The Clearwater is the best-selling fly rod Orvis makes, and the current version is not a facelift — it is a ground-up redesign by the Vermont rod shop, built on Helios tapers. That is the headline: the taper work from Orvis's flagship series, scaled into a rod at a fraction of the cost. Lighter than the outgoing Clearwater, better feedback, and the same 25-year guarantee that backs a Helios.
Every model is purpose-built rather than scaled from one blank — medium action on the small-stream rods, medium-fast through the trout range, fast in the big-game sizes. We stock it deep, 34 rods across the range, and it is the rod we put in more first-time and second-rod buyers' hands than anything else on the wall.
The lineup we carry
| Length | Line | Pieces | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7' 6" | 3 wt | 4 | Small creeks, brush |
| 7' 6" | 4 wt | 4 | Creeks with a little more reach |
| 8' 6" | 4 wt | 4 | Spring creeks, delicate dries |
| 8' 6" | 5 wt | 4 | All-around, shorter water |
| 9' 0" | 4 wt | 4 | Light all-around trout |
| 9' 0" | 5 wt | 4 | The one to buy if you buy one |
| 9' 0" | 6 wt | 4 | Streamers, hoppers, wind |
| 9' 6" | 6 wt | 4 | Extra reach and mending |
| 9' 0" | 7 wt | 4 | Bass, pike, big streamers |
| 9' 0" | 8 wt | 4 | Light salt, bass, carp |
| 9' 0" | 9 wt | 4 | Flats, salmon |
| 9' 0" | 10 wt | 4 | Big game |
| 9' 4" | 11 wt | 4 | Tarpon, blue water |
| 10' 0" | 2 wt | 4 | Euro nymphing, light |
| 10' 0" | 3 wt | 4 | Euro nymphing — our top tight-line seller |
| 10' 0" | 4 wt | 4 | Nymphing with more backbone |
| 10' 0" | 5 wt | 4 | Indicator nymphing, drift boat |
| 10' 0" | 7 wt | 4 | Big-water nymph and streamer |
| 10' 0" | 8 wt | 4 | Long-range big fly |
All four-piece. Check the selector for today's stock — anything not showing we can usually get in quickly. Current pricing is on the selector above.
A note on weights: Orvis does not publish per-model rod weights in ounces for the Clearwater. We would rather tell you that than repeat numbers we cannot source. Come by and we will put one on the shop scale.
Picking one
- First fly rod, or one rod for Colorado: the 9' 5 weight. It is the most-sold rod in this shop for a reason.
- Tight-line and euro nymphing: the 10' 3 weight — we keep this one stocked deep because the Uncompahgre and Gunnison reward it.
- Small water: the 7'6" 3 or 4 weight.
- Streamers and wind: the 9' 6 weight.
- A saltwater trip: the 9' 8 weight is a lot of rod for the money.
Components
- Blanks designed in Vermont on Helios tapers
- Chrome snake guides
- Nickel cast aluminum reel seat
- Rod tube included
Also available: the Clearwater comes as a rod and reel outfit (rod, reel, line, leader, rigged and ready) and in a two-handed version for swinging flies — both stocked here. There is a 6-piece travel model as well.
Moving up within Orvis: the Recon is the USA-made step up, and Helios D and F are the flagship. All on our racks — cast them side by side and the difference explains itself better than we can.
Warranty: the Orvis 25-Year Guarantee — same coverage as their most expensive rods. Original owner, proof of purchase may be required, modest processing fee on repairs. Their Interchangeable Parts Program can turn a broken tip around in about five business days.
Ed's Fly Shop, 432 E Main St, downtown Montrose, Colorado.
