Redington CROSSWATER Combo Review: a no-fuss starter fly kit that actually fishes

I’ve been messing around with beginner fly outfits for a while now, either for friends who want to try fly fishing or as a backup rod I can throw in the car. The Redington CROSSWATER Combo in 5WT 9'0" is one of those kits that claims to be “ready to fish” right out of the case. I took it out as if I were totally new to this: no fancy upgrades, no line swaps, just what comes in the package.

On paper, it checks a lot of boxes: 9-foot, 5-weight, medium-fast graphite rod, Crosswater reel, RIO Mainstream WF5F line, all pre-spooled, plus a travel case. Basically, it targets the person who wants to stop reading about fly fishing and actually go throw a fly at some trout. The Amazon rating is around 4.5/5 with more than a hundred reviews, so it’s clearly not some random no-name combo.

In use, I tried it in the exact conditions most beginners will see: a small-to-medium river for trout, a bit of wind in the afternoon, and a mix of dry flies and small nymphs. I didn’t baby it. I tossed it in the trunk, walked through brush with it, and let a buddy who had never touched a fly rod try it. I wanted to see if this thing is friendly or frustrating when you’re just starting out.

Overall, my feeling is pretty simple: it’s not perfect and it’s not fancy, but it actually fishes. The rod casts decently, the reel is basic but functional, and the fact that it comes pre-rigged saves a lot of headaches for a first-timer. There are some corners cut, especially on the reel and the case quality, but for the price and the target audience, it gets the job done without feeling like a toy store special.

In terms of value, the CROSSWATER combo lands in a pretty sweet spot for someone starting out. For the price of a mid-range rod alone, you’re getting a rod, reel, quality-brand line, leader, and a travel case, all pre-rigged. That matters for beginners because the hidden costs of fly fishing add up fast: separate rod, reel, backing, line, leaders, case, and the time to figure out how to match everything. Here, that hassle is mostly removed.

Compared to really cheap no-name Amazon combos, this one feels more trustworthy. The rod actually casts decently, the line is from RIO (a real brand), and Redington has a reputation and warranty behind it. You’re paying more than the rock-bottom kits, but you’re avoiding a lot of the frustration that comes with them. For a first setup to see if you like fly fishing, that’s good value in my book.

On the flip side, if you already know you’re going to be serious about fly fishing and you have a bigger budget, you might be better off buying a slightly nicer rod and a mid-range reel separately. There is better gear out there for more money, especially in terms of reel quality and overall refinement. This combo is more about convenience and “good enough” performance than about long-term, high-end gear.

Given the 4.5/5 average rating and my own use, I’d call the value pretty solid. You’re not overpaying for branding or fancy extras, and you’re not stuck with something that feels like a toy. It’s a sensible purchase for beginners, for a backup rod to keep in the car, or as a loaner setup for friends. Just go in knowing it’s a starter kit, not a lifetime setup, and the price makes sense.

Design-wise, the CROSSWATER combo is simple but not ugly. The rod is a blue graphite blank, which actually looks pretty nice in person. One of the Amazon reviewers even called it “sexy,” and I get what they mean: it doesn’t scream entry-level the way some bright, goofy beginner rods do. The wraps are clean, and the guides are aligned properly on the unit I had. Nothing fancy, but it looks like a normal fly rod you’d see on the river, not a kids’ kit.

The reel is where you clearly see the budget side. It’s lightweight and mostly plastic, and it doesn’t give that solid, metal feel you get from more expensive reels. That said, the spool design is functional, and the drag knob is easy enough to access and adjust. It’s not pretty, it’s not something you’ll baby, but it doesn’t look completely cheap either. Just don’t expect any kind of showpiece here.

The zippered case is practical in design: one long tube with separate internal sections for the 4 rod pieces and a spot for the reel. It’s meant for travel and backpacking, and the concept is good. You can carry everything in one hand or strap it to a pack. However, based on both my feel and at least one Amazon review, the case isn’t the most robust. Someone received theirs bent and beat up, and I’m not that surprised. The outer shell is semi-rigid, not a hard case.

In practice, the overall design hits a decent balance between looks and function. The rod looks like something a regular angler would use, the reel does the job, and the case keeps things organized. If you want polished design, machined metal, and fancy trim, this isn’t it. If you just want a normal-looking setup that won’t embarrass you on the river, it’s totally fine.

The rod is graphite, which is standard these days, even on cheaper kits. The blank feels reasonably light in hand, and the finish is clean. Guides and reel seat are nothing fancy, but I didn’t see any obvious defects: no sloppy epoxy, no misaligned guides on my sample. It’s a medium power setup, and you can feel enough backbone to handle typical trout without feeling like a broomstick. For the price range, the rod material feels totally acceptable.

The reel is where you clearly see cost-saving. It’s a basic Crosswater model, mostly plastic with a metal drag system inside. In hand, it feels light but not very premium. If you’ve handled mid-range or higher reels, you’ll feel the difference right away. That said, plastic doesn’t automatically mean junk. It handled getting set down on rocks and dirt without any drama. One Amazon review mentioned scratches and dust on arrival, which lines up with my impression that quality control and handling aren’t top-tier.

The line is RIO Mainstream WF5F, which is actually a decent choice for a beginner combo. RIO isn’t some no-name brand, and this line feels like a real fly line, not the sticky, memory-heavy stuff that often comes with cheap kits. The leader it ships with is basic but usable. If you’re picky, you’ll eventually upgrade the line and leaders, but you don’t have to do it on day one.

The included zippered travel case is made from a fabric shell with some padding. It’s designed more for convenience than hardcore protection. It keeps everything together and offers some impact resistance, but it’s not a bombproof hard tube. The fact that one buyer got a bent and damaged case suggests it’s not super rigid. In short, the materials are very much “budget but functional”: good enough to fish, not built like high-end gear, and you can feel where they saved money, mainly on the reel and the case.

After using the combo a few outings and treating it like a normal, not-babied setup, I’d say the durability is decent but not bulletproof. The graphite rod held up fine to being knocked around a bit, leaned against rocks, and fished in brushy banks. The ferrules fit snugly and didn’t rotate during casting. I didn’t feel any weird soft spots or hear cracking sounds. As long as you treat it like a normal fly rod (don’t step on it, don’t high-stick fish), it should last a while.

The reel is the part I’d worry about first in the long term. Being mostly plastic, it will probably pick up scratches and dings quickly. The Amazon review that mentioned it arriving with scratches and dust shows that either the packaging or handling isn’t perfect. Functionally, mine worked fine, but I wouldn’t be shocked if, after a few seasons of hard use, the reel feels looser or develops some play. If you’re fishing occasionally and not abusing it, it’ll likely hold up. If you’re out every weekend, you might eventually want to upgrade the reel.

The case is another weak point. It’s handy, but I wouldn’t trust it to protect the rod in rough travel situations, like being tossed around in airline luggage. The report of a bent and damaged case, even though the shipping box was fine, suggests it doesn’t handle pressure very well. For car trips and light backpacking, it’s okay; for serious protection, I’d look at a sturdier rod tube later on.

On the positive side, several users mention that Redington is decent with warranties, which helps. If you do end up breaking the rod, you at least have some support. Overall, durability is “good enough” for a beginner or casual angler. It’s not fragile junk, but it’s also not built like a tank. Expect normal wear and tear and plan to upgrade weak points over time if you stick with the sport.

Performance is where I focused most of my time, because a beginner combo that’s hard to cast is basically useless. The 9' 5WT medium-fast rod is clearly tuned to be forgiving. With the included RIO Mainstream WF5F line, it loads pretty easily, especially at short to medium distances. If you’re new, that matters: you can feel the rod bend and do some of the work instead of having to force every cast.

On the river, I was comfortably making 30–40 foot casts with minimal effort, which is more than enough for most trout situations. Roll casting was okay too, thanks to the 9-foot length. The rod doesn’t feel crisp or ultra-precise, but that’s not really the goal here. It’s more about forgiving timing and helping you send a fly roughly where you want it. I had a buddy who’d never fly cast before try it, and within 20–30 minutes he was putting flies in the general zone. That’s a good sign for a starter rod.

The reel’s performance is basic but functional. The disc drag is there and it works, but you’re not getting some ultra-smooth, sealed system. For stocker trout and smaller fish, it’s totally fine. I hooked a couple of decent trout and the drag didn’t stutter or lock up, but it also didn’t feel particularly refined. It’s more of a line holder with a usable drag than a precision tool. For a 5-weight trout combo at this price, that’s acceptable.

Line-wise, the RIO Mainstream WF5F is actually one of the stronger points. It’s a decent beginner line that turns over flies without needing perfect technique. It floated properly and didn’t feel like cheap rope. Overall, in terms of performance, the combo does what it needs to do: it lets a beginner actually fish without fighting the gear. If you’re already an experienced caster, you’ll feel its limits quickly, but as a starter or backup, it’s pretty solid on the water.

Out of the box, the Redington CROSSWATER Combo is pretty straightforward. You get a 9-foot, 5-weight, 4-piece graphite rod, a Crosswater reel already spooled with backing, RIO Mainstream WF5F floating line, and a leader attached. Everything comes in a zippered travel case that holds the rod sections and the reel together, which is nice if you just want to throw one tube in the car and go. No extra flies, no gadgets, just the basics you actually need to start casting.

The combo is targeted at adults and clearly geared towards trout and general freshwater fishing. A 5-weight is a pretty standard all-round weight: fine for stocked trout, small wild trout, and even some panfish or small bass. The medium power and medium-fast action are meant to be forgiving, not some stiff competition stick that punishes every bad cast. For a beginner or a casual angler, that’s honestly the right call.

What I liked is that you don’t have to think about matching rod, reel, and line. It’s all balanced from the factory. The reel is already set up, so you’re basically tying on a fly and going. For someone who doesn’t want to learn line weights, backing capacity, and drag systems on day one, that’s a real plus. It’s also fairly light overall; at around 1 kg for the whole kit, it’s not a burden on a short hike.

On the downside, you can feel that some parts are budget-oriented. The reel is plastic, and the case, while handy, doesn’t feel premium. This is not a high-end outfit you’ll brag about, but as a practical starter package, it’s pretty solid. It’s the type of kit I’d hand to a friend who wants to see if they even like fly fishing before dropping serious money.