Orvis Pack Rods

[Trout120-1]

What did Orvis make more of - the 6 1/2 ' bamboo pack rod or the 7'0' pack rod. I believe they're both kind of rare ?
Thanks in advance.

[NewUtahCaneAngler]

They only made a 7' pack rod. The 6 1/2' 3-piece is the Rocky Mountain, which was made for decades, vs the 4-piece Pack Rod for just a few years. The Pack Rod is a much rarer rod.

Cheers,
Joe

[Flyman615]

Well, not quite. Don't say "only"!

Here's an Orvis 7' 3" Pack prototype, 4/2, made much later, but never introduced into production. That said, it's a real sweetheart and missed opportunity, IMHO.



Scott

[Trout120-1]

What a beauty !

[Trout120-1]

I guess the Rocky Mountain wasn't considered a Pack Rod ? It has a beautiful taper.

[Greg Reynolds]

I guess the Rocky Mountain wasn't considered a Pack Rod ? It has a beautiful taper.

It's a pack rod...

[NewUtahCaneAngler]

I really like the Rocky Mountain, but the broken down size is still significantly longer than the longer 7' ... or 7'3" pack rods ☺

[ibookje]

How does the Rocky Mountain compare to the Seven/Four as in action? I know that the RM is for a 5/6 weight. The Seven/Four’s action Is relatively soft.

[St Vrain Angler]

I love my Seven/Four, but I'd call it "full-flexing" as opposed to "soft." Regardless, the Rocky Mountain is more powerful--it will put out a lot of line when needed and it roll casts beautifully. In fact, the action reminds me of my parabolic rods. And unlike the Seven/Four, which is a true 4wt, it's a fun rod to cast and fish with a 5WF, 5DT, or 6WF line.

[NewUtahCaneAngler]

Orvis listed the Rocky Mountain as a fast action, but like St Vrain Angler, I really like both and find the Rocky Mountain to be a more a full flexing medium. My Rocky Mountain will never get sold - except perhaps by my heirs.

[ibookje]

Got too many rods but maybe a RM should come here one day

[NewUtahCaneAngler]

This post needs more photos

[norcal_1]

In the tape exchange section of the forum (that others may not frequent), I posted a long thread concerning an experimental 5'5 3 piece, 4 wt Orvis pack rod I found and purchased a few years back that casts really nicely for it's diminutive size. It feels a lot like a pack rod version of a PHY Midge. Jeff Hatton/ Gnome was kind enough to mic the rod and create a detailed rod map so we could share the taper and preserve it. That thread now has 30,000 views and many successful projects completed from the rod map.

a size comparison of the 3 piece 5'5 Orvis experimental pack rod vs an Orvis 3 piece 7/4 on top of it

[flyfishermann1955]

Got too many rods...........

Be careful; crazy statements like this are not allowed!

Tight Lines- Ken

[Art51252]

I guess the Rocky Mountain wasn't considered a Pack Rod ? It has a beautiful taper.

It's a pack rod...

I have an extremely rare Orvis Pack rod 4/2 that was finished on December 25, 1944. It was not in the catalog and has no serial number. It has the owners name inked on it and is a gift from a father to his son.

[NewUtahCaneAngler]

Art,

What is the length of your early Pack Rod?

The "named/cataloged" pack rod is from the early seventies. Your rod should be added to the scarce Orvis thread started by Scott Z.

Cheers,
Joe

[Art51252]

Art,

What is the length of your early Pack Rod?

The "named/cataloged" pack rod is from the early seventies. Your rod should be added to the scarce Orvis thread started by Scott Z.

Cheers,
Joe

Joe, my 1944 Pack Rod is 4 piece with 2 tips and is 7' 6". It comes in an original Orvis Synthane tube. It is marked on one flat with: "Bakelite Impregnated" Next flat " Manchester Vermont", December 25, 1944. It has the signature downlocking reel seat with the Orvis Maker writing on it.

[barnesspecial6]

I haven’t read anyone listing a Traveler as being a Pack Rod. Mine is an 8’ 4/1 HCH Bamboo with the total length of the tube measuring 25 and 1/8” in length, I consider it a Pack Rod, it fits in a side cover on my Harley Electraglide

[Flyman615]

I haven’t read anyone listing a Traveler as being a Pack Rod. Mine is an 8’ 4/1 HCH Bamboo with the total length of the tube measuring 25 and 1/8” in length, I consider it a Pack Rod, it fits in a side cover on my Harley Electraglide

I agree. Overall, there weren't many Travelers made. Although they have been discussed in several other threads over the years. Mine is an 8'6" and also a 4/1. The tube is 27 3/4" long. Though also rated for a 7 wt., I use it with a 6. I don't have an Electraglide, but mine fits easily into my 1973.5 Porsche 911T Targa.


Scott

[Flyman615]

Well, not quite. Don't say "only"!

Here's an Orvis 7' 3" Pack prototype, 4/2, made much later, but never introduced into production. That said, it's a real sweetheart and missed opportunity, IMHO.



Scott

When I recently received an early 1980s "C.F. Orvis 125" (see post in Unusual Orvis thread) it became apparent that this little unmarked 4/2 Orvis 'mystery' rod had several 125 attributes including the maple reel seat and bright ferrules. Thus, one might surmise that the 7'3" 'Pack' may have been assembled during development and marketing of the 125s (1981-1985).

Scott Z.