First, nice site, us gear guys need a place to babble. Anyway, I own quite a few rods (last count, something awful like 50+) and Loomis rods are among my favorite in terms of pure performance. Let me preface this with my rod preferences...I like my 8 wts. and up as FAST as they come. As far as trout rods go (say, 5 wts. and under) I like them smooth, not nearly so fast, but quick. This, of course, is why describing rod-actions is so difficult. What is "quick" to me? What is "fast" to someone else? We'll just agree that no one person will describe similar feelings on a rod as the same. Anyway, here are my thoughts on the G.Loomis rods that I own...
9' 10wt. CrossCurrent GLX
My favorite 10wt. currently. Very fast, very quick. Superb dampening (ability to reflex from loaded back to static/straight.) The narrow rear end of the full wells grip is a serious improvement over standard grips, and makes your ability to hold the rod nearer the reel easier. I like the reel seat on this rod quite a bit, though many do not. Also, the appointments are superb, particularly the guides, as well as the wraps and overall appearence. The CrossCurent series of rods was the first from Loomis in some time (outside of the poorly received Trilogy series) to take aesthetics into consideration. Loomis rods have always been high on performance, but, at least in my opinion, kinda ugly. Read Tom McGuane's take on rods in his superb book "The Longest Silence" for an accurate take on previous offerings from Loomis. All in all, terrific rod, casts like a cannon, terribly light in the hand for a 10wt., excellent lifting power, and nice looking to boot!
9' 8wt. GL3
I've had this rod for years. Bought it to have a slightly slower 8wt. for steelheading, where I'm primarily roll casting, but still have a rod capable of going to the surf and throwing streamers all day long. Not the fastest rod, to be sure, but steady, terrific line tracking, and less fatuiging than a really fast rod. Cosmetics are "blah" at best... I'm not a fan of matte black blanks. The reel seat is fine for freshwater applications, but seems a little narrow and light for the salt, particularly if you have a larger reel (I prefer seats that have some sort of rubber locking for the salt...) Nice rod for the price. Remember, the GL3 is the comparable "fastest" rod of 10 years ago or so. While the technology of new rods is terrific, and kinda fun, don't be mislead into thinking that older models of rods are dogs and obsolete. I think that the fly rod industry has done itself a disservice, much like the golfing industry, in that regard. Of course, I buy into as much as anyone I know, so c'est la vie I suppose. Anyway, great rod for the $300 range. Only TFO (in my opinion) offers more value for the money at this price.