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Post 06 Nov 2021, 23:52 • #1 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/07/12
Posts: 865
Location: US-CA
Orvis released a 165-unit run of the CFO III - made in the USA but patterned after the Hardy version from the 70’s.

Sold out online in 24 hours.

http://thefiberglassmanifesto.blogspot.com/2021/11/orvis-fly-fishing-cfo-iii-50th.html?m=1


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Post 07 Nov 2021, 09:07 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
I have a feeling a version of the I, II, III in grey will be coming soon with the success of the anniversary edition.

Any idea what the price was?


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Post 07 Nov 2021, 10:26 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3924
Location: USA - Illinois
I have read $398, but not sure if correct.


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Post 07 Nov 2021, 11:01 • #4 
Master Guide
Joined: 02/02/16
Posts: 515
Location: Georgia
$398 is the price I saw on the Orvis site before they sold out.


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Post 07 Nov 2021, 11:35 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
I'm glad I don't like gold reels or I might be looking for one... ;)


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Post 07 Nov 2021, 11:42 • #6 
Master Guide
Joined: 04/02/14
Posts: 537
Location: US- Northern CO
It’s hard enough for me to choose between black and silver no way I’m adding gold to the mix.


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Post 07 Nov 2021, 12:08 • #7 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/07/12
Posts: 865
Location: US-CA
Gold isn’t my bag either. This would have been a cool reel to have, but I think I’m good - Last year I snagged one of the LE reels made by Hardy in 2012.





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Post 07 Nov 2021, 15:25 • #8 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/19/14
Posts: 3924
Location: USA - Illinois
It is weird or maybe just me but I've not seen an Abel made CFO on eBay or anywhere else.


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Post 07 Nov 2021, 19:34 • #9 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
I have a bit of a sentimental thing for CFO's as my first ever fly reel was a Hardy built CFO II although until the Abel's hit the street, I never owned another version other than my original II & III.

When those Abel's were released I was on on it like white on rice and snagged all three which are in use on three different glass rods in my quiver.

But you are right, they seem to be scarce.


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Post 07 Nov 2021, 21:12 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 08/11/20
Posts: 229
Location: Ontario, Canada
I liked the Abel version too. Any ideas who’s making/made this 50th anniversary edition?


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Post 07 Nov 2021, 22:03 • #11 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/07/12
Posts: 865
Location: US-CA
jhuskey wrote:
It is weird or maybe just me but I've not seen an Abel made CFO on eBay or anywhere else.


They come up on eBay occasionally - very occasionally. I’m guessing that (1) Orvis didn’t sell a lot of them, and (2) buyers are keeping them.


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Post 08 Nov 2021, 06:27 • #12 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
BigHeavy wrote:
...Any ideas who’s making/made this 50th anniversary edition?

I have no insight, but have a feeling it was the same Vermont shop that produces their Mirage reels, pliers & nippers.


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Post 08 Nov 2021, 11:26 • #13 
Guide
Joined: 09/05/17
Posts: 305
Location: On a Stream
I read where someone heard Douglas produced the reels for Orvis.


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Post 08 Nov 2021, 16:24 • #14 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
Orvis won't divulge who made the 50th Anniversary reels for them when I asked, so I would be leery of rumors as to their origin...

...However, they did divulge a NEW regular edition CFO is in the works with inventory expected by the end of January 2020!!

They are also remaining tight-lipped regarding any other details like sizes or colors so we'll just have to wait, but I bet it will be a big seller regardless.

I don't need one, but I'll be looking. ;)


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Post 08 Nov 2021, 23:20 • #15 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/21/12
Posts: 462
Location: US-NY
I would have bought the gold one. If they come out with a cfo iv with a clicker I'll buy a couple.

I have hardy cfos iii, iv, v, v multiplier and the abel ii and iii. The sage 500s are a nicer reel with the full cage and I use them way more than the cfos. I still have a soft spot for cfos though.


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Post 09 Nov 2021, 15:49 • #16 
Master Guide
Joined: 06/07/12
Posts: 865
Location: US-CA
Cool. Hope they’re in classic colors and not too spendy…


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Post 09 Nov 2021, 17:02 • #17 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
$398 was the price of the 50th Anniversary edition so draw your own conclusions how they will price the "regular" version.


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Post 20 Nov 2021, 14:12 • #18 
Sport
Joined: 12/15/17
Posts: 59
Location: SW Idaho
It seems the new production run will only be the III, and only in black for $329, and the spool is "not backwardscompatible". I have one on order. My only other CFO is from their last offering in 2016. I have no idea who built it, but it is a beauty.


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Post 20 Nov 2021, 17:35 • #19 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
Mike:

The last iteration (2016) was built by Abel.

I snagged all three (I, II, II) as my first ever fly reel was a Hardy built CFO II and the Able version is even the same grey/black like my originals. The Abel's are really sweet reels but regardless, I am sure the "new" III will be equally as nice.

Again, I don't need one, but... ;)


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Post 21 Nov 2021, 13:53 • #20 
Sport
Joined: 12/15/17
Posts: 59
Location: SW Idaho
Thanks Bam. I was able (no pun intended) to determine that from posts on the CFRF.
I was late trying to get one from Orvis (out of stock) and received an email from a shop in Oregon asking if I was still interested. Yep! So I have the Abel made III, and have ordered a new one from Orvis.
I think I need at least one of the BFR, or Hardy built CFOs.


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Post 27 Nov 2021, 21:03 • #21 
Sport
Joined: 11/24/21
Posts: 70
You can still see the Orvis page for the limited edition reels with the price at $398:
https://www.orvis.com/cfo-iii-50th-anni ... /218N.html

Here's a link to the new CFO III, available in black for $329. I think that's pretty fair for a quality reel made in the U.S and I certainly like it better than the gold. They show shipping starting 2/18/2022.
https://www.orvis.com/cfo-iii-reel/3C9F.html

I have a small pile of CFOs and like them quite a bit. I have the III in early Hardy, BFR and Abel versions as well as Disc. The Abel version is made extremely well, and I only hope the new ones come close. I actually watched an Abel CFO III sell for $425 on eBay yesterday...yikes!


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Post 27 Nov 2021, 22:12 • #22 
Master Guide
Joined: 01/21/12
Posts: 462
Location: US-NY
5-7 line Weights? I don't like going larger than a 4 on a III (but I use dt lines).

Looks like a nice reel.


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Post 28 Nov 2021, 01:00 • #23 
Sport
Joined: 11/24/21
Posts: 70
Yeah, the 5-7 line weight suggesting is ridiculous. I've put a 5 on a CFO III but that's really the limit. Not only that, but the III doesn't really balance heavier/longer rods well at all. The IV is a much better size for 5-6wt rods. It would be really great if they would release a II or 123, and IV to go along with the III. Their current 1856 bamboo rod is a beautiful stick (I have one) but it needs more than a CFO III to balance properly.

I got my Abel CFO III when I got the 1856 under pretty sad circumstances....guy had terminal cancer and put his rods on eBay at firesale prices and I just happened to see the 1856/CFO package minutes after he listed it so I bought it. The combo looks great, but the reel is way too light. A IV would still be on the light side, but would probably be close enough to be okay.


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Post 28 Nov 2021, 08:01 • #24 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/05/06
Posts: 2087
Location: US-PA
FWIW, the first reel I ever owned was a CFO II and I used a WF4 on it and a WF5 on my III, 2-9/16" and 3" respectively and the III had a more than enough backing for trout fishing.

So stretching a point, a WF7 would probably fit on the new III with about the same whisper of backing I had on my II with a WF4. Not necessarily my choice of reel for a 7wt line however...

...since 1972, Orvis has always pictured their bamboo rods with CFO's which never were heavy enough, even for a Flea so I guess stretching things a bit for them is not unheard of. As far as a CFO IV on that 1895 rod...an empty CFO IV comes in under 4oz with the earliest version coming in at 3.5 oz. I have feeling you would still be looking for couple of ounces more to balance an 8'0" 5wt impregnated bamboo rod.


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Post 28 Nov 2021, 13:13 • #25 
Sport
Joined: 11/24/21
Posts: 70
I have an early CFO III (Hardy, center hole in the foot) and one of the spools that came with it is loaded with a WF6....there's not much backing on it. I'm sure it would be usable in small water, but I sure wouldn't have wanted that combo when I was fishing big water out West. I also don't like coiling the fly line that tightly if there's any way to avoid it.

I don't think a new IV would be ideal on the 1856, but it would be better than the III. My Hardy IV loaded is 5.3oz and the Hardy III loaded is 4.1oz. The 1856 has a lot of it's weight in the grip and reel seat...it's hollow-built and has a large grip and seat so it doesn't need quite as much weight to balance as it would seem...but I'm sure you're right that another ounce or two in the reel wouldn't hurt.

I just weighed my Abel CFO III next to the Hardy CFO III and the Abel is half an ounce heavier. It'll be interesting to see if the new version has gained the same weight or not.


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