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 Eperous |
Battenkills - 8 foot 5 weight |
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Posts: 109 10/27/2009 22:30 |
Did Orvis make an 8 foot 5 weight Battenkill? Most of the 8 footers that I've seen are 6 weight and up. All of the 5 weights I've seen are 7 1/2
foot, or shorter. Perhaps my vision is too narrow - did they build an 8 foot 5 weight Battenkill?
Thanks. Ed |
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Greg Reynolds |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 2024 10/27/2009 23:18 Orvis Database Founder |
Ed,
The 8-foot, 12/64-ferrule, 4 1/8-oz Battenkill is labeled for WF6, but is much better with a DT5. It has a slow action and is one of my favorites. They're obtainable, but much less common than the two medium action 13/64 Battenkill tapers labeled for 7-8 lines you're referring to Greg |
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Eperous |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 110 10/28/2009 08:31 |
Greg,
Thanks for the reply. I have two Battenkills - a 7 1/2 foot and 8 foot - and in both cases easily fish DT's one line size lighter - 5 and 6 respectively - than called for on the rods. Of my cane rods, I only fish weighted nymphs, with a pinch or two of BB split shot, on the Battenkills, but I don't do much false casting at all, if any. Sometimes more of a lob cast. I'd like to find another Battenkill - 8 for 5 weight - that would fill a fishing niche in the months of April, October, and November when I could be fishing dry flies, weighted nymphs, or streamers on any given day. Now, I'll be on the lookout for one. Thanks again. Ed |
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Slate Drake 9 |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 127 10/28/2009 09:28 |
Greg already gave you the answer I was going to. My 4 1/8 ounce 8 footer is a great 5 weight, even though it's marked for a 6.
I don't have one yet, but I believe the 8' 3/2 4 1/2 ounce Battenkill would also be a 5 weight, just heavier due to extra ferrule I guess. I'm sure someone here can confirm or deny.
Fishing with bait is like swearing in church.
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Booman2 |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 599 10/28/2009 13:41 |
The Orvis 8' 4 1/8 is also an all time favorite of mine with a #5 line on it. Mine also cast streamers well with a #6. They must be closely held as they
seldom come to market.
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Eperous |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 111 10/28/2009 14:25 |
Thanks.... interesting comments from apparently some Battenkill lovers.... I only tend to fish my two early and late season when I might be chucking streamers
or weight, but they also fish dry flies quite nicely and do just about anything I ask of them casting....
Here's a robust 15 1/2" Ashokan Reservoir run brown I caught/released on the Esopus Creek yesterday that put a nice bend in my 7 1/2 foot Battenkill fishing a small Black Conehead Woolly Bugger.. 
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Southbranch |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 495 10/29/2009 14:19 |
I have a 1950 vintage 8' 3/2 4.5 oz. Orvis and I think it is a bit underlined with 5 wt. line. I use WF6 or Sylk DT6 line on it.
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slate river |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 153 10/29/2009 15:07 |
Greg knows what he is talking about as the 8ft. 4 1/8 is definitely a 5wt. It was a bad mistake on my part to sell that rod. One of those deals one does that
in hindsight you always think about and wish you could reverse. I still have an 8ft. 4 3/8 Battenkill that is a true 6 wt. Works best for me with a WF 6
Wulff triangle taper.
Bob
Last Edited By: slate river 10/30/2009 20:32.
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blacknosedace |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 94 10/29/2009 18:04 |
This thread popped up at the right time for me. I have a chance to buy just the rod you're discussing. What would be a fair price for this rod in excellent
condition?
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Flykuni2 |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 164 10/29/2009 18:39 |
Thanks to this thread, $1200.
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PennsCreek |
Orvis 8' 5wt | #10 | ||
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Posts: 71 10/29/2009 19:58 |
I have an 8' 2/2 4 1/4oz. Battenkill #13 ferrule that likes a DT-5. The rod is in it's original tube with label however the label does not have a line weight designation. Very nice all purpose rod --- made 7/20/60.
Last Edited By: PennsCreek 10/30/2009 07:04.
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narcodog |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 287 10/30/2009 09:15 |
I just put new guides on a 13/64 that was given to me and was in bad shape. I was in Wy and Mt for eight weeks and fished that rod 90% of the time although I
had other Boo rods with me. It has become a favorite. I fished it with a WF 6 Sylk.
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gmflyfish |
Orvis Battenkill 8 foot slow action 5 wt | #12 | ||
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Posts: 1238 11/01/2009 10:25 |
This rod does not fit everyone's casting style. I love it - got two orvis rods - Linestone Special and the Battenkill 8 for a 5 - they are two of my
favorite rods and most trips one or the other of them are in the truck here in Montana.
Love'em or hate'em - I love the 8 foot slow action for streamer fishing it cannot be beat. IMHO Gregg |
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Greg Reynolds |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 2025 11/01/2009 11:20 Orvis Database Founder |
gmflyfish wrote:This is really true. I've had the opportunity to cast many 8-foot rods during outings with Mid-Atlantic forum members--Spruce, Rolf, Andre, Matt and the guys. They always bring a large number of great rods. The 8-foot, 12/64 Battenkill doesn't seem that slow until you compare it to others. It's very smooth and comfortable, but probably isn't the distance rod than some of the others are. However, I like it much better than a number of wildly popular faster tapers for the fishing I do. I wouldn't be without it. 
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Dewardian |
Orvis 8' . | #14 | ||
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Posts: 103 11/02/2009 12:54 |
Thanks for the infput on the Orvis 8' especially the ferrule size info and the photograph.
I recently acquired an Orvis 8' that has had a fairly rough life. Only one tip, no bag or tube. A little bit of corrosion and some loose guides. The ferrules are fine.... A nice testament to the fine production practices at Orvis at this time. It felt like a #5 and that's what I started out with...... just fine for dries, for streamers and night creatures a #6 will be better. Starting out it feels like a very nice fishing rod, the plan is to get it back to as original shape as I can. Peter |
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upstatetrout |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 281 11/03/2009 11:36 |
I have an 8 ft Orvis 99 with 13/64 ferrules.It weighs 4 3/8 ounces.It was given to me by my friend Ron who recently departed this life for streams in the
unknown.This rod was picked out for Ron
be Wes Jordan who also provided a 2nd tip for it.It is an exceptional 5 wt rod.Ron was for many years my friend and mentor in the Catskills.I am extremely grateful for his gifts of time, equipment and friendship. I have used the rod for the last couple of weeks and deeply miss my friend. Tom |
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cwfly |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 1123 11/03/2009 11:44 |
Tom,
It seems you have the comfort of your generous and close friend being alongside you with his gift. But your loss, nonetheless, sounds large. My condolences.
Charlie |
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Eperous |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 122 11/27/2009 18:57 |
First of all thanks for all responses to this inquiry...
Last Edited By: Eperous 11/27/2009 18:59.
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 czkid |
Orvis Casting School Rod | #18 | ||
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Posts: 4133 11/27/2009 19:27 Moderator |
The 8ft, 41/8 oz rod was for many years the Orvis School Rod. Mine is marked S-19 which indicates a school rod later sold thru the company. What everyone
else says is correct.... if I had to use one rod in the wilderness, this would be the puppy... or its 3/2 brother which I have.
Ralph |
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hopkintoncane |
My 4-1/8 oz 8 foot Battenkill | #19 | ||
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Posts: 495 11/27/2009 21:07 |
I just recieved the CFO IV reel and 2 spare spools (all lined) that was used for years by the gentleman who also owned the 4-1/8 oz I picked up from his
daughter this time last year, thus, re-uniting the original outfit he purchased in Vermont 25 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised when she called about 2
weeks ago, and told me she had found her dad's reel and spools, in his fishing vest. While I agree that the 12 ferrule rod can cast a 5, I now appreciate
and enjoy the slower action brought out with a 6 wt line (lines on the CFO and 2 spare spools, all 444 Peach floating, a DT, WF, and a sink tip) as described
in Greg's catalogue copy. I read a lot here about underlining Orvis rods, and I guess there's a lot of experience out there to back up the underlining
theory. I have noticed however, that with a shorter line pickup and well timed shooting, many Orvis rods react very nicely with the recommended wieght. That
being said, 1 of the 3 12F 7.5 footers (3-7/8 oz) I have definately is a 5. I guess there are exceptions to the rule. I think the other two are very pleasant,
full flexing 6s, Todd
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teter |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 1480 11/27/2009 22:21 |
The weight designation of many, though not all, Battenkills, was for weight-forward line, so a rod that Orvis designated as an HDG (6) might well cast a 5 DT.
(My 8' 3/2 4 1/2 oz. Battenkill is marked for both DT6 and WF7). But fly lines have changed in many ways since these rods were made 30-50 years ago. As
many owners have discovered, experimentation with different line weights is the best way to tell what your rod likes best.
Last Edited By: teter 11/27/2009 23:10.
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