First of all, thanks to everyone who replied---I am not new to flyfishing but certainly no bamboo rod expert, as my post surely reflects. AJ: It makes sense to
consider asking for assistance from a reputable seller---who might some of those be? Preferably, someone can suggest a dealer who is motivated to
counsel/consult to find what is most useful to the buyer, rather than just hawking what he happens to have for sale at the moment....as to the price of the
Orvis Penn's Creek Battenkill rod, I'm told by an Orvis rep that it can be bought new for around $1,650. That's a LOT of money, to me anyway--My
reasons for considering it are: Montana is a long way to travel to see/cast other new rods; I look on the Scott and T & T websites and they want
considerably more for their new rods---and Mike Clark has a 5 year wait and isn't taking any more orders while Summers also has a wait of several
months...the other smaller makers you mention I've never heard of, and Winston rods are darn near $3,000 now...and, as one poster mentions, not made by
Brackett anymore like my present 4 wt. was....looks like I need to learn a little more before I buy, or just trust someone reputable but that still scares
me...
This forum began as Clark's Classic Bamboo Rod Forum, founded by Clark Davis for all who share a passion for classic rods. The forum is now owned by Whitefish Press aka Dr. Todd Larson - banjo.
For those who don't use English as their primary language we now have a translator for your language of choice hosted by Google.
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Are Current Orvis rods "quality"?
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 wolfchief |
#21 | |||
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Posts: 4 07/28/2008 20:27 |
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BruceHandley |
#22 | |||
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Posts: 1056 07/28/2008 21:09 Crusty Old Fart
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I have a dealer for you, call Bob Corsetti @ 603- 886- 0411. Explain your problem, ask questions, he's someone you can trust. He is very good at matching
up a buyer and a rod, and he stands behind what he sells. He is also the maker of the Peerless reel.
Bruce |
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pvansch1 |
#23 | |||
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Posts: 3826 07/29/2008 10:19 Moderator |
Wolf,
Where are you located? There may be a near by forum member with rods to look at, cast and try. Not saying the Orvis rod is not a good one, they would still be making and selling them after 150 years if they weren't decent, but there are so many different tapers and casting charectoristics of bamboo rods. It would do you no good to drop $1650 on a rod you are not happy casting, then again, it might fit you perfectly. I think what others are eluding to is; if you don't like the way the Penns Creek casts, you most likely will not get your money back on reselling it. Personally I have bought and sold a few rods I didn't like, kept those that I do and then try and make a copy. I have also had blanks made of rods that I like and I fish them regularly. Pete
Fishing in the rain! |
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slantrock |
Orvis rods | #24 | ||
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Posts: 125 08/01/2008 09:45 |
I own 20 orvis bamboo rods and fish them all. I agree that the present day price for a new Orvis is high but if money was no object I would not hesitate to
purchase one. I've taken the rod shop tour several times and was impressed with their operation. Ive had several rods repaired over the years and was
satisfied with their workmanship and price. I hated to see Ron White retire but his replacement is of the same caliber. The company still allows employee's
to work at home , winding guides etc. I think anyone should take this tour while in Manchester .
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riverfloggin |
#25 | |||
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Posts: 20 08/01/2008 14:29 |
BruceHandley wrote: And he's from New Hampshire, you just can't go wrong there. Not like those filthy Vermonters. |
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gt05254 |
#26 | |||
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Posts: 298 08/03/2008 08:25 |
Geez, I take a shower every morning and every day after work. Wonder who riverfloggin' hangs out with here? And I thoroughly enjoy my Orvis bamboo. They
are so readily available in so many configurations in differing states of repair, that I almost wonder why anyone would buy a new one. Although I probably
would if I could.
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wolfchief |
#27 | |||
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Posts: 6 08/03/2008 21:42 |
Hello to All--I thought I ought to let you gentlemen know what rod I chose...long story short: Thanks for all the advice and well wishes. I did buy a new
bamboo flyrod this weekend. After deliberating the pros and cons for a couple of weeks, checking out the various websites, replying to several PM's from
you fellows, casting the bamboo Winston I have, and casting three different bamboo rods this weekend, I made a selection. The rod I chose is a 7 1/2' 5
weight, and the action is quicker than other rods by its maker that I've owned and cast before. I fished with it today and am very well pleased with the
action and
"backbone" the rod seems to have, the fluidity of the casts I'm making, the workmanship and the price. My selection? The Orvis Adirondack, Madison grade 5 weight. Why did I choose such an overpriced (?) rod? Well, I did not pay the stated catalog price, I was able to cast the Penn's Creek and the Adirondack before I bought, I was impressed with the obvious knowledge of the Orvis rep at the Chicago store at 142 E. Ontario, and this Madison is a beautiful rod. For what it's worth, I compared the Madison and Battenkill side by side and i saw absolutely no difference in the cosmetics. I was told the taper s are identical. The biggest difference I could see was: The Battenkill has 2 tips, the Madison only one. I'll have to take care of that rod...I digested the information from this site---namely, the fact that Orvis repairs are made promptly, the work is quality, and the price for repairs/service, if ever needed, is right. I also note that the individuals on this site who actually own and fish one of these rods seem to really like them. I was looking for a rod with a little more power and "oomph" when I go West to Wyoming, Montana and the Black Hills and I think this rod will fulfill that need. And frankly, there are just a HELL of a lot of bamboo rodmakers to sort through, and I don't know hardly any of them. I had owned an Orvis bamboo 3 piece, 2 tip rod in the 1990's--a 7/4--and this Adirondack's action is faster and, to me, smoother than that rod was. And as far as price goes, over the years it has been my experience that one gets just about what one pays for, especially when it comes to sporting goods....You all have a good point about resale, but that makes little difference if I keep the rod. I was told that this rod was made by Ron White; the serial number is 90765...can anyone verify that White made the rod? I think I'm gonna like fishing this rod out West.....Thanks again, everyone. |
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Greg Reynolds |
#28 | |||
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Posts: 1757 08/04/2008 21:27 Orvis Database Founder |
Your rod is the most recent production on my database--2007 or later. Ron retired March 29th 2006, but IIRC, he's been back working to help with their back
log. Just call Orvis--they'll gladly tell you who made it and when.
Hope you enjoy it... |
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teter |
#29 | |||
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Posts: 1044 08/04/2008 23:33 |
You have bought a good rod and you don't owe anyone an explanation. Enjoy it.
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GRASSNGLASS |
#30 | |||
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Posts: 560 08/06/2008 16:47 |
I've owned about fifty Orvis rods and still have about eighteen left at last count. They have all been used and probably 1/4 of them rebuilt by the Orvis
rod department. If I were to spend $1800 on a new rod it would be an Orvis because I've never been treated better by any company.
I've sent rods in with broken butts and they replaced them free, if they had and old one laying around. I sent them with broken tip and although didn't ask for repair, they did it free. Something to be said for customer service. I've had many models and really only thought about 85% were wonderful fishing tools. From what I see they don't make any of the poorer casting models at this time. I think that a company who has put 100'000 bamboo fishing rods on the market may have fair understanding of what is wanted by the fisherman. If the current rods are considered the best rods to be put out on the market by the experienced people at Orvis, I just tend to think they might have good idea what is wanted by todays fisherman. Barry |
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bobbeegee |
Orvis 7/4 | #31 | ||
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Posts: 1863 08/06/2008 18:21 |
Wolfchief,
Do you still own the 7/4? Bob |
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wolfchief |
#32 | |||
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Posts: 7 08/06/2008 23:14 |
Hello Bob: I do not own that rod now. It was purchased as a package, with a CFO reel I still have-- that is used with my Winston Light Trout 4 wt. bamboo. The
7/4 was quality-built but I found the action very slow, not well adapted to my casting style, and being only 7 ft. it was easier, for me anyway, to maintain
line control with a slightly longer rod. When I compared the Battenkill Penn's Creek 7' that I cast at the Chicago store last weekend, I was favorably
impressed with how crisply that rod cast, compared to the 7/4. There was nothing wrong with the 7/4; I just never felt that I personally could bring out the
best in that particular rod......
Last Edited By: wolfchief 08/06/2008 23:16.
Edited 1 time.
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Dread Pirate Robert.fiberglassflyro... |
#33 | |||
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Posts: 9 08/07/2008 01:16 |
I really like the looks of the new Orvis Flea from this year's catalog ~~ but $3500 is way out of my price range ~~ even with the engraved hardware.
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wolfchief |
#34 | |||
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Posts: 8 08/07/2008 20:48 |
Agreed...I couldn't (wouldn't) touch that one either though they attempted to interest me in the Limited Edition Flea when I visited Orvis Chicago;
they had one there. I was reading the other post on "tapers" and also agree with a comment there that, if you find an action you like, buy THAT rod,
don't be beguiled into ordering a rod with an "identical" taper because it may not cast the same...sounds like good advice to me...
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- Members Corner
- Forum Announcements
- Collecting Bamboo Fly Rods
- Fishing Bamboo Fly Rods
- Rod making, restoration, repairs and discussion on those related topics concerning bamboo rods.
- Rod and Reel Makers Forum
- Information About Makers & Manufacturers
- Taper Exchange
- Appraisals & Identification of Bamboo Fly Rods
- Ephemera, empherma and Ephemerella.....
- Book Talk
- Photos, paintings, written stories and talents.
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- The Cooks Kitchen
- The Classic Fly Rod Classifieds
- Technical Support
The Orvis database by Greg Reynolds Finally available again!!
Check out the Paul Young Rod Co. database which is owned and maintained by member Robert Golder (quashnet).
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