In the world of fly rods, there is a lot to choose from. There are many brands out there and they all offer different features, but if you’re looking for quality without breaking the bank then I recommend checking out these two contenders: The Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod and the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod. We will explore each of these rods and look at their features, performance, pros and cons so you can make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing a new fly-fishing rod.
A Head to Head Comparison : Redington Classic Trout Vs Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
The table below highlights the differences between the two rods briefly. It compares construction, warranty, durability, and the application of the two fly rods.
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod
The Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod is an aesthetically pleasing fly rod built primarily for the trout angler. The manufacturer was tact enough to blend the blank and reel seat colors to the environment. This approach aids in preventing trout from being spooked. Read below how Redington went about designing and assembling the rod’s parts.
Material
As a stiffer fly rod, the Classic Trout casts pleasantly and easily at any practical angling distance. Thanks to the graphite blank, it is generally lightweight and stronger. It holds greater resistance with lesser material.
The reel seat is made from a single-anodized aluminum component with an uplocking mechanism. It can hold smaller reels intact while maintaining a lighter weight.
Design
Like in its name, Redington built this rod for the classic angler. This didn’t get in the way of performance though. Its features and aesthetics are worth the price.
Blank
Designed with a medium action blank, the rod is meant to make short and middle-range presentations. It gives slower casting strokes and has a true medium flex technology. The action makes it great for lighter tippets. If you want to land smaller flies delicately as fish rise, this is your magic stick.
Guides
The titanium-oxide stripping guides ensure that the line shoots through the CT rod effortlessly. As smaller guides, they nicely accommodate fly lines specifically for freshwater.
Its snake guides are lightweight. This greatly reduces the overall weight of the rod without compromising performance.
Reel Seat
The Rosewood insert is a beauty. It complements the blank’s color and is a good one for trout. These buddies get spooked easily and you wouldn’t want to miss a chance at the nearest one. Redington gave the CT rod a traditional feel with the insert it used. Still, it maintained style and functionality.
It comes with a single-anodized aluminum component with an uplocking mechanism. This has proven to be great for securely holding small trout reels.
Rod Tube
Redington packs the CT fly rod in a ballistic nylon tube to protect it from damage. Its interior has dividers for quick and easy storage.
Warranty
All Redington Classic Trout Fly Rods purchased after July 2019 are backed by a lifetime warranty to the original owner. However, terms and conditions apply.
Feel
The Classic Trout rod loads very smoothly. The fluid bend as you cast runs almost closer to the cork. This allows it to communicate valuable information. Its feel is almost like that of Winston Pure Fly Rods. It feels soft at the tip but it stiffens gradually towards the handle during the bend.
Who is it Ideal for?
If you want to cast in small streams, spring creeks, or drift on large tailwaters for trout, this should be your go-to fly rod. It is a beginner to expert fly rod perfect for any angler who wants to make delicate presentations of flies at a close range. It is also a good dry fly rod.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Available in various models
- Great for dry flies
- For both novices and experts
- Aesthetically-pleasing
- An excellent trout rod
- Weather-resistant components
Cons
- The rod tip shocks at distances exceeding 50’. You will need smoother strokes when casting at long ranges. But it isn’t such a big issue
- Slightly bulkier handle and needs some getting used to.
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
The Clearwater Fly Rod has undergone several upgrades since the first launch. The current version is a piece to die for especially for freshwater anglers. You will love its versatility as it is applicable for most freshwater angling scenarios. A few saltwater versions exist for migrating tarpon, bonefish, and other trophies in the saline areas. Here’s what the construction is like.
Material
Orvis improved the latest version of the Clearwater rod blank by using its blend of intermediate, standard, and high-modulus graphite. However, this will depend on the model you select. This means that the rod’s strength is 10-15% better than the first version.
Design
From the series of overhauls the model has undergone, there is a great difference in design. Several aspects changed for the better.
Blank
The manufacturer derived inspiration from its Helios rod-an an award-winning fly rod known for greater response and reduced weight.
Each rod size comes with a deserving action for its recommended line weight. A few are medium action while others are medium-fast.
It comes with a quick identifier on the blank to help you distinguish yours from the rest when fishing in a group with similar rods.
Guides
Both the snake and stripping guides are made from chrome. Stripping guides allow your fly lines to pass through with ease. Snake guides remain lightweight for durability and functionality.
Reel Seat
Aluminum reel seats are durable and can withstand as much resistance as possible. For this reason, the Clearwater rods can be used in saline areas where the conditions are more brutal. It survives life!
Rod Tube
The rod comes in a gray durable Cordura rod tube for storage. This makes it easy to transport your stick and protect it from impact damage, dust, and dirt.
Warranty
Orvis backs the Clearwater Rod with its 25-year guarantee on any repairs and replacements. Still, the terms and conditions of the warranty will apply.
Feel
The Clearwater isn’t featherlight but feels great in the hands. Depending on the model you choose the feel will vary with the action. Overall, the tips are softer and the rods do admirable jobs in protecting tippets.
Pros
- Has rod identifiers
- Available in various models
- Freshwater and saltwater versions available
- 25-year guarantee
- Gray rod tube
- Durable aluminum seat
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a hook keep
Final Verdict
Both Redington and Orvis deserve tons of accolades. However, if there is nothing else, both the Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod and Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod prove several surprising truths. Clearwater rods have currently leaped ahead in versatility because of a range of freshwater and saltwater rods. But Redington maintains a similar construction through all the CT models to make them applicable for the same environment which is a win-win for both brands.
Top to bottom, the offerings of the CT fly rod are aesthetic. For lovers of class and style, it is a sure bet. Orvis came in stiffly by maintaining an awesome and striking blank with a rod identifier which is a bonus to the owner.
The two fly rods cut across all angling abilities from beginners. This means that purchasing any rod at any level isn’t a loss whatsoever. For a more versatile range of options, the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod will be ideal. For the angler who loves throwing dry flies, Redington Classic Trout Fly Rods will shock them.