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Updated
Shopping for an Orvis fly rod? Check out this list of our independent experts' top most recommended Orvis rods. Then don't forget to talk to a Fly Fishing expert to receive personalized recommendations on the best rod for your next adventure.
By Fishing ExpertsJJ, John, Elijah and others
The Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod is a top-notch choice for both beginners and intermediate anglers. Its moderate fast action is forgiving for beginners, yet offers enough precision for more experienced users. This rod is particularly suited for throwing streamers or bass bugs, and excels in medium casting ranges. It's also a solid choice for light saltwater applications. The rod's durability and Orvis' 25-year warranty make it a reliable choice. However, it's not the best for throwing nymphs or dries or for short casts.
by Curated experts Joseph Smith, Matt Beam, John T.
Ideal for
- Beginner to intermediate anglers
- Throwing streamers or bass bugs
- Medium casting ranges
- Light saltwater applications
- Anglers who value a long-term warranty
Not ideal for
- Throwing nymphs or dries
- Short casts
- Heavy line and big streamers
- Anglers who are concerned about wrist fatigue
The Orvis Recon® Fly Rod is a seasoned angler's dream, offering a versatile, high-quality experience that's built to last. This rod is perfect for those who value a single, high-quality item that they can use for decades. It's lightweight, accurate, and has a high-performance taper, making it ideal for all-around trout fishing and even light tackle bass fishing. It handles big flies in the wind and offers a delicate presentation with the smallest of dry flies. The rod is built using the technology from Orvis Helios rods, their highest-end trout blanks, and comes with a 25-year guarantee. It's also great for accuracy at long distances, with enough backbone to control freshwater brutes like bass, carp, and musky.
by Curated experts Jacob Jesionek, Baily Dent, Matt Beam
Ideal for
- Seasoned anglers
- All-around trout fishing
- Light tackle bass fishing
- Accuracy at long distances
- Controlling freshwater brutes like bass, carp, and musky
Not ideal for
- Specialized utility
- Larger bonefish and permit
- Saltwater fishing without proper care
The Orvis Helios™ 3D Fly Rod is a top-tier choice for experienced anglers seeking to add distance and accuracy to their casts. Its design allows for long, precise casts, even in strong winds, and is perfect for targeting larger game fish. The rod's strength and fast action performance make it ideal for casting big flies long distances, while its lightweight nature reduces arm fatigue. Despite its power, it maintains a delicate feel, making it easy for beginners to get their cast dialed in. However, this rod may not be suitable for delicate, short-range casting or for those who prefer a more robust rod.
by Curated experts Joseph Smith, Baily Dent, Jesi Scott
Ideal for
- Experienced anglers seeking to add distance and accuracy to their casts
- Casting big flies long distances
- Targeting larger game fish
- Anglers who prefer a lightweight rod to reduce arm fatigue
- Beginners who want to feel the rod load and get their cast dialed in
Not ideal for
- Delicate, short-range casting
- Those who prefer a more robust rod
- Finer presentation of dry flies
What is your level of fly fishing experience?
The Orvis Clearwater® 6-Piece Fly Rod is a highly recommended choice for both beginners and seasoned fly fishers. Its length and power make it ideal for controlling drifts and reaching far banks, and it can handle big bass with ease. This versatile rod can tackle a wide range of challenges, from small dries to streamers and wind. It's also budget-friendly, allowing you to pair it with a high-quality reel for a top-notch setup. While it's not as fast-acting as some luxury rods, it's perfect for any trout in North America and excels at shorter ranges. However, it's not suitable for saltwater fishing or larger saltwater fish.
by Curated experts Rob F., Andrew Pfaffinger, Tellan Lloyd
Ideal for
- Controlling drifts
- Reaching far banks
- Handling big bass
- Small to medium-sized fish
- Shorter range casting
Not ideal for
- Fast action casting
- Saltwater fishing
- Catching larger saltwater fish
The Orvis Helios™ 3F Fly Rod is a versatile and powerful tool, perfect for the seasoned angler. Its lightweight design and high accuracy make it ideal for hunting big predatory fish like pike and all species of trout. It's also great for dry flies, nymphing, and throwing smaller to medium-sized streamers. However, it's not recommended for aggressive game or small streams and flies. This rod is a bit too sensitive and fast for the unseasoned angler, but it's a great rod to grow into and can be used in a variety of environments, from streams to salt water.
by Curated experts Matt Beam, JJ Miller, Jake Gronholz
Ideal for
- Seasoned anglers
- Hunting big predatory fish like pike
- Fishing all species of trout
- Dry flies and nymphing
- Throwing smaller to medium-sized streamers
Not ideal for
- Unseasoned anglers
- Aggressive game
- Small streams and flies
The Orvis Clearwater® Two-Handed Fly Rod is a top pick for 2023, particularly for steelheading. This two-handed switch rod is praised for its medium action that handles small streams with finesse. It has the balance and power to manage both small dry flies and large streamers, making it a versatile choice for any fly fisher.
by Curated experts Dave Forbes, Zachary Symm, Eric Schlobohm
Ideal for
- Steelheading
- Swinging flies or nymph with ease
- Handling small streams
- Managing small dry flies and large streamers
The Orvis Superfine Glass Fly Rod is a top choice for seasoned anglers, especially those who frequent small, wild streams. Its medium action and glass construction improve casting accuracy and protect smaller tippets, making it perfect for fishing for picky trout. The rod's forgivingness and ease of casting make it a standout in the Orvis lineup. It's also a great choice for sight casting in flats or salmon streams. This rod is a nod to fly fishing's 'Golden Age', offering a timeless, generational appeal that's consistently awarded '#1 Glass Rod'.
by Curated experts Elijah Saint Blancard, joshua parke, Thomas Spratt
Ideal for
- Seasoned anglers
- Small, wild stream fishing
- Fishing for picky trout
- Sight casting in flats or salmon streams
- Anglers who appreciate classic, durable gear
Not ideal for
- Fishing for smaller species
- Roll casting
- Long-distance casting
Orvis Mission Fly Rod
$798.00
The Orvis Mission Fly Rod is a top-tier choice for dedicated Spey anglers, particularly those seeking an upscale set-up in terms of performance and features. It's ideal for larger fish like salmon, thanks to its 15-foot, 6-piece design. However, it's not suited for small streams, rivers, or Euro-Nymphing.
by Curated experts Mike M., Chris B
Ideal for
- Dedicated Spey angling
- Fishing for larger species like salmon
- Anglers seeking high-end performance and features
Not ideal for
- Small streams and rivers
- Euro-Nymphing
Other lists to consider
Curated experts can help
Have a question about the article you just read or want personal recommendations? Connect with a Curated expert to find exactly what you are looking for!Result Summary
- Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
- Orvis Recon® Fly Rod
- Orvis Helios™ 3D Fly Rod
- Orvis Clearwater® 6-Piece Fly Rod
- Orvis Helios™ 3F Fly Rod
- Orvis Clearwater® Two-Handed Fly Rod
- Orvis Superfine Glass Fly Rod
- Orvis Mission Fly Rod
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