Last Updated on August 28, 2026 by Daniel Globe
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Starting fly fishing is easier when the rod, reel, line, backing, and leader are already matched for the same job. The Redington Original Freshwater Kit 590-4 gives you a 9-foot, 5-weight, 4-piece medium-fast rod with a Crosswater 4/5/6 reel, RIO Mainstream WF5F line, and a protective nylon case. It is a strong fit for new trout anglers who want a complete setup without choosing every component separately. Its main tradeoff is focus: this 5-weight version is built around freshwater trout fishing, so it is not the best choice for large fish, heavy flies, or regular saltwater use.
Quick Verdict
Rating: Recommended with caveats
Best For: Beginner and intermediate freshwater anglers who want a matched 5-weight trout setup.
Bottom Line: The 590-4 combines a forgiving medium-fast rod, a practical Crosswater reel, and beginner-friendly RIO line in one travel-ready kit. Choose something heavier if you expect large flies, powerful fish, or frequent saltwater fishing.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Redington |
| Model | Original Freshwater Kit 590-4 |
| Product type | Fly rod and reel combo kit |
| Rod length | 9 feet |
| Line weight | 5WT |
| Pieces | 4 |
| Rod action | Medium-fast |
| Rod material | Graphite blank |
| Reel seat | Anodized aluminum |
| Reel | Crosswater 4/5/6 with durable composite frame and carbon disc drag |
| Fly line | RIO Mainstream WF5F floating line |
| Backing | Dacron backing |
| Leader | RIO Powerflex tapered leader |
| Case | Durable nylon rod-and-reel carrying case |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty |
What Is the Redington Original Freshwater Kit 590-4?
The Redington Original Freshwater Kit 590-4 is a complete 5-weight fly fishing outfit built around trout and general freshwater use. The rod is 9 feet long, breaks into four pieces, and uses a medium-fast action that is designed to help you feel the rod load while still giving you enough line speed for common trout presentations.
The kit pairs that rod with Redington’s Crosswater 4/5/6 reel, a composite-framed reel with a carbon disc drag. It also includes RIO Mainstream WF5F floating line, Dacron backing, a tapered leader, and a nylon carrying case that can hold the rod and reel together. That matched package removes several setup decisions that can confuse a first-time fly angler.
Before You Buy: The specifications in this review are for the Original Freshwater Kit 590-4, the 9-foot 5WT version. Redington also sells an 8WT All Water version. Confirm the selected variant before checkout because the heavier kit is intended for different species and applications.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- New fly anglers who want a rod, reel, line, backing, and leader that are already matched.
- Trout anglers who want a versatile 9-foot 5WT for dry flies, nymphs, and modest streamers.
- Traveling anglers who value a four-piece rod and a case that holds the rod and reel.
Skip If
- You mainly target large salmon, pike, striped bass, or other fish better suited to a heavier outfit.
- You expect frequent saltwater use and want a setup designed around that environment.
- You want a metal reel or a longer warranty as a top priority.
Rod Design and Casting Performance
The 590-4 rod uses a 9-foot, 5-weight, four-piece layout with medium-fast action. That is a common all-around trout configuration because the length gives you useful line control while the 5WT rating stays light enough for typical freshwater presentations. The graphite blank keeps the rod responsive without making the setup overly specialized.
For a beginner, the medium-fast action is one of the kit’s strongest features. It gives you more feedback than a very stiff fast-action rod, which can make it easier to learn timing and develop a smooth casting stroke. At the same time, it still has enough reserve for common nymph rigs, dry-dropper setups, buggers, and moderate wind.
The limit is also clear. A 5WT is not designed to be your do-everything rod for heavy saltwater flies or large, powerful fish. If that is your main use, Redington’s 8WT All Water version is the more logical direction.
Pro Tip: When you are learning, start with shorter casts and focus on smooth acceleration and a firm stop. The WF5F Mainstream line uses a beginner-friendly head design that helps the rod load without requiring you to carry a long length of line in the air.
Reel, Drag, and Fly Line
The Crosswater 4/5/6 reel uses a durable composite frame and a carbon disc drag. That combination keeps the kit practical for freshwater use while giving you an adjustable drag system for fighting trout and similar species. It is not a premium machined-aluminum reel, but that is not what this package is trying to be.
The RIO Mainstream WF5F line is a weight-forward floating line designed for general fly fishing and newer casters. Its head is slightly heavier and shorter than some technical lines, which helps the rod load sooner and can make short to medium casts easier to feel. Dacron backing and a tapered leader complete the basic line system.
For a beginner, the advantage is compatibility. You do not need to research line weight, reel size, backing, and leader separately before your first trip. The parts are chosen to work together around the 5WT rod.
Travel Case and Kit Components
The four-piece rod breaks down into shorter sections for transport, and the included nylon carrying case is built to hold both the rod and reel. The case also has a carry handle and a reinforced end cap, giving the setup useful protection in a vehicle, closet, or travel bag.
Inside the system, you get the 590-4 rod, Crosswater 4/5/6 reel, RIO Mainstream WF5F line, Dacron backing, tapered leader, and protective case. The package is close to ready for fishing, but you still need your flies and normal streamside tools.
How It Performs in Real Use
For Learning to Cast
The medium-fast rod and WF5F line are a sensible pairing for learning basic overhead casts and roll casts. You get enough feedback to feel the rod load, and the 9-foot length gives you a useful platform for line control once you move from practice to a river.
For Trout Streams and Rivers
This is where the 590-4 makes the most sense. A 5WT can cover many dry-fly, nymph, dry-dropper, and smaller streamer situations without feeling excessively heavy. The 9-foot length also helps when you need to mend line and manage a drift across current.
For Wind and Heavier Flies
The Mainstream line is designed to load the rod efficiently and help cut through moderate wind, but there are practical limits. Large weighted streamers, oversized indicators, and very windy conditions can push a 5WT beyond its comfortable range. In those situations, moving to a heavier rod is usually better than forcing the 5WT.
For Travel and Storage
The four-piece design is easy to pack compared with a two-piece rod, and the rod-and-reel case reduces the need to separate the reel every time you move the outfit. That makes the kit convenient for road trips and general travel.
Setup and Use Tips
Assemble the rod sections by aligning the guides and seating each ferrule firmly without forcing it. Check the sections again during the day because repeated casting can sometimes let a ferrule loosen. Mount the reel securely, thread the fly line through every guide, connect the tapered leader, and add a fly that matches your local water and target species.
When you are done, avoid putting the kit away wet for long periods. Let the line, reel, and case dry before storage, and keep sand and grit away from the reel and ferrules. If you fish around dirty or brackish water, rinse the reel and hardware with clean fresh water and dry them before packing the outfit.
Care, Safety, and Maintenance
Fly hooks move quickly during a cast, so protect your eyes and give other people enough room when you practice or fish. Check your leader for damage and replace weakened sections before they fail during a fish fight.
The freshwater 590-4 should also be used within its intended range. Do not treat the 5WT as a heavy-duty big-game outfit. Choosing a rod weight that matches the fish, fly size, and water type improves control and reduces unnecessary strain on the rod and leader.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 9-foot 5WT medium-fast rod covers many common trout presentations.
- Matched Crosswater reel, backing, RIO line, and leader reduce setup guesswork.
- Carbon disc drag gives the composite reel a practical fish-fighting system.
- Four-piece rod is easier to pack and travel with.
- Nylon rod-and-reel case protects the complete outfit between trips.
Cons
- The 5WT freshwater version is not the right tool for heavy saltwater or large-fish duty.
- The composite reel is less premium than the metal reels found on some step-up outfits.
- The 1-year warranty is shorter than the coverage offered by some competing brands.
Is It Worth the Price?
The Redington Original Freshwater Kit sits in the mid-range starter-outfit category rather than the cheapest entry-level tier. The value comes from getting a known-brand rod, a matched reel and line system, a tapered leader, backing, and a travel case in one package.
It is a strong value for the price if you want to start trout fishing with a complete 5WT setup and avoid replacing weak components immediately. It is less compelling if you already own a good reel and line, or if your priority is a premium metal reel, a long warranty, or a heavier all-water rod.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Orvis Clearwater Outfit is worth comparing if you want a more premium step-up and place high value on a much longer warranty. The TFO NXT Black Label Kit is another 9-foot 5WT option and may appeal if you prefer a different reel construction or rod feel.
The Redington Original 590-4 makes the most sense when you want an easy-casting, medium-fast trout outfit with RIO line and a compact four-piece travel setup, without moving into the higher price tier of more premium outfits.
User Experience and Customer Feedback
Buyer feedback around the Redington Original kit commonly highlights ease of use, the matched setup, and its suitability for getting started. That fits the product design: the rod, reel, line, backing, leader, and case are selected as one system instead of a collection of unrelated parts.
Still, treat customer feedback as context rather than proof that the kit will suit every angler. Your water type, target species, fly size, casting style, and preference for rod action matter more than a general rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Redington Original 590-4 good for beginners?
Yes. The medium-fast rod, WF5F floating line, matched reel, backing, and leader remove much of the component-matching work that can confuse a first-time fly angler. The 5WT format is also widely useful for trout.
What exactly is included in the kit?
The 590-4 kit includes the 9-foot 5WT four-piece rod, Crosswater 4/5/6 reel, RIO Mainstream WF5F floating line, Dacron backing, tapered leader, and a durable nylon carrying case designed for the rod and reel.
Can the 5WT Freshwater Kit be used for saltwater fishing?
This 590-4 version is designed for freshwater trout use. Redington sells a separate 8WT All Water version for larger fish and inshore applications, so that is the better direction if saltwater is a major part of your fishing.
What warranty does the Redington Original kit have?
The current Redington product information lists a 1-year warranty for the Original kit. That is shorter than the lifetime coverage previously claimed in some older or inaccurate descriptions, so use the current manufacturer terms when making your decision.
What fish is a 9-foot 5WT setup best for?
A 9-foot 5WT is best suited to trout and similar freshwater fishing where you use dry flies, nymphs, dry-dropper rigs, and modest streamers. It is not the ideal choice for very large flies or heavy big-fish applications.
How should you maintain the reel and rod?
Keep grit out of the reel and ferrules, let the line and case dry before storage, and rinse dirty hardware with clean fresh water when needed. Check that the rod sections stay seated during a long day of casting.
Should an experienced angler buy this kit?
It can still work well as a grab-and-go trout outfit, backup rod, or travel setup. Experienced anglers who already know they prefer a faster rod, premium metal reel, or specialized line may get more value from choosing components separately.
What should you check before ordering?
Confirm that the selected listing is the 590-4 Freshwater Kit with a 9-foot 5WT four-piece rod if those are the specifications you want. Also review the current seller details and manufacturer warranty terms before checkout.
The Bottom Line
The Redington Original Freshwater Kit 590-4 is a well-matched trout setup for beginners and intermediate anglers who want a 9-foot 5WT rod, Crosswater reel, RIO line, backing, leader, and travel case in one package. Its main strengths are the medium-fast casting feel and complete matched system, while its biggest limits are the freshwater 5WT focus, composite reel, and 1-year warranty. Skip it if you need a heavier all-water outfit or premium component construction from the start.
