Hi Everyone,
I'm mostly just "publicly celebrating" my first Orvis rod purchase. I had been looking to buy a Battenkill, but the opportunity came to get an Orvis Madison at what I felt was a pretty good price. I paid $300 for the rod (with tube and bag). The seller said its a slower action rod and protected tippets well. The rod is 2/1. 6'6" 4wt. weighting 2 3/8 ounces.
Here's a few questions if anyone cares to chime in:
My understanding is that this a low level Orvis. What are the differences between this and a Battenkill (beside that fact this comes with just 1 tip)?
Is there a "taper" that this compares to, or that has name? (flea, midge, etc.)
Although I bought the rod to fish, not to buy-and-sell, I'm curious what the market value might be (assuming the rod is in "very-good" condition). I assumed around $400, or perhaps just a little more.
Any thoughts are appreciated! -Mark
Orvis Madison purchase (pic corr.)
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- DireWolf53
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Re: Orvis Madison purchase
#2Congratulations Mark,
You have yourself a fine rod. The Madison line of rods were basically one tip Battenkills. Sometimes the cane had a few surface imperfections but the rods themselves were built to the same std as the Battenkill rods. Your rod corresponds to a Deluxe or Superfine of the same size.
I think you'll find it fishes well with a 4 or 5wt line. I'll let others with a better idea chime in with an idea of the current value of the rod. That being said (IMHO) there isn't a glass or graphite rod out there there compares to your rod at the price you paid for it.
Enjoy your new rod.
Paul
You have yourself a fine rod. The Madison line of rods were basically one tip Battenkills. Sometimes the cane had a few surface imperfections but the rods themselves were built to the same std as the Battenkill rods. Your rod corresponds to a Deluxe or Superfine of the same size.
I think you'll find it fishes well with a 4 or 5wt line. I'll let others with a better idea chime in with an idea of the current value of the rod. That being said (IMHO) there isn't a glass or graphite rod out there there compares to your rod at the price you paid for it.
Enjoy your new rod.
Paul
"I am not against golf, since I cannot but suspect it keeps armies of the unworthy from discovering trout." - Paul O'Neil
- Greg Reynolds
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Re: Orvis Madison purchase
#3It's the Madison grade version of the "Flea" model. If it weighs 2 3/8-oz, it's the MCL (Madison Cork Locking) variant. I like the MCL rods quite a bit because of their light weight.
The only real difference between it and the high-grade "Flea" is the reel seat and having 1 tip. Orvis used cosmetically blemished bamboo for the lower grade rods, but you're not likely to notice.
A copy & paste from my notes:
"The 6 1/2-foot, 2-oz, 10/64-ferrule Flea has a slow-action taper for 4-weight synthetic lines. It was designed by Wes Jordan in collaboration with Bud Frasca of William Mills & Son in New York City. It was introduced in the 1967 catalog and made through 1992.
During its production, it was also offered in Madison (1969-1992, variously with walnut or cork-locking reel seats) and “125” (1982-1985) grades. The Flea was re-released in a special high-grade limited-edition in 2007 and cataloged through 2009."
The price you paid is lower than I'd expect--they're a desirable model.
Get back to me with the serial number after you receive it, and I'll add it to my database
Best regards,
Greg
The only real difference between it and the high-grade "Flea" is the reel seat and having 1 tip. Orvis used cosmetically blemished bamboo for the lower grade rods, but you're not likely to notice.
A copy & paste from my notes:
"The 6 1/2-foot, 2-oz, 10/64-ferrule Flea has a slow-action taper for 4-weight synthetic lines. It was designed by Wes Jordan in collaboration with Bud Frasca of William Mills & Son in New York City. It was introduced in the 1967 catalog and made through 1992.
During its production, it was also offered in Madison (1969-1992, variously with walnut or cork-locking reel seats) and “125” (1982-1985) grades. The Flea was re-released in a special high-grade limited-edition in 2007 and cataloged through 2009."
The price you paid is lower than I'd expect--they're a desirable model.
Get back to me with the serial number after you receive it, and I'll add it to my database
Best regards,
Greg
The Orvis Database: http://antiquerodandreels.com/databases/orvisdb
Re: Orvis Madison purchase (pic corr.)
#4Sorry, I originally had the wrong pictures attached (although these aren't too great either).
The serial number is 77822.
Thanks gents, great info!
The serial number is 77822.
Thanks gents, great info!
Re: Orvis Madison purchase (pic corr.)
#5According to Orvis, the ONLY difference between the Battenkill and Madison are purely cosmetic; the tapers are identical between the same model Battenkill and Madisons. Cosmetic blemishes are in the cane, NOT in the finished rods. I have seen Mdison rods with two factory tips, likely special order.
Last edited by wb4tjh on 02/01/21 18:04, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Orvis Madison purchase (pic corr.)
#6The only difference between my Battenkills and Madisons is in the latter having one or two blackish "water stains".
- Hellmtflies
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Re: Orvis Madison purchase (pic corr.)
#8Precisely! I like extra fungus on my pizza and casseroles, so why not a little on my fly rods?