New Orvis Fly Rods for 2011

Saltwater Access

Access Rod Series

For their new mid-priced Access series, Orvis looked at the high-cure thermoplastic resin technology used in their Helios and Hydros rods and applied what they learned to create a new epoxy-based resin which uses small amounts of thermoplasters.  This new type of epoxy-based resin allowed them to use a lower aerial weight of graphite, as well as less graphite overall.  This process is less expensive than the high-cure thermoplastic resin technology used in the Helios and Hydros, resulting in a fly rod with high-end characteristics at a mid-range price point.

Freshwater Access

The Access rods are broken up into two groups: Freshwater and Saltwater.  The main difference between the two is that the Saltwater Access rods are equipped with a saltwater reel seat and a cork-and-EVA foam fighting butt.

Freshwater Access rods will be available in line weights 3 through 6, and available in either 2 or 4 pieces for only $350.  These rods weigh only 2 to 2 5/8 ounces depending on size.

Saltwater Access rods are available from 6- through 12-weight, in 4 pieces only.  At an MSRP of $375, you get a rod that weighs between 2 3/4 and 5 1/2 ounces.

Superfine Touch

Superfine Touch Rod Series

For 2011, Orvis went back to the drawing board on its classic Superfine Rod Series.  Despite the fact that most fishing situations occur with less than 45 feet between the fly angler and a feeding fish, most fly rods typically cast at their best with 45 to 60 feet of line out.  The newly redesigned Superfine Touch rods from Orvis were designed to cast at their maximum efficiency with 15 to 30 feet of fly line out from the rod tip.  In fact, during testing, I found that consistent, accurate casts were possible with just the leader and about a foot of line out — a quality I really missed the next time out with my own gear.

The new Superfine Touch rods are a full-flex graphite rod.  The rod’s slow action tends to open up your loops a little bit if you’re used to a medium- to fast-action rod, but this is more of a benefit when fishing with an indicator rig or a dry/dropper setup.

Like the Access Rod Series, the Superfine Touch rods are impregnated with Orvis’s new epoxy-based resin system with plasticizers for a toughened resin system, but the rod’s weight drops to a level not before possible at this price point, says the company.  Superfine Touch rods are available in either 3 or 4 pieces for most models, in 0- through 6-weight.  MSRP is $495. Click here to see Tom Rosenbauer from Orvis talk about the new Superfine fly rods with MidCurrent at the International Fly Tackle Dealer show in Denver.

Two New Helios Switch Rod Sizes Added

In other Orvis rod news, there are two new sizes available for the Helios Switch Rods, an 11′ 9wt, and an 11′ 10wt.  Both models come in 4 pieces and retail for $850.

The new Orvis rods will be available sometime in January of 2011.  You can purchase them from Orvis’s Web site, or from your local Orvis dealer.