Testers enjoyed the feel of Allen’s Icon II. Across the board, the testers noted the rod has a very balanced feel in the hand and that the rod loaded effortlessly. The Icon II has a seamless feel when transferring energy from the rod to the line. Testers also noted that the rod definitely finds its place on the continuum of fast-action rods, but it’s closer to medium-fast than super-fast, which allows the Icon II to offer a smooth blend of power and sensitivity. Fly Fusion staff tested the 9-foot, 5-weight and gave it high marks for versatility. It performed well in a number of trouty situations with a number of different methods (streamers, nymphs and dries). To compliment the rod’s performance, the blank has an attractive deep brown finish with dark mahogany wraps. Click here to check them out.