Im always backing Orvis. When I was a kid, there was an absolutely amazing fly shop walking distance from me, which is crazy because im from a tiny town with pretty much zero trout in the area in northeast ohio aside from the steelhead rivers an hour away. I wish i could go back in time and talk to the old dude who ran that shot. Every fly fisherman in this part of the state knew Frank Navarrette. Probably botched the spelling. But he was an Orvis dealer and really treated kids like me well and would give us flies. Ill never forget the wire haired retriever he had or the smell of his pipe tobacco.
Really looking forward to this new rod you were hinting at! I just started looking for a new small creek rod and you just ticked a lot of boxes I'm looking for.
Badass interview. Orvis with 5% of profits for conservation. That's by far the best thing about their company besides offering a quality product. I hope that other big name wealthy brands fishing or not will follow suit.
Ran orvis rids/reels since i started fly fishing in 2010. Had the access, and a couple battenkills all disc drags. Still have em all. Still work great. Currently am fishing an orvis hydros reel another good product so far, not a ross or able but ive found orvis reels a great value with there rods being a step ahead.
Great Podcast! I grew up about an hour or so from Manchester VT and have always had respect for Orvis and their products (and have owned numerous) over the last 30 plus years. I also have respect for Shawn and his reasons for the current aesthetics, but I haven’t been able to overcome those aesthetics to date to buy a Helios 3 or Helios 4. I might re-think that
I’ve always viewed the “lifestyle” aspect of orvis separately from the fishing aspect. All of the high end orvis fishing gear is made in New England in smaller factories just like most other made in USA fly fishing companies. This is separate from their lifestyle gear that is primary imported like stuff from LL bean or Patagonia is. They aren’t made by the same people, just sold under the same company. This is way different than how LL bean sells fishing gear which is also all exclusively imported from factories that make rods for several other brands. The fishing aspect of orvis puts a significant about of time and effort into designing and manufacturing high end fishing gear just like those made by sage, Scott, or T&T
I'm going to guess the new rod will use a fiberglass blank. If you ever get Shawn back again, ask him about designing fly rods for the "budget" angler - what compromises have to be made to meet a price point.
My opinion - it's not so much that compromises are made or corners are cut on the price point/budget rods. It would be more accurate to say that "more" is put into the higher end/flagship line. Shawn Combs mentions how much analysis (2 years) is performed on the Helios rods. To create a line of $200 rods doesn't take quite as much research and development, but if you want to charge $1000 for a rod, the improvements better be there. Also, the Helios rods uses never before used materials and resins. That material is still great 4 years later, but since it isn't the newest technology it doesn't command the flagship price. Think about electronics; there is a lot to compare about the two industries. The other big factor is components. Budget/price point rods use good components. Flagship rods use premium components. If you've ever looked at the cork on the Helios rods vs the others in the line you will see a difference. Some people have the means to spend over $1000 on a rod and some don't. Orvis is just outfitting rods with both options to give the consumer a choice.
Bring back the hook keeper, please. I just saw a new Helios 2 rod for sale on the auction site to add to my Orvis collection, and because it had a hook keeper, that was deciding factor to buy it. When they are installed on a fly rod correctly (low profile, as close to the handle cork as possible, and stationary), they do not create any problems. With a 7 1/2 ft leader, the entire leader is stored outside the guides (unlike if you use the stripper guide instead, because it’s further up the rod). For the small labor amount it saves by leaving it out, Orvis excludes potential customers. And, the white label spooks fish in some fishing scenarios. Being able to place a fly on a dime instead of a quarter, is not a fair trade off, sorry.
The Spinal Tap reference was on point. Thanks for making me feel old 😂
Hell Yeah😅😅😅
I've been an Orvis fan since I was 13 and I'm now 56. Greatest gear on the planet.
Im always backing Orvis. When I was a kid, there was an absolutely amazing fly shop walking distance from me, which is crazy because im from a tiny town with pretty much zero trout in the area in northeast ohio aside from the steelhead rivers an hour away. I wish i could go back in time and talk to the old dude who ran that shot. Every fly fisherman in this part of the state knew Frank Navarrette. Probably botched the spelling. But he was an Orvis dealer and really treated kids like me well and would give us flies. Ill never forget the wire haired retriever he had or the smell of his pipe tobacco.
Really looking forward to this new rod you were hinting at! I just started looking for a new small creek rod and you just ticked a lot of boxes I'm looking for.
Badass interview. Orvis with 5% of profits for conservation. That's by far the best thing about their company besides offering a quality product. I hope that other big name wealthy brands fishing or not will follow suit.
Cuatro! Love it!... 50year superfine carbon edition...looking foward to it. PLEASE Shawn put titanium guides on the superfine!
Shawn Combs is geeky cool when it comes to fly rods.
Ran orvis rids/reels since i started fly fishing in 2010. Had the access, and a couple battenkills all disc drags. Still have em all. Still work great. Currently am fishing an orvis hydros reel another good product so far, not a ross or able but ive found orvis reels a great value with there rods being a step ahead.
A Superfine trout bum return would be epic
Great episode!
Great Podcast! I grew up about an hour or so from Manchester VT and have always had respect for Orvis and their products (and have owned numerous) over the last 30 plus years. I also have respect for Shawn and his reasons for the current aesthetics, but I haven’t been able to overcome those aesthetics to date to buy a Helios 3 or Helios 4. I might re-think that
I’ve always viewed the “lifestyle” aspect of orvis separately from the fishing aspect. All of the high end orvis fishing gear is made in New England in smaller factories just like most other made in USA fly fishing companies. This is separate from their lifestyle gear that is primary imported like stuff from LL bean or Patagonia is. They aren’t made by the same people, just sold under the same company. This is way different than how LL bean sells fishing gear which is also all exclusively imported from factories that
make rods for several other brands. The fishing aspect of orvis puts a significant about of time and effort into designing and manufacturing high end fishing gear just like those made by sage, Scott, or T&T
Do people that don't use the hook keeper complain when the hook keeper is present on rods?
In my humble opinion, the Superfine are the best graphites Orvis have made. Graphite with soul.
I'm going to guess the new rod will use a fiberglass blank.
If you ever get Shawn back again, ask him about designing fly rods for the "budget" angler - what compromises have to be made to meet a price point.
My opinion - it's not so much that compromises are made or corners are cut on the price point/budget rods. It would be more accurate to say that "more" is put into the higher end/flagship line. Shawn Combs mentions how much analysis (2 years) is performed on the Helios rods. To create a line of $200 rods doesn't take quite as much research and development, but if you want to charge $1000 for a rod, the improvements better be there. Also, the Helios rods uses never before used materials and resins. That material is still great 4 years later, but since it isn't the newest technology it doesn't command the flagship price. Think about electronics; there is a lot to compare about the two industries.
The other big factor is components. Budget/price point rods use good components. Flagship rods use premium components. If you've ever looked at the cork on the Helios rods vs the others in the line you will see a difference. Some people have the means to spend over $1000 on a rod and some don't. Orvis is just outfitting rods with both options to give the consumer a choice.
I need that hat
Oh this isn't Diddy. Il see myself out.
Damnit, beat me to it 😂
Didn’t he just get arrested today :-)
This is the dude that took away my hook keeper?
Bring back the hook keeper, please. I just saw a new Helios 2 rod for sale on the auction site to add to my Orvis collection, and because it had a hook keeper, that was deciding factor to buy it. When they are installed on a fly rod correctly (low profile, as close to the handle cork as possible, and stationary), they do not create any problems. With a 7 1/2 ft leader, the entire leader is stored outside the guides (unlike if you use the stripper guide instead, because it’s further up the rod). For the small labor amount it saves by leaving it out, Orvis excludes potential customers. And, the white label spooks fish in some fishing scenarios. Being able to place a fly on a dime instead of a quarter, is not a fair trade off, sorry.
First 😋
Idk about the accuracy of the rod, but this gentleman does have an unfortunate name.
1100 bucks for a fly rod............🤔🤔
Not today Diddy
Graphene or it’s yesterdays news. You will lose to the Scott and Taylor rods until you do.
And Hardy, Guideline, and Loop.
Bring. Back. The. Hook. Keeper.
Thank you
$1,100 rod. That’s a hard no.