Orvis Clearwater 2024 Review – Is It Still The Best Value Fly Fishing Rod?

In short, yes, the Orvis Clearwater is still the best-value fly fishing rod in 2024. This fly rod offers incredible value, boasting a premium-tier fly rod performance at a low price tag of only $249.

In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the tests we did on the Orvis Clearwater, such as rod build quality, casting, presentation, and more.

We’ll also highlight the pros and cons, best use case, best fishing environments, and best target species. Let’s take a look at the Orvis Clearwater Rod.

Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Review and Tests

For our Orvis Clearwater review, we analyzed six aspects of the rod.

Specifications

• Length: Varies – 7.6′ – 9′

• Weight: Varies 2-weight – 12-weight

• Blank: Black chrome with white accents

• Guides: Chrome snake and stripping guide with a ceramic insert

• Reel seat: Full black nickel aluminum

• Fighting butt: Composite tip (on select models)

• Foregrip: Composite tip (on two-handed models)

• Rod tube: Gray

• Warranty: 25 years

• Price: $249

• Designed in Vermont

On Orvis:

Clearwater® Fly Rod White Size 8-Weight. 9' Graphite Orvis

View Entire Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit (rod + reel + line) On Amazon

Rod Build Quality

This rod, featuring traces of the high-end Helios series design, really impresses. Made from mid-modulus graphite, it offers a lightweight yet extremely durable design, which makes it an absolute treat for fly fishing.

I quite like the nickel-aluminum alloy reel seat with its black finish – it adds to the rod’s aesthetic appeal and durability.

Weight

One thing Orvis gets right is to offer a product for every fly fisherman. For instance, the Clearwater collection comes in whopping 19-weight-x-length combinations, ranging from a 2-weight 10′ to a 12-weight 9′!

Of this wide array of Clearwater rods, my favorite is the 8-weight 9′, which is perfect for both small stream fly fishing and tackling those monsters.

Reel Build Quality

Orvis Loaded Clearwater® Fly-Fishing Reels Size II (4-6 Wt) Clearwater Wf-5 Line/4X Leader Cast Aluminum

What you might not have known is that Orvis also has a Clearwater reel. It’s a beautiful reel, one that I truly enjoy showing off to my friends.

Furthermore, Orvis’ excellent craftsmanship can be seen all over the Clearwater reels. The stainless steel components increase the reel’s longevity, especially when you like to fish in saltwater environments.

I quite like the large arbor reel design as it allows for efficient line retrieval – we all know how much of a pain it can be if your fly reel is giving you a hard time when you’re in the water. Its drag knob is easily adjustable, further enhancing the user experience.

Long Casting

During long casting tests, the Clearwater 8-weight showcased its power and accuracy. Using the double haul technique, you can easily cast between 20-65 feet, which is more than enough for general fly fishing.

The rod and reel adeptly handle most types of flies and fly rod casting techniques.

Short Casting

The rod’s medium action, while beneficial for long distances, definitely required some adjustment for short-range casting. However, with practice, this became manageable, especially after I used the roll-casting technique.

The key highlight I like to make from the casting tests is that it’s a good fly rod for long casts, but you’ll need to practice a bit for the short casts.

Still, the Clearwater is really easy to learn, and after a few casts, you can easily get into those tight spots – it really speaks volumes that this is a quality fly rod that easily adapts to your every whim.

Presentation

Boy, can the Clearwater present. When I think of the Clearwater’s presentations, a ballerina comes to mind, gently dancing and captivating the audience with how she presents herself. The only difference is that this is fly fishing – we’re using flies, and the fish is our audience.

In all my tests, the Clearwater could effortlessly conduct natural fly presentations. This is largely due to the sensitive tip compensating for the rest of the rod’s stiffness.

The sensitive tip design ensures that your flies land softly on the water, ensuring you don’t startle the fish – a huge advantage if you ask me!

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Durable construction with stainless steel and die-cast aluminum.

• Excellent value-for-money

• Wide range of weights and lengths catering to various fishing scenarios.

• Efficient and consistent drag system.

• Lightweight design ensuring ease of use.

• Sensitive tip ensures fish doesn’t get easily startled

• Covered by Orvis’ generous 25-year warranty.

Cons:

• Lacks the refined aesthetics of premium rods.

• Absence of a designated hook keeper.

For Who Is The Clearwater Fly Rod Ideal

The Clearwater is ideal if you’re a beginner who wants a reliable first rod. It’s also the perfect backup rod for experienced fly fishermen (especially the six-piece) or for those who want the best value fly rod.

Overall, the Orvis Clearwater is highly adaptable, making it suitable for various fishing techniques.

• Dry fly fishing

• Euro nymphing

• Spey casting

Best Type Of Fish

This rod and reel combo is versatile, ideal for catching a wide range of fish species.

• Trout (small stream to large river varieties)

• Steelhead

• Tarpon

Best Environments To Fish In

This rod and reel combo thrives in diverse environments. Its design accommodates almost any fishing environment you can think of, including the following.

• Freshwater streams and rivers

• Saltwater flats

• Both light and rugged fishing conditions

Conclusion – Is it still the best value Fly fishing rod of 2024?

Yes, the Orvis Clearwater 2024 maintains its status as a top-value fly fishing rod.

Feel free to check the Clearwater’s price on the official Orvis website:

Clearwater® Fly Rod White Size 8-Weight. 9' Graphite Orvis

For the rod and reel combo:

Clearwater® 6-Piece Fly Rod Outfit White Size 8-Weight. 9' Graphite Orvis

View Entire Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit (rod + reel + line) On Amazon