The Redington Crosswater is an affordable fly rod outfit that a beginner can cast without fighting the rod. I took the 9-foot 5-weight model down to the river and found it easy to get along with at normal trout distances. It lacks some of the accuracy and reserve power of a more expensive rod, but that is a fair trade for an outfit designed to get a new angler fishing quickly.
It also makes sense as a backup or loaner. I would happily use it to teach a child, partner or friend. The action is forgiving during those first awkward casting sessions, and you will not worry about every bump or scrape.
The blue, four-piece 9-foot 5-weight reviewed here comes with a Crosswater reel, RIO Mainstream WF5F line and a zippered rod-and-reel case.
Buy it as a first trout outfit or a practical spare. Skip it if you already cast well and want more accuracy at distance, better performance in wind or a setup you will not feel the need to upgrade.
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The exact Crosswater I tested
This review covers one specific Crosswater outfit rather than every rod sold under the name:
- Rod: Redington Crosswater 590-4
- Length: 9 feet
- Line weight: 5-weight
- Pieces: four
- Action: medium-fast
- Blank: graphite
- Reel seat: anodized aluminum
- Included reel: Redington Crosswater
- Included line: RIO Mainstream WF5F
- Included storage: zippered rod-and-reel case
- Color: blue
Crosswater rods have appeared in several lengths, weights and generations. The heavier models are built for different water and flies, so the findings below should not be applied to every Crosswater carrying the same blue finish.
How it casts
The Crosswater is described as medium-fast, but it sits on the more forgiving side of that label. It loads without demanding perfect timing, which helps a new caster feel what the rod is doing. At the short and middle distances most beginners fish, I could form a clean enough loop and put a dry fly or nymph rig where it needed to go.
That easy-loading action is the best reason to buy it. A beginner can concentrate on timing and presentation instead of trying to force a stiff blank to work.
There is a limit. The Crosswater loses accuracy and power as the cast gets longer. Wind and heavier flies expose the difference sooner. It handles ordinary trout fishing well enough, but I would not choose this 5-weight for repeated long casts, bulky streamers or regular saltwater use.
Build quality and setup
The graphite blank feels comfortable in hand, and the alignment dots make the four sections quicker to assemble. The blue finish stands out without looking gaudy. The thread wraps on the rod I tested were tidy, while the anodized aluminum reel seat is a practical choice for a rod likely to be knocked around while someone learns.
The cork handle has a reversed half-wells shape. It gave me enough support for a 5-weight and stayed comfortable during a normal session. The guides are basic, which is what I would expect at this price, but they did their job.
Reel, line and travel case
The complete outfit removes most of the setup guesswork. The reel, backing and WF5F line are matched to the rod, so a beginner can add a leader and fly rather than researching every part separately.
The Crosswater reel is adequate for trout fishing. It is not the reason to buy the package, but it balances the rod and gives a new angler a workable starting point.
The supplied RIO Mainstream line is much the same: useful out of the box, but likely to be the first component you replace. Once your casting improves, a better fly line should make a more noticeable difference than changing the reel. Our guide to the best fly lines explains what to look for when the original line starts holding you back.
The zippered case protects all four rod sections and leaves room for the reel. That is useful if the outfit lives in a car or travels as a backup. I would prefer a shoulder strap, although its absence is a small annoyance rather than a reason to avoid the outfit.
Where the 9-foot 5-weight works best
This version is best suited to general trout fishing on small and medium rivers. It is comfortable with dry flies, nymph rigs and modest streamers at realistic fishing distances.
It makes sense for:
- a first fly rod and reel outfit;
- a spare rod kept ready for a guest;
- teaching a child, partner or friend;
- an inexpensive travel or car setup;
- an angler who wants a matched outfit without choosing every component.
It is less convincing for an experienced caster chasing tight loops at distance or enough power to throw heavy flies into the wind. An angler with those priorities will outgrow the Crosswater quickly.
Redington Crosswater pros and cons
Pros
- Forgiving medium-fast action that new casters can load.
- A matched outfit with fewer setup decisions.
- A useful 9-foot 5-weight configuration for common trout techniques.
- Four-piece construction and a protective case for easier transport.
- Alignment dots that speed up assembly.
- Sensible price and performance for a backup or teaching rod.
Cons
- Less accurate and powerful than better rods at longer distances.
- The supplied line is serviceable rather than exceptional.
- The reel is basic and better suited to freshwater trout than demanding saltwater use.
- No shoulder strap on the case.
- Similar Crosswater names and Amazon variations make exact model checking important.
Is the Redington Crosswater still available?
Redington was founded in 1992 and still builds its range around accessible fly-fishing gear. Its current kit collection now gives more attention to the Original and Wrangler ranges, although Crosswater outfits remain listed through Amazon and some retailers.
Several weights and Amazon child listings share almost identical names. The buying link on this page is intended for the same blue, four-piece 9-foot 5-weight outfit reviewed above. Confirm that the selected Amazon option reads 5WT 9'0" 4PC before ordering.
If that exact Crosswater is unavailable, the Redington Original 590-4 is the closest current beginner-focused kit in Redington’s own catalogue. The Wrangler 590-4 Trout Kit is a more expensive step up. They are different rods, so my Crosswater test should not be read as a hands-on review of either alternative.
You can also compare other current packages in our guide to the best fly rod combos.
Common questions
Is the Redington Crosswater good for beginners?
Yes. Its medium-fast action loads easily, and the complete outfit removes the need to match a rod, reel and line separately. Its limitations become clearer at distance and in wind, but neither should dominate a beginner’s first sessions.
Is the Crosswater a fast-action rod?
Current product and retailer descriptions call this outfit medium-fast. That matches how the 5-weight felt on the water: accessible rather than especially stiff.
What should I upgrade first?
Upgrade the fly line before replacing the reel. The supplied line works, but a better line can help the rod load and shoot more cleanly as your casting develops.
Can the 5-weight Crosswater be used in saltwater?
I would not buy this configuration for regular saltwater fishing. A 5-weight has limited power for larger flies and wind, while the basic reel is better suited to freshwater trout. If the outfit is exposed to saltwater, rinse the rod and reel thoroughly afterward.
Does the Crosswater come with a case?
The outfit reviewed here includes a zippered case that stores the four rod sections and reel together.
What about the Crosswater warranty?
Do not rely on the old one-year figure previously shown on this page. Crosswater generations and seller terms vary, and Redington’s current repair program treats discontinued models separately. Check Far Bank’s current repair and warranty terms before buying older stock.
Final verdict
The Redington Crosswater does what an entry-level outfit needs to do. It gets a new angler casting and fishing without making setup more complicated than necessary. The medium-fast action is forgiving at useful trout distances, while the matched reel, line and case make the package practical from the first trip.
You give up some accuracy, power and refinement. The line is also likely to be your first upgrade. That compromise still makes sense for a first outfit, teaching rod or backup. Experienced anglers looking for more distance and control should spend more on a current step-up kit.
Interesting article. The Redington Crosswater also comes as a combo with rod, reel and line. I’m curious to know what you think of the line included with the combo. Thanks
The line that comes with the combo is great to get started, however, as your skills improve you’ll want to swap it out for some Rio gold or grand. We have an article on the best fly rod combos here if you’d like to compare them?