Testing grounds
The S1 rods have been rigorously tested in some of the world’s most demanding fishing environments—from Patagonia’s windswept plains and Greenland’s pristine rivers to Northern Europe’s iconic salmon and trout waters, and even the untamed waters of Papua New Guinea.
Christer with a Patagonian Sea Trout during early testing of the 7120-6 model.
One major advantage of testing rods during the full season in Southern Patagonia is encountering every possible condition imaginable.
The stunning colors of Greenlandic Char.
This char, caught during the initial scouting of a new river for Solid Adventures, showcases the vibrant red and perfectly complements the black overgrip on our rod.
Tomas and Steini testing rods in Iceland.
During the development of the Hexa Handle, we dedicated countless hours to finding a way to make the blank work deeper into the handle compared to a traditional cork handle. Our challenge was to maintain both strength and durability without compromise, and it took longer than expected to find the magic combination of carbon shield and foam.
Rick testing the S1 SEA prototype in Papua New Guinea, early 2023.
Here, Rick is working the waves of a reef where we found plenty of smaller GTs and bluefin trevally. This was one of our first field tests of the yet-to-be-released S1 SEA models.
First saltwater trip with the Hexa AWS Overgrip.
On one of our first extended saltwater trips with the Hexa AWS Overgrip, we gathered valuable feedback on its performance and durability. Also, we just really like this photo.
Caught on the nearly-final version of the 7120-6.
This fish was landed using the almost-ready-to-launch 7120-6 rod. If you look closely, this version features a Hexa Handle with double overgrips for an ultra-soft feel and an early prototype of the lower butt section.
David testing a spey rod prototype.
One of our rod designers, David, is putting an early stage prototype through its paces in Greenland. We normally fish this river with single hand rods but during high water conditions a light spey rod is perfect.
Felix testing two versions of the S1 696-5 in Greenland.
Felix is heading out to test two different versions of the S1 696-5 on the Searun Arctic Char in Greenland. Known for their fierce fighting, these char are the perfect test for how the rod handles during a battle and landing of the fish.
A stunning fish from Las Buitreras on the approved S1 8130-6.
This sea trout measured 88 cm and was estimated at 18 lbs. For those with keen eyes, the Hexa Handle on this rod features double overgrips, providing a super-soft and comfortable grip for long days on the water.
Gathering feedback was crucial during the development process.
Having as many anglers as possible test the rods was key to gathering feedback across different casting styles, skill levels, and preferences. While we know it’s impossible to please everyone, the feedback we received was invaluable.
Testing rods and reels in Lapland, June 2024.
During a week in Lapland, northern Sweden, we tested rods and reels on grayling and pike. This particular fish broke the 1-meter mark by a couple of centimeters, and while it didn’t put up the biggest fight, its wild take—with the entire fish leaping out of the water to inhale the fly—was rather spectacular.
Playing with the final version of the S1 590-4 in Lapland.
There are plenty of 590 rods on the market, so we knew from the start that ours had to be something truly special. After what felt like endless micro-adjustments, we’ve crafted what we believe is the best 590 ever made. A bold statement, but one we stand by.
Camp manager and guide Lawson and his best friend testing prototypes in Greenland.
During a day off, Lawson and his trusty companion took some time to test our rod and reel prototypes in the stunning landscapes of Two River Valley in Greenland.
Working the outer reef in Papua New Guinea, chasing GTs.
Fishing the outer reef at an atoll in PNG, hoping to hook an angry GT. While no big fish were landed on this drift, we did catch several Bluefin Trevally. Earlier that morning, we encountered a massive school of hunting GTs on the flats—an unforgettable sight.
Jesper exploring Solid Adventures' new destination in Greenland, Two River Valley.
The scenery in Greenland is indescribable, but this photo does it some justice. The biggest challenge when fishing here? Deciding which rod to use. Anything from a 5-weight to an 8-weight is suitable. Jesper is fishing with the final prototype of the S1 590-4 Hexa Grip version.