French brand Native hit the market in the last 5 years with its match-nymphing rods (french technique). In 2025, the brand enters the fly fishing market with a big challenge : manufacture its own fly blanks and rods in its headquarters, in the South of France. Native Fly Fishing brings the new fly rod series Anthem with 5 models : 9' #5, 10' #4, 10'6 #3, 11' #2 et 11' #3.
Here is the review of the 2 eleven footers models.
Native Anthem 11' #2
Native Anthem 11' #3
MEASURES :
The Common Cents System protocol was used to characterize the action and the power of this rod :
POWER
Regarding power, it is superior for both rods to what indicates the manufacturer.
With a ERN value of 2.82, the 11' #2 is #2/3 and the 11' #3 is #3/4 with ERN value of 3.86).
ACTION
With an AA at 66°, the action of the Native Anthem 11' #2 is mod-fast, while the #3 model is fast with an Action Angle of 70°.
MANUFACTURING
Every component has been carrefully choosen to optimize the performances, without sacrificing the aesthetics of the rods : that's notably the case of the rods which models and placement greatly impacts the behaviour of long euronymphing rods. Pierre Lavignotte, the rod designer, has selected ultra-light guides and a perfect placement :
- when euronymphing, the line will create a backlash down the rod and will tends to slip down if the stipper guide is too far from the handle. A distance bellow a foot greatly reduces the issue, which is the case here with 10.6in.
- same applies to the distance between the stripper and the next guide, which is just bellow 1'.
Another critical aspect of building a nymphing rod is undoubtedly the handle/reel seat combo: once again, the construction is top-notch. Pierre logically chose a down-locking reel seat for better balance, paired with a handle of ideal dimensions. With a standard thickness (25mm) and a relatively short length (165mm), it allows for optimal use of a semi-automatic fly reel. Indeed, the combination of a down-locking reel seat + 165mm short handle is the perfect setup for users of semi-auto reels, as it allows the ring finger of the hand holding the rod to rest on the trigger, making it possible to quickly retrieve excess line (which becomes difficult when the length exceeds 170mm).
Note that several elements of the rod setup are available "à la carte," including:
- The type of handle: AAA cork from Portugal or carbon (manufactured in the U.S. in this case).
- The double locking reel seats, developed by the brand, are available with either burl wood or carbon inserts.
As for the finishes, this Native Anthem series includes a hook keeper but does not have alignment dots on the sections.
COMFORT
In terms of fishing comfort, the Swing Weight (PTE) of the 11' #2 is only about fifteen grams higher than that of the Soldarini Tournament 11' #3, which it directly competes with (both rods are 11' with a true power rating of #2/3). This difference is due to the one-centimeter variation in handle length between the two models: the Native's shorter handle slightly "penalizes" it in the Swing Weight measurement, but ensures optimal use of a semi-automatic reel… you can’t have it all! A reel weighing around 160 grams is recommended for perfect balance.
Finally, the Swing Weight of the Anthem 11' #3 is about twenty grams lower than that of the Angefly Stratège 11' #3/4 (another rod of similar length/power), thanks to its down-locking reel seat — a particularly useful feature on rods of this length and power. A reel (empty) weighing around 170 grams will provide optimal balance.
Editor’s Review
After hundreds of reviews published in these columns, this one will be remembered: it's the first article dedicated to fly rods that are fully designed and manufactured in France (for the record, the blanks are rolled in Native's workshops in Ariège, down the Pyrénées montains). We were particularly excited to test these new models.
From the very first moments, the designer's rigor is evident in the construction: it is straightforward and primarily focused on technical aspects. From the distribution of the guides to the design of the handle and the mass distribution along the blank, every detail has been carefully thought out and selected with one goal in mind: to provide the best fishing experience. Let’s dive into the usage now:
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The 11' #2, with its true #2/3 power rating and moderate-fast action, is THE epitome of a modern nymphing rod. It is designed for versatile fishing in medium to large rivers, with a preference for fine approaches (beads under 3.5mm), targeting fish up to around forty centimeters. Its moderate-fast action ensures a smooth curve along the blank, reducing break-offs and hook losses. It directly competes with the Soldarini Tournament 11' #3, sharing the same combination of length/action/power (though more experienced anglers will notice that the Native is slightly faster).
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The 11' #3, with a true #3/4 power rating and a fast action, is much more authoritative: this rod excels in the specific pursuit of larger fish and heavy fishing in medium to large rivers. This extra power will even allow it to cast a #4 line if the situation calls for it!
These rods come with a lifetime warranty, including a "no-questions-asked" guarantee for the first year (in case of breakage for any reason, the broken sections are replaced with just a shipping cost contribution).
