™ Composites.
FIG. 2 CAPTION: This SEM image shows the rough, three-dimensional surface area that occurs when a 3MTM PowerluxTM Composite is stressed. The exceptional bond between the particle and the resin significantly hinders cracks from spreading. The result: tougher, stronger rods.
"I managed to get out to play with them and can definitely say they are the lightest and most powerful rods I have ever used. The action is slightly softer than I am used to but with a little practice they cast like a dream throwing a full line with ease. They have a fast recovery and the rod does all the work I simply guided it. I can only congratulate you on producing such a quality rod that not only is a joy to cast but cosmetically looks superb."
Mark Pattersson
AAPGAI instructor
"Dear Christer and the Loop team,
I wanted to send you a line to thank you for the opportunity to test your new invention in double handed rods, the Cross S1, 12 foot line 7. Loop has made many great rods in the past, but with this one I believe you have raised the bar yet again! I fished with it on the Stora Laxa river which is a medium size salmon river in Iceland. The rod is extremely light and I found myself occasionally, almost by accident, using it as a single hand rod! The rod was very accurate on smaller and medium sized casts and had lots of power that I could not even use as I was not fishing a big enough river. So all in all I believe you have created a rod that is suitable for smaller and medium size rivers where you need to be very accurate and precise in your casting, as well as for long distance powerful casting as there is so much power and strength built in to this light rod. One thing I enjoyed very much as Iceland is all about technical fishing was using the 12 foot 7 rod for the riffling hitch. The rods low weight makes it super-easy to lift high and strip the line fast to create the v-shape of the water with the hitched fly. Having a light rod like this is an enormous help when fishing sensitive waters which require lots of technique. The rod really helps you to create power, which means you don’t have to work so hard yourself, so at the end of the day you don’t feel tired at all. This rod fights fish very well and tire them out quickly which is very important when you are practicing catch and release. I can’t wait to get my hands on some more models of these new Cross S1 rods!"
