L.L. Bean Double L Rod Review
First Impressions
The venerable retailer L.L. Bean is serious about fly fishing. On their website, they list a range of rod options including Sage products and L.L. Bean branded offerings. In the latter category, the company provides inexpensive beginner outfits like the Quest to their Orvis-Helios challenger the Silver Ghost. Right in the middle of this line up is the Double L.
The L.L. Bean Double L is available in 3 through 6 weight and lengths from 6 ft. 6 in. to 10 ft. For this test, I received the 7 ft. 6 in. 4 weight model which retails for $200.
Features
The Double L rod is a stalwart of the L.L. Bean rod line and was recently updated according to the company’s website. Unfortunately, besides that information, the website provides little additional technical detail on the rod (no modulus rating for the graphite, no rod weight, etc.). Once in hand, however, the Double L impressed.
Specs
Action: Medium/Full Flex
Line weight: 4
Length: 7 ft 6 in
Weight: 3 oz
Warranty: Backed by L.L. Bean’s 100% satisfaction guarantee
The olive brown blank and gold cosmetics equal that of any other rod in the category. The blunted cigar grip was well finished and had no voids. It’s constructed using tip-over-butt ferrules and has line weight markers on each section (nice touch). The burled reel seat is also nicely done.
And the product comes packaged in a matching olive brown and brass-accented rod tube, one of the nicest around, making for a great presentation.
Fit
Fishing the Double L was a pleasure. Although it purports to be a medium action rod, I found it performed more like a full-flex or slower action rod. It almost feels like a 3 weight or even lighter action rod. I tend to like that fine touch on the small stream.
The Double L’s action is accentuated by its tail heaviness. Almost 80 percent of the Double L’s weight is in the butt section (2.375 oz. of the rod’s total 3 oz. weight). Because of that, the Double L feels a little less balanced than other rods. Paired with the right light weight reel, though, that wasn’t a problem. On the water, the Double L cast easily and accurately.
Final Verdict
Nice rod in a nice package. The Double L’s cosmetics and rod tube are some of the best in the category. It fishes like a much lighter weight rod than its specs would lead you to believe. The product’s solid on-the-water performance paired with L.L. Bean’s 100% satisfaction guarantee make this a no-worries go-to rod for the small stream.
