Orvis 8 ft. Traveler 4/1

[Flyman615]

Orvis made a few--very few--bamboo 'travel' rods in the early 1960s. They were made only in 8, 8 1/2 and 9 ft. lengths. The "Travelers" were normally four piece, one-tip rods unless specially ordered with two tips. The Travelers were Battenkill grade with the standard Orvis grip and d/l reel seats with blued ferrules.

I've been looking for an 8-foot Traveler for years. They are extremely scarce. I finally found one this month.

Ferrules are 18/13/9. The impregnated rod weighs 4 7/8 oz. The tube label recommends a 7 wt. line, but in my estimation, no way. I've been casting it most successfully with a DT-5-F and will also try a WF-6-F. The tube is but 25" long. According to the serial number and Greg's database my 'new' Traveler was built in late 1963.



Scott Z.

[NewUtahCaneAngler]

Thanks for sharing, Scott. I'm pleased to learn that someone here won that auction.

Cheers,
Joe

[moregrayling]

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[NewUtahCaneAngler]

The 7' was a Pack Rod and came in both Fly (for just a few years) and Fly and Spin (for a bit longer). Both versions came with 2-tips, while the Traveler rods came with just a single tip as pointed out by Scott.

[moregrayling]

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[NewUtahCaneAngler]

Well, as they are both 4-piece ... It's probably because I am a non native English speaker, that I do not grasp the difference between "traveler rod" and "pack rod".

Sorry that I chimed in.

No need to be sorry, I'm just pointing out the difference between what Orvis cataloged as a Pack Rod and a Traveler Rod

[Flyman615]

The "Travelers" were indeed a distinct model in the '60s...different from the Orvis "Pack" as Joe pointed out.

Just to confuse things a bit further, here's a 7'3" unlisted/unmarked 4/2 "Pack" perhaps made as a 1980s Orvis prototype that never made it into production. It is similar to the Orvis "125" of that time. (I've posted it before here on the Forum.)



Scott Z.

[fishbates]

I’ve owned a few
Great rods
Just too many rods to fish
Sold them all
But yes very rare
D

[Flyman615]

Tried a WF-6-F today. Works much better than the DT-5-F, IMHO.

Scott Z.

[teter]

Well, as they are both 4-piece ... It's probably because I am a non native English speaker, that I do not grasp the difference between "traveler rod" and "pack rod".

Sorry that I chimed in.

Totally understandable, Moregrayling. Both are "pack rods." In this case, Pack and Traveler are also Orvis's model names.