I bought this rod from an Orvis store back in November 2021. At that time, they were including the Battenkill Disc V spey reel, with Mission shooting line, Skagit head, and three Skagit tips in their outfit package. The only issue was the various product package literature had different recommendations for the Skagit head weight. Within the year, my correspondences with the main office, got that resolved and subsequent online and package literature showed 480 grain Skagit, and 420 grain Scandi. The rod is rated for 420-520 grain head range. Their Scandi head has been always out of stock, and I just got one sent to me. In the store, I noticed that the Mission spey lines were nearly gone and half priced for what was on the shelf. Apparently, with Orvis buying up Scientific Angler, the Orvis lines are being phased out. Once again, online recommendations didn't make sense. The SA recommendation for the Clearwater 118-4 is a 570 grain Skagit head. Way more than what seems appropriate, even for the fishing staff at the Orvis store. Go with something closer to 480 grains. OPST recommended their 400 grain Commando head. That would seem too light; however, if you compare the grains per head length, it works out to be about the same as the longer Mission head of 480 grains. I agree with you about the reel seat and ferrule loosening. I would check and tighten as necessary before you move back to the top of a reach or move on to the next reach when fishing.
Glad I stumbled on this vid, I wanna pick up switch/spey rod. I have a Clearwater 9’ 8wt for bass and big trout so was thinking about another Clearwater 8wt 11’ Spey. Lots of good information thanks!
I have the 9’ 8wt clearwater as well. This switch rod is leaps and bounds over the single hander. Mends and roll casts like a dream compared to it. If you can check one out(switch rod) it’s definitely worth having in the quiver. Hopefully you can try before you buy in your neck of the woods. Tight lines🤘
Milan's monster rod for monster fish. Watched fish running on my local river fir a month before it opened October 16, then watched the banks fill for the last 2 weeks with meat fishermen. I may take my flyrod down there in a few more weeks when there is casting room.
Haha!! Pretty much! I forgot to mention that this rod has a curse! Whenever I catch fish either my batteries die or it’s out of focus, wrong camera angles etc etc. Not the best curse to have with a TH-cam channel!! Hahah! I hope you get on some fish, the steelhead are running good in my area and we are getting snow tonight so it will make for some interesting conditions. Good luck out there👍
I wish i could answer this but have no experience with the 4wt. I would call them up(orvis) or chat with them online. They’re a pretty knowledgeable bunch. There are a few guys working the lines that really know Spey fishing. Definitely helped me out. Just a heads up. Check your reel seat and alignment dots from time to time.
🌴 this review is about the new Orvis Clearwater rods but what can you tell me about an older Orvis Clearwater rod , I just picked up an 8 wt - 9’ Orvis 2 pc fly rod at a flea market for $5.00 it looks new , I’m guessing it’s med action , but it feels pretty stiff , I stuck a 9 wt floating wt fwd Cortland line on a 9 wt Redington behemoth reel , I’ll be using it on saltwater, it casts like a 10 wt with the stiff action , I like the 2 pc rods better than the four pc new ones , I feel that the new four pc ones make for a weaker construction of a rod , it’s a transparent gray graphite with forest green wrappings any ideas when it was made ?
You know more about the older ones than me. I did hear that the older Clearwater rod was just a rebrand of an entry level american made orvis rod that they discontinued and started manufacturing overseas under the Clearwater name. Sounds like a beast of a rod, great deal too
I sent your message to management. Hopefully they can help you with your issues, thanks for choosing Greenhorn Flyhorn for all your fly fishing needs 🙂
I would love to hear more about 2 handed Skagit casting for steelhead. Thanks!
On it! Thanks for giving the video a gander
I bought this rod from an Orvis store back in November 2021. At that time, they were including the Battenkill Disc V spey reel, with Mission shooting line, Skagit head, and three Skagit tips in their outfit package. The only issue was the various product package literature had different recommendations for the Skagit head weight. Within the year, my correspondences with the main office, got that resolved and subsequent online and package literature showed 480 grain Skagit, and 420 grain Scandi. The rod is rated for 420-520 grain head range. Their Scandi head has been always out of stock, and I just got one sent to me. In the store, I noticed that the Mission spey lines were nearly gone and half priced for what was on the shelf. Apparently, with Orvis buying up Scientific Angler, the Orvis lines are being phased out. Once again, online recommendations didn't make sense. The SA recommendation for the Clearwater 118-4 is a 570 grain Skagit head. Way more than what seems appropriate, even for the fishing staff at the Orvis store. Go with something closer to 480 grains. OPST recommended their 400 grain Commando head. That would seem too light; however, if you compare the grains per head length, it works out to be about the same as the longer Mission head of 480 grains. I agree with you about the reel seat and ferrule loosening. I would check and tighten as necessary before you move back to the top of a reach or move on to the next reach when fishing.
Glad I stumbled on this vid, I wanna pick up switch/spey rod. I have a Clearwater 9’ 8wt for bass and big trout so was thinking about another Clearwater 8wt 11’ Spey. Lots of good information thanks!
I have the 9’ 8wt clearwater as well. This switch rod is leaps and bounds over the single hander. Mends and roll casts like a dream compared to it. If you can check one out(switch rod) it’s definitely worth having in the quiver. Hopefully you can try before you buy in your neck of the woods. Tight lines🤘
Milan's monster rod for monster fish.
Watched fish running on my local river fir a month before it opened October 16, then watched the banks fill for the last 2 weeks with meat fishermen. I may take my flyrod down there in a few more weeks when there is casting room.
Haha!! Pretty much! I forgot to mention that this rod has a curse! Whenever I catch fish either my batteries die or it’s out of focus, wrong camera angles etc etc. Not the best curse to have with a TH-cam channel!! Hahah!
I hope you get on some fish, the steelhead are running good in my area and we are getting snow tonight so it will make for some interesting conditions. Good luck out there👍
How do you think the 4wt switch would do with 5x tippet? I want to purchase but unsure due to the little information on the lower weights
I wish i could answer this but have no experience with the 4wt. I would call them up(orvis) or chat with them online. They’re a pretty knowledgeable bunch. There are a few guys working the lines that really know Spey fishing. Definitely helped me out. Just a heads up. Check your reel seat and alignment dots from time to time.
🌴 this review is about the new Orvis Clearwater rods but what can you tell me about an older Orvis Clearwater rod , I just picked up an 8 wt - 9’ Orvis 2 pc fly rod at a flea market for $5.00 it looks new , I’m guessing it’s med action , but it feels pretty stiff , I stuck a 9 wt floating wt fwd Cortland line on a 9 wt Redington behemoth reel , I’ll be using it on saltwater, it casts like a 10 wt with the stiff action , I like the 2 pc rods better than the four pc new ones , I feel that the new four pc ones make for a weaker construction of a rod , it’s a transparent gray graphite with forest green wrappings any ideas when it was made ?
You know more about the older ones than me. I did hear that the older Clearwater rod was just a rebrand of an entry level american made orvis rod that they discontinued and started manufacturing overseas under the Clearwater name. Sounds like a beast of a rod, great deal too
What size reel are you using on this rod? 8/10 or the 10/12? I’ve heard you upsize the reel on switch and Spey rods so it gets pretty confusing
Echo Bravo 7/9 because it’s the saltwater version not the LT version it fits true to size.
You’re obviously sponsored by Orvis? How bout you get them to toss a rod my way and I’ll give them a hands on review through the ringer 😂
Ha!!! Imagine? Nah, they don’t sponsor me. All comes out of pocket, not famous enough I guess…….😆
@@greenhornflyhorn hahaha! Ohh buddy, one day we'll celebrate! (Gotta be getting expensive in the mean time 🥴)
i'm not sure that you a decent caster. So I saw olny your bla-bla-bla . 1001th new rod...
I sent your message to management. Hopefully they can help you with your issues, thanks for choosing Greenhorn Flyhorn for all your fly fishing needs 🙂