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Post 15 Apr 2020, 02:45 • #101 
Sport
Joined: 02/14/18
Posts: 36
Location: Australia, Western Australia
Im in my 60's now, but my first really good graphite at the time was an Orvis Limestone Special #6 8.5 ' . It was given to me by Bob Nauheim ( crazy Charlie fly) in N Calif. when I was 18 . it propelled me into a deep un reversable path of fly obsession. I used it with a WF 5 to learn the skills of stunning spring creek fisheries of the Fall River near Mc Cloud Calif. It will always bring back memories of long leaders and small flies and downstream presentations to very spooky and picky fish on an even flowing liquid conveyrbelt of opportunities. That rod was tons of fun, and bent deeply to the corks, but now I'm finding glass is sooooo good. Still use my 590's graphite for big trout in NZ , windy, very long leaders, but glass has replaced all my bass at close range in the creeks. So much fun !!!


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Post 15 Apr 2020, 10:50 • #102 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/14/11
Posts: 1018
Location: Chicago Western Suburbs
I still use my 8’ 4 wt Rocky Mountain on occasion. It was my first real fly rod. I bought back in 1988 and it works just fine.


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Post 15 Apr 2020, 19:26 • #103 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 09/18/09
Posts: 5561
Location: Relocated to the Drought Stricken West.
It's great to see this thread bounce back. I still have my collection, I need to fish the Limestone and Allrounder more. I think my favorite has been my '74 8' 6wt. It is a fantastic 5wt rod. But the Henry's fork gets more action since the extra length is better for nymphing.

I've warmed up to the far&fine. It took me a while, but I fished it a couple of times and I can see why people love it. It vanishes in my hand and does what I ask of it. It isn't the most fun rod for lawn casting, but on the water, it just works.


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Post 16 Apr 2020, 16:28 • #104 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/27/06
Posts: 774
Location: SW Missouri Ozark Plateau
My first graphite was also my first ORVIS, a Limestone Special, 8.5 footer for 6 weight I bought new in 1979. I still fish it and it is in perfect condition. My other graphite favorite is a 1991 made HLS (High Line Speed) 7'9", five weight, a slightly faster version of the famous Far and Fine graphite. But my absolute Orvis favorite rod is my mint 1975, 7.5 foot Bamboo Battenkill rod.


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Post 17 Apr 2020, 03:14 • #105 
Guide
Joined: 07/14/15
Posts: 113
Location: CA-QC
Only have two. The Far&Fine and the Western 8’3” 3 weight. Have to choose the Western, because it is the only long 3 wt I own, and because it handles the wind very well.


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Post 17 Apr 2020, 04:43 • #106 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2086
Location: US-PA
I am surprised I didn’t respond to this thread…

Like many folks, my favorite is the 8’6” 6wt Limestone Special, one of only two Orvis graphite rods I own and my first “good” fly rod, bought new on a trade-in discount deal when I parted ways with the Garcia Four Star Conolon spinning rod I mentioned in the PSA Thread.

I was on the fence between the Limestone Special and the All Rounder but opted for the Limestoner for some reason, (I still think about that All Rounder though…) I fished the heck out of that rod, everywhere and for everything, never once thinking it was too long or too heavy for the fishing. Probably because at the time, I only owned (and needed) two fly rods…which is BLASPHEMY today!! ;)

Not too many years after I bough it, the bamboo bug bit so I sold it to a friend for $50 who sold it to another friend many years later for $50. About 25 years after I sold it for $50, I bought it back from the 3rd owner for $50 and I still have it, looking pretty much like new!!

I recently acquired its bamboo counterpart which will get its first outing very soon. Maybe I’ll fish them both on the same day!!!


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Post 17 Apr 2020, 06:22 • #107 
Master Guide
Joined: 08/15/10
Posts: 589
Location: Elizabethtown & Germania, PA
I had a 7/11 4 weight that I really liked. Gosh that's over 40 years ago.


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Post 13 May 2020, 14:40 • #108 
Guide
Joined: 08/17/07
Posts: 102
Location: US-VA
Say, I've had a mid-80s Orvis graphite rod that I pulled the string on about a dozen years ago. It's an 8'6" Western 2wt graphite rod.




Has anyone else seen or used this model? I have some reels that balance it nicely with a Wulff TT 2fg line.
Any opinions of this long, light model. (I have typically used a Far & Fine for my non glass trout work.)


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Post 13 May 2020, 20:22 • #109 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/09/06
Posts: 2517
Location: US
Yes, I own that same Orvis Western 2wt. I really like it. But I fish mine with a 4wt Orvis superfine fly line not a 2wt.


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Post 14 May 2020, 05:34 • #110 
Guide
Joined: 08/17/07
Posts: 102
Location: US-VA
4 wt, huh. I have fished it with a 3 wt just fine. I will slap on a 4 and see.


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Post 14 May 2020, 06:18 • #111 
Guide
Joined: 03/12/15
Posts: 269
Location: US-CT
there is a facebook site dedicated to the Original Orvis graphites- Vintage Orvis Rods.


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Post 14 May 2020, 14:43 • #112 
Sport
Joined: 12/01/18
Posts: 40
Location: US- Great Smoky Mts of east Tn
I like and use the Orvis All Rounder 7wt and the One Weight with the unsanded blanks. The All Rounder is a cannon with a TT 6/7 on smallmouth and stripe. The One is a fun little brook trout and bream rod. Both get used with older Pflueger reels.


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Post 14 May 2020, 15:07 • #113 
Guide
Joined: 03/12/15
Posts: 269
Location: US-CT
I like and use the Orvis All Rounder 7wt and the One Weight with the unsanded blanks. The All Rounder is a cannon with a TT 6/7 on smallmouth and stripe. The One is a fun little brook trout and bream rod. Both get used with older Pflueger reels.

Yes, I too own the All Rounder matched with a Medalist. - Great rod. The rod lives up to its name for sure.


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Post 20 Jun 2020, 14:12 • #114 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/26/13
Posts: 483
Location: US-PA
Last Year or so I bought a Western Series 2 5/8 ounce 9' 3 weight made in 87. Got it from a board member. Paired with an Orvis Hydros DT4F line, it is the sweetest casting long rod I ever casted. Fits me perfectly. I also have a 7' 5 weight 1 5/8 ounce rod that I bought the first year Orvis offered graphite rods. It has a butt over tip ferrule, and a ceramic top guide. My favorite small stream rod.

Last Thanksgiving I bought a 9'-3" 5 weight Spring Creek for $80, in excellent condition. I gave that to my son. I also bought an 8' 4 weight Western Series for him. He loves both of them.


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Post 20 Jun 2020, 16:47 • #115 
Guide
Joined: 06/28/18
Posts: 338
Location: Bozeman, MT
pondpiscator wrote:
Say, I've had a mid-80s Orvis graphite rod that I pulled the string on about a dozen years ago. It's an 8'6" Western 2wt graphite rod.




Has anyone else seen or used this model? I have some reels that balance it nicely with a Wulff TT 2fg line.
Any opinions of this long, light model. (I have typically used a Far & Fine for my non glass trout work.)


Between 1985 and 2019, I fished Orvis Graphite rods in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, & 12 wt along with a 3 and 6 wt Battenkill. I still have the 7' 3 wt and 7' 6wt Battenkill rods but only the Western Two, 8 1/2' 2 wt Graphite rod and it fishes well with a SA DT2 and an older Airflo Delta Taper 2/3.


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Post 20 Jun 2020, 20:02 • #116 
Sport
Joined: 05/19/18
Posts: 39
Location: Chile, Santiago Metropolitan
Is the Orvis T3 a vintage model yet? it's 20 years old... so, maybe a bit more time to go.

I acquired my T3 4 wt. blank back in the day and it's still one of my top performing rods. Hope I never break it because that'll be it I'm sure!

Cheers!

- Mike


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Post 21 Jun 2020, 08:46 • #117 
Guide
Joined: 06/19/14
Posts: 126
Location: Columbia, MO
I have a couple Orvis vintage graphite rods, including the 8'3" 3 wt Western, jhuskey mentioned earlier in this thread. I would have to say this is my favorite.

Others:
7' 5wt Small Stream Special
7'9" 5wt Green Mountain
8' 5wt Clearwater 2pc. - (Broke it some years back, Mea culpa. Still miss it.)

Thanks,
steve


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Post 22 Jun 2020, 12:36 • #118 
Sport
Joined: 12/01/18
Posts: 40
Location: US- Great Smoky Mts of east Tn
A note of possible interest is that a near new All Rounder went for $56.00 yesterday on Ebay. Someone got a hell of a buy.


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Post 24 Jun 2020, 13:26 • #119 
Sport
Joined: 10/11/07
Posts: 63
Location: SoCal
I have a Rocky Mountain that I bought in 1994, an unsanded 9' 5wt. Although I own (and use) a fair number of fiberglass rods now, I still consider the Orvis one of the most versatile rods in my quiver. This rod and I had an unfortunate run in with a ceiling fan recently; I can't see
any damage from the outside, but my dentist has agreed to x-ray the tip section the next time I come in. Even sadder is that the 25-year
warranty expired just last year!


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Post 18 Jul 2020, 20:43 • #120 
Sport
Joined: 09/26/18
Posts: 50
Location: US-MA
Westerner series 8’9” 8wt


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Post 20 Jul 2020, 08:50 • #121 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/12/16
Posts: 4093
Location: USA-CO
Rocky Mountain 8'6" 5wt.


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Post 23 Jul 2020, 08:30 • #122 
Sport
Joined: 02/29/20
Posts: 62
Location: SWVA
Another vote for the 7'9" 5wt "Far & Fine". I've owned a few, including the early 80s with cork reel seat (favorite), the 90s with wooden reel seat and a couple of Clearwater versions. The only one I still have is a rough and tumble Green Mountain version that will be my 6 year old son's first true fly rod. Second favorite is the 8'3" 7wt "All 'Rounder". I often wonder about the claim that the 7'9" 5wt, the 8' 6wt and the 8'3" 7wt are all from the same blank. Given the love for these rods I wouldn't be surprised.


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Post 24 Jul 2020, 13:40 • #123 
Guide
Joined: 09/06/17
Posts: 163
Location: New Hampshire
I was very fortunate to fish the Connecticut River in Vermont for bass with Tom Rosenbauer in l984 or so; we were in canoes and brought along our wives. I had never tried bass bugging before, but had a blast; at the end of the trip, when I returned the rod and reel I'd borrow back to Tom, he said "Keep it," and that's how I got into fly-fishing for smallmouth--his wonderful generosity.

It was an Orvis graphite Western "B & B" which meant "Bass & Bonefish." I believe it was 8'9", 8-weight, no fighting butt. When I say I "believe," it's because about ten years ago it fell out of my canoe on that same CT River and, with a heavy reel on the end, sank like a stone to the bottom, where I presume it rests still.

I could have made a grab for it as it sank, but that would have certainly upset my canoe, and I had no idea if my pal in the front could even swim--so down it went.

Sad!

I'd give a lot to have that rod back.


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Post 26 Jul 2020, 13:50 • #124 
New Member
Joined: 07/26/20
Posts: 1
Location: Western Montana
Favorite is an 8' Trout 2 3/8 oz 6 wt. made April 88. Next is 9' 4 1/4 oz 8wt 4 pc HLS. Then a Rocky Mountain series Henry's Fork 8 1/2' 3oz 5wt. But my all time favorite fly rod is the first one I ever bought, I was 14 years old in 1962 and I saved the money I earned mowing lawns and shoveling snow the previous year. I bought it at the local sporting goods store that my buddy's parents owned. I was able to get the rod, reel and a level floating line plus a few poppers that desimated the local largemouth population :-). It was a Kingfisher brand 8 1/2' fiberglass 6-7 wt. I still have it 58 years later and it's in reasonable condition for it's age and all the use it got.


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Post 28 May 2021, 06:55 • #125 
Guide
Joined: 03/12/15
Posts: 269
Location: US-CT
Anyone have experience with the Orvis western 8 1/2 for a 6 or the western blanks from long ago?
how does it compare with the superfine blanks? Any input appreciated.
Thanks


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