Smallest Orvis CFO reel

[Trout120-1]

What was the smallest Orvis CFO Made in England reel ?
Thanks

[Greg Reynolds]

The CFO II at 2 9/16-inches.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

CFO II size = mighty small





Mitey Mite fly rod - https://www.google.com/search?q=mitey+m ... e&ie=UTF-8

[High Desert]

This reel was generally mated to the 7’ 9” Far and Fine rod with a DT2F line and maybe 50 yards of 12# Dacron backing.

[G-ManBart]

This reel was generally mated to the 7’ 9” Far and Fine rod with a DT2F line and maybe 50 yards of 12# Dacron backing.

You have your model names mixed up. The 7' 9" 2wt is the Ultra Fine, not the Far and Fine which is a 5wt rod (I have both).

In various Orvis catalogs Orvis paired the CFO II with the graphite Flea, One-Weight, 5-by-5, fiberglass Golden Eagle 6 1/2", bamboo 7/3, bamboo 7/4, and Flea. I can't find them pairing it with anything over 7' long. The catalogs I have pair the Ultra Fine with an EXR reel, not the CFO II.

[Tommasini]

The English made reels were produced for Orvis by Hardy and BFR . The one pictured above is of BFR manufacture.

[Lupalupa]

From left to right for comparission

BFR CFO I | Hardy CFO II | Abel CFO II | BFR CFO 123 | Hardy CFO III

I am surprised how small the Hardy CFO II is compared to the Abel CFO II



I have a Hardy CFO IV but there wasn't room in the photo, I can figure out how to add it if you all wish

[Brian K. Shaffer]

What a beautiful lineup you have there ~ very nice!

To note especially that little screwback CFO II - what a peach!

[G-ManBart]

I am surprised how small the Hardy CFO II is compared to the Abel CFO II

As nice as they are, I don't see how Orvis called the Abel version a "II"....it's clearly a much larger reel and really should have been a 123. The BFR and Hardy versions were essentially identical in size. They didn't do that with the Abel III version so it doesn't make much sense.

[Lupalupa]

As nice as they are, I don't see how Orvis called the Abel version a "II"....it's clearly a much larger reel and really should have been a 123. The BFR and Hardy versions were essentially identical in size. They didn't do that with the Abel III version so it doesn't make much sense.

I was very surprised how small it was. I was expecting something like the Able CFO II. There is a reason I have not put a line on this reel. I have no purpose for it .... yet

[Lupalupa]

What a beautiful lineup you have there ~ very nice!

To note especially that little screwback CFO II - what a peach!

Thank you very much. I am now half on the lookout for a screwback III. I just don't want to pay money for it, I need to overcome that hurdle first

[G-ManBart]

Here's a lineup of all Hardy CFOs...not all exactly the same vintage, but close enough. I foolishly sold my VI and a couple of screw backs when the prices went nuts on them. My wife doesn't read on here so I can say this isn't all I have stashed

This is II, 123, III, IV and V. I did a closeup of the II, 123 and III to show how much difference there really is between them. Lastly, I put the II in its natural element, mounted on a Superfine One-Weight.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

hey Gman - that 5 reel shot is in the running for CFO Photo of the Year - Congrats!

CFO VI
4 1/4" diameter
8 3/4 oz.
350 yards of #20 backing