Orvis Superfine Touch 6'6" 3wt. 4pc.

[Colt Johnson]

I received the blank about 4:00 p.m on Saturday afternoon. (I also received an 804 SFT blank that will be my next build). I worked on the rod on and off in between setting up a Christmas tree and decorating it with my wife and daughter. I had all guides wrapped, grip and seat attached, and all finish was applied by 2:00 a.m. So I assembled the whole rod in a 10 hr. period (excepting the times for family activities that evening). It may be my new fastest build!

 

One coat of finish was sufficient to complete the rod. The guides turned out great considering by 2:00 a.m. I had several beers in my system. The only thing that I will likely touch up is the epoxy covering the rod label near the butt section. My finish is a bit too wavy for my liking. I think I can even things out with a very light second coat.

 

My rod probably weighs close to the factory model. With about 10 feet of fly line pulled off the reel and through the guides, the rod balances about 2 rings from the tip of the grip with my fully loaded Sage Click II reel. Having owned mostly fiberglass in this rod length/weight configuration, I was impressed with how light the rod felt and the rod felt a bit quicker than I expected. The blank is very thin and recovers quickly. I have not fished the rod as of yet.

 

This ought to be a nice rod for tight quarters and accurate casts under 35'. I'm anxious to try it out!

 

I used the following components:

 

Seat: Spalted Box Elder Burl (I turned) with Orvis Slip rings (from Jim West).

Grip: Cigar grip from Hook and Hackle cut down about an inch in length.

Guides: Pac Bay Light Wire chrome snakes. Sized (5) 2/0, (1) 1/0, and (1) 1.

Stripping Guide: American Tackle Titan (Solid Titanium)

Tip Top: Size 3.5 Pac Bay Light Wire

Thread: YLI 50wt. Silk Thread (Antique Gold)

Finish: Flexcoat 2 part epoxy finish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ronk]

I've owned the original version of this rod for many years, a 2wt with a cork & ring reel seat.Orvis dubbed it "The One Ounce" and at that weight I believe it remains per Orvis "the world's lightest flyrod."For good casters it's a great bluegill rod.It casts best in wind or for distance when overlined by 2 line weights & performs beautifully with a Wulff Triangle Taper flyline.However the rod's being so short there is little room for error in keeping long casts elevated.Having stuck myself 2 or 3x while casting beyond 60' I learned it's best to use barbless hooks.

[Colt Johnson]

Ronk,

 

Thanks for your comments! I've heard good things about the "one ounce" Orvis 2wt. model. I buddy of mine from St. Louis has that same model and he had strong suspicions that the Orvis Superfine Touch 6'6" 3wt. was based on the same taper/design. My rod is probably a little heavier (closer to 2 oz.) with the wood seat, and the extra ferrules, but I still need to weigh it.

 

I spent about 5 minutes on my dock before work this morning casting mine with a Sage Performance Taper 3wt. WF line. I had a beautiful tight loop on my first cast. While I feel the rod will likely perform best around 35' (very accurate) I can see this rod being able to hammer out a 50' plus cast. I did a few double hauls and the rod responded positively instead of just collapsing when pushed.

 

I think it will be a nice addition to my ultralight arsenal!

 

 

I've owned the original version of this rod for many years, a 2wt with a cork & ring reel seat.Orvis dubbed it "The One Ounce" and at that weight I believe it remains per Orvis "the world's lightest flyrod."For good casters it's a great bluegill rod.It casts best in wind or for distance when overlined by 2 line weights & performs beautifully with a Wulff Triangle Taper flyline.However the rod's being so short there is little room for error in keeping long casts elevated.Having stuck myself 2 or 3x while casting beyond 60' I learned it's best to use barbless hooks.