When it comes to buying your first fly rod, the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod is your clear choice (pun 100% intended). The Orvis Clearwater Combo comes with a rod, reel, and fly line in an affordable fly rod outfit, or it is offered as a 4-piece singular fly rod that offers performance and value with the beginner angler in mind.
After extensive testing—dozens of days with this rod in our hands and the hands of clients, and hundreds of fish in the net—we confidently recommend the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod as the best beginner fly rod on the market.
This comprehensive review will explore why this rod stands out, where we believe it misses the mark (even if only slightly), and why it should be your go-to choice for starting your fly fishing journey.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Slackwater earns a commission for the referral if you decide to make a purchase through the links, but your price stays the same. Even if you click through to buy a fly rod and you end up buying a fly box, we earn a commission. We thank you for supporting Slackwater!
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
Orvis Clearwater Combo
We tested three different versions of the Clearwater fly rod and scored each one based on various criteria, with a maximum score of 60/60. Any score between 40 and 50 is considered really good, and we were pleased to see that all three models tested landed in that range.
Skip to the scorecard to learn how all models ranked in the 12 categories.
Scorecard Summary:
| 9-foot, 4-weight | 9-foot, 5-weight | 9.5-foot, 6-weight | |
| Score | 44/60 | 47/60 | 43/60 |
| Check Price at Orvis | Check Price at Orvis | Check Price at Orvis |
About The Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
Specifications
- Model: Orvis Clearwater
- Rod Pieces: 4
- Color: Black chrome with with accents
- Rod Material: Graphite
- Reel Seat: Full black nickel aluminum
- Guides: Chrome snake and stopping guide with ceramic insert
- Comes w/ Rod Tube: Yes, nylon-covered tube.
- Made in USA: No
- Available in a Fly Rod Outfit: Yes, the Orvis Clearwater Combo
- Orvis Clearwater Combo Specs: Clearwater Fly Rod, Clearwater Fly Reel, Fly Line & Backing, Rod Tube
Reasons to Buy:
Reasons to Avoid
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Review
In our review, we detail why the Clearwater is a great fly rod for beginners, including specifics on where we’ve tested it, where it performs best, and where we wish it was better.
Review Summary: Unmatched Performance for the Price
The Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod is designed with the beginner fly fisher in mind, yet it is built to be a rod that lives in your gear collection for years as you expand your fly rod quiver.
Simply put, it is a beginner fly rod at a beginner price point, but it performs similarly to a performance fly rod in several ways.
One of the standout features is its medium-fast action, which makes casting smooth and fun. Medium-fast or fast action is perfect for beginners as it helps to develop proper casting techniques without the frustration of an overly flexible rod.
As your casting stroke develops, you’ll appreciate the smoothness of the rod as it bends deeper than other rods when casting and feels great when hooking a fish. Further, the rod crisply returns into a straight position after each cast, lending itself to being an accurate fly fishing tool.
-
The Best Beginner Fly Reels of 2024
Choosing the right fly reel as a beginner is just as crucial as the right fly rod. While there are several other fly fishing essentials all anglers need, this article aims to shed light […]
Orvis claims this is “hands down the best fly rod for the money.” We agree.
Compared to other beginner fly rods (Orvis Encounter, Redington Path, and the Echo Lift), we believe that the Clearwater will be a rod you’ll own for much longer, resulting in more fish caught and less money spent on new gear over time.
In addition to being a great rod for beginners, advanced anglers also use the Clearwater rod as a backup to other performance rods in our quiver.
Simply put, the Clearwater rod catches fish, and we don’t get tired of using it like we do with other beginner rods.
Furthermore, we love that anglers have the option of buying the Orvis Clearwater Combo as a complete fly rod outfit including a rod, reel, and fly line. The combo is priced at just over $400 and is an incredibly high value.
How & Where We Did Our Testing
During our testing of the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod, we used the following sizes in varying applications.
- 9-foot, 4-weight (score 44/60)
- 9-foot, 5-weight (score 47/60)
- 9.5-foot, 6-weight (score (43/60)
We fished in various environments, including small creeks, medium-sized trout streams, and on drift boats on the Arkansas River and Gunnison River in central Colorado.
After testing, we scored each model of the Clearwater in twelve distinct categories. Learn more about our scoring here.
Where the Clearwater Fly Rod shined:
The rod performed exceptionally well in all these scenarios, proving its versatility and reliability.
Technical Aspects: Weight, Accuracy, & Strength
Lightweight Construction | Less Angler Fatigue
One of the key advantages of the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod is its lightweight construction. This feature significantly reduces angler fatigue, allowing you to fish for extended periods without discomfort.
After hours of casting a “cheap rod,” an angler will notice their shoulder is tired, and their casts are less accurate. We have noticed that the Clearwater allows us to fish for extended periods due to its lightweight graphite construction.
In comparison to other beginner fly rods (Orvis Encounter, Redington Path, and the Echo Lift), we felt like the physical weight of the Clearwater made casting more enjoyable and less tiring after hours of fishing.
Yes, there is a noticeable difference in weight compared to performance rods such as the Helios from Orvis or the Centric from Scott. But the Helios and the Centric are ~$1,000 rods, and you should expect them to be lighter and better.
Orvis rarely discloses the actual weight of its products on its website, so it’s challenging to do a side-by-side comparison without a scale. However, the Clearwater fly rod is clearly lighter in hand than many of its beginner fly rod counterparts.
Accuracy Comparable to Higher-End Rods
The rod’s accuracy in casting is impressive for a rod costing around $250.
Accuracy in casting is EVERYTHING in fly fishing, as it ensures that your flies land precisely where you want them. When an angler requires fewer casts to get their flies in the strike zone, they will, statistically speaking, catch more fish.
This accuracy is particularly beneficial for beginners who are still honing their casting skills.
A rod’s accuracy comes from its ability to flex when it’s being loaded for a cast and crisply return to a straight rod upon termination of one’s casting stroke.
If you practice casting with the Clearwater Rod alongside beginner rods from Redington, Echo, etc, you’ll notice a stark difference in how quickly the Clearwater recovers compared to its counterparts.
This quick and crisp recovery leads to accurate casts with less effort.
In our attempt to quantify the Clearwater rod’s accuracy, we cast single dry flies at 20-40 feet at targets in the river and compared how it felt to rods that were less expensive and more expensive.
The Clearwater was leaps and bounds more accurate than other beginner fly rods and not too far off the accuracy of a performance rod. Specifically, we compared the Clearwater to the Orvis Helios and the Scott Centric.
If you need to verify this for yourself, stop by an Orvis-endorsed fly shop, and they’ll let you practice casting the rods in their lineup.
Strength: Enough to Get the Job Done
From a strength and stiffness perspective, it has no problem turning over long, nymph rigs with a proper roll cast. Further, if big mends are needed, the rod will swiftly pick up the line off the water to help perfect your drift.
Rods without this stiffness characteristic are not necessarily bad rods, but they are more often bad rods for beginners.
We like rods that are stiff and strong enough to lift heavy rigs, as this allows beginners to focus more on the other technical aspects of achieving good drifts.
Because it is stiffer (especially in the butt section and third section), it can also handle larger fish. But its second and tip sections are also delicate enough to present dry flies perfectly and gently fight fish.
As a whole, the Clearwater rod is somewhat of a do-it-all, complete-package fly rod. This is a good thing for beginners!
Clearwater Rod for Intermediate and Advanced Anglers
As professional fly fishers, we generally have invested enough into our careers to justify the use of higher-end performance rods from companies such as Scott, Orvis, and Sage. Yes, these rods are expensive, but they are valued by people who fly fish 5-days a week or more.
However, we commonly take a Clearwater rod as our backup when our performance rods are out of commission.
Why? Because it is nearly as accurate as a $500 or $900 rod and handles various fishing situations easily.
Further, there are times when high-end performance rods simply aren’t necessary to do the job.
We see other professional anglers taking the same approach regularly, with an Orvis Clearwater always stored in the back of their truck for just-in-case situations.
Additionally, we like this rod for fly fishing in the winter, when the risks of breaking your rod due to ice are exemplified. The Clearwater rod’s lower price point, along with Orvis’ quick turnaround time to get you a new rod section compared to higher-end performance rods, makes it a lot more approachable in the winter.
Shop for the best beginner fly fishing gear
Orvis
Clearwater Combo
Simms Freestone Pack
Aventik Floating Net
Ventures Fly Co Assortment
Orvis Clearwater Waders
Tacky Pescador Fly Box
Versatile and Adaptable
The Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod excels in various fishing techniques, including dry flies, nymph rigs, and streamers. This versatility means that the rod will continue to meet your needs as you progress in your fly fishing journey.
Whether you’re targeting trout in small streams or casting larger flies from a drift boat, the rod can handle it all.
We find these qualities particularly important to beginner fly fishers because it is rare that they will immediately own more than one rod.
Read more about the Clearwater’s versatility in our scoring of the rods below.
Orvis’ Customer Service and Warranty
When investing in a fly rod, it’s essential to consider the manufacturer’s customer service and warranty.
Orvis stands out in this regard, offering exceptional customer service and a 25-year warranty on the Clearwater rod.
This long-term warranty provides peace of mind, knowing your investment is protected. Should you encounter any issues, Orvis’s renowned customer service will ensure you receive the necessary support and assistance.
How do we know their warranty is awesome? Because we’ve accidentally broken plenty of rods.
After an accident, we would simply call Orvis’s repair department or go through the repair process on their site to get a replacement section, and they would have us back to fishing in no time.
How We Broke Our Clearwater Rods Over the Years
- Stepping on them x2 (once us, once a client)
- Slamming it in the car door x1
- Trying to get a rig unstuck from a tree x1
- Slipping on some rocks and falling on the rod x1
All breaks were utterly our fault!
Fortunately, Orvis’ no-questions-asked policy made requesting a rod repair or replacement easy and less embarrassing.
It’s important to note that Orvis charges a minimal fee to get you a replacement rod section.
Aesthetics & Visual Appeal
The Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod performs well and looks good. The graphite blanks are black chrome with white accents, the guides are chrome, and the reel seat is black nickel aluminum.
The rod also comes with a bomber rod tube with plenty of padding, ensuring your gear stays protected during transport.
Does the appearance of a fly rod matter? From a technical standpoint (i.e., its ability to cast and catch fish), it doesn’t.
But gear that looks good makes you feel good, so we consider it something positive to note.
Compared to other beginner fly rods, we’re not sure there is a better-looking rod available. Compared to performance fly rods (generally costing over $500), it is slightly less attractive. But hey, it’s a beginner fly rod, so we’re ok with it.
Considerations and Drawbacks
While the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod has numerous strengths, it’s important to note a couple of minor drawbacks.
(1) Lack of Hook-Keeper
The rod does not have a hook-keeper, which can make moving up and down the stream with the rod rigged up a bit more cumbersome.
We’ve read that Orvis thinks half of all anglers don’t care for a hook-keep feature. We find that untrue, especially for beginner fly fishers. Does the lack of a hook-keeper make the rod perform less well? No, but it is a bit annoying.
So, please, Orvis, hear our call and install a hook keeper on the Clearwater Rods.
(2) Cork Handle Chips
The cork deteriorates slowly over time. Our cork has chipped in several locations over time, primarily because clients store their hook by lodging it into the handle (i.e., why a beginner fly rod should have a hook-keeper!).
The handle chipping has not impacted the rod’s performance (yet) but is annoying from an aesthetic perspective. Luckily, we’re confident Orvis will help us with a warranty claim when it’s time for a replacement or repair.
(3) Costs More than Other Beginner Fly Rods
It is not the least expensive fly rod for beginners, priced at around $250 for the rod and $400 for the fly rod outfit (Clearwater rod, clearwater reel, and fly line). True statement: You can get a beginner fly rod for less.
However, the Clearwater rod is an excellent tool for the price, and any rod of lesser quality should be passed on.
Scoring The Orvis Clearwater
We tested three different Clearwater rod sizes in various circumstances and situations. We gave each one a score on a scale of 1-5 for the following criteria:
- Delicate & accurate casting at 20-30 feet.
- Accuracy casting at 40+ feet.
- Roll cast heavy double-nymph rigs with ease.
- Ability to high-stick nymph rigs.
- Make ~30 ft casts into the wind.
- Land fish over 16 inches.
- Delicacy to play small fish (under 12 inches).
- Easy for a child to cast.
- Ability to minimize fatigue while fishing for 2+ hours.
- Value for the price.
- Warranty and customer service from the manufacturer.
- Aesthetics and Visual Appeal
At the end of this section, we have compiled a scorecard, rating each rod.
9-foot, 4-weight Orvis Clearwater
We tested the 9-foot, 4-weight model on small and medium-sized trout streams in Central Colorado and along the front range north of Denver. This model could handle medium-sized trout on dry flies and light-dry dropper rigs.
Our favorite place to use the 9-foot, 4-weight size is on creeks measuring 20-30 feet wide, with trout between 10 and 16 inches long. It can certainly work for larger fish, but it might get challenging for beginners when a more robust fish is hooked.
Further, the 9-foot, 4-weight version is best for days without wind. For windy applications, a 5-weight or 6-weight will be more enjoyable. When we encountered wind in some open prairie situations, even anglers with a strong casting stroke were challenged. But when the wind died down, flies were cast with ease.
When this rod was put in children’s hands, it performed very well, as a lighter rod is more manageable for kids to handle. During many outings with kids under 60 lbs, they all caught fish with this rod on small creeks.
We generally recommend that children under 10 begin fly fishing with a 9-foot or 8.5-foot, 4-weight for their enjoyment and ability to succeed on the water.
And if we had only one size to choose from, it would be the 8.5-foot, 4-weight.
This rod did ok with nymph rigs but took more effort when attempting to roll cast a double nymph rig with a heavy bobber. It is best used for light-nymph rigs, including dry-dropper setups.
From an angler fatigue standpoint, it performs very well for the price. It is light, nimble, and comfortable to fish with.
9-foot, 5-weight Orvis Clearwater
The 9-foot, 5-weight Clearwater has been our go-to client rod when fishing with beginners. This rod size is the most versatile rod in the line-up.
It is an excellent all-around fly rod for beginners due to its medium-fast action, length, and ability to pick up line for a quick mend.
The 5-weight rod’s sweet spot is when you need flexibility regarding the type of fly fishing you’re doing and the size of the river. In Colorado, this rod size is perfect for most applications.
Casting dry flies? Did it easily. We cast single and double dry fly rigs at ~25 feet and put the flies exactly where we wanted them. Roll casting double-nymph rigs? Yeah, it did that well too. The backbone (stiffness) of a 5-weight compared to a 4-weight lifted flies at the end of their drift with ease and rolled right back upstream.
As far as use from a small child, we found the rod to be a bit too heavy for sustained casting and enjoyment.
It was manageable for kids for short stints (under 15 minutes), but because we want kids to have fun and want to keep fishing, we believe the 4-weight performed better.
From an adult angler fatigue perspective, we found this rod to be very good for its price. Yes, a higher-end rod will lead to less fatigue over the course of several hours. However, for $250, we’re not sure there’s a better fly rod to keep you feeling fresh.
When casting into the wind, the 5-weight was noticeably easier to push our flies than with the 4-weight. Still, we’d opt for a heavier rod if we were going to fish in the windy regularly.
9.5-foot, 6-weight Orvis Clearwater
The 9.5-foot, 6-weight is a dream for a drift boat setup. Its length allows anglers to high-stick easily and mend less often.
When mending is required, this rod’s length and stiffness make it easy for even a beginner angler to handle. And in the wind, the rod was wonderful. Would a 7-weight do even better in the wind? Probably. But we didn’t test it.
Where was this rod great?
- From a drift boat.
- High-sticking heavy nymph rigs.
- In windy conditions on rivers lacking cover (i.e., rivers in the open plains).
- When targeting very large fish.
- Making long casts over 30 feet
Where was this rod just “okay?”
- When exclusively dry fly fishing — it lacked the delicacy other rods had.
- When fishing for a long time. It’s a heavier, longer rod, and it may make you tired over time.
Where was this rod bad?
- In tight quarters on very small creeks, targeting smaller fish.
- In the hands of a small child.
Overall, it was still a versatile rod because it can be used in most fly fishing circumstances.
If you fish from a boat regularly and two fly rods are in your budget, a 9-foot, 5-weight rod for dry flies and medium/light nymph rigs, along with a 9.5-foot, 6-weight rod for heavy nymph rigs, windy days, and streamers, is a great combination of rods for drift boat fishing
Orvis Clearwater Scorecard
We scored each fly rod model on a scale of 1-5, with the higher the score meaning it performed better. A perfect score is 60. *
| 9-foot, 4-weight Check price | 9-foot, 5-weight Check price | 9.5-foot, 6 weight Check price | |
| Accuracy at 20-30 ft | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Accuracy at 40+ feet | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Roll cast heavy nymph rigs | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| High-stick nymph rigs | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Make ~30 ft casts into the wind | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Ability to land fish over 16 inches | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Can play small fish (< 12 inches) | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Easy for a child to use | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Ability to minimize angler fatigue | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Value for its price | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Warranty & Customer Service | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Aesthetics & Visual Appeal | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| COMPOSITE SCORE | 44 | 47 | 43 |
* Scorecard Disclosure
It’s important to note that these scores are based on our opinion of how the Clearwater rod compares to all fly rods we’ve tested over the years, not just compared to other beginner fly rods. As such, a $900 performance fly rod would most likely score higher in all categories purely based on the enhanced technology that goes into its manufacturing.
If we were to compare the Clearwater rods only to other beginner fly rods, the numerical scores would likely be higher due to the product’s superiority.
A perfect score is 60, but we don’t think there is a rod in existence that would score that well because most rods are designed for specific purposes and for anglers with specific budgetary constraints.
As a beginner, you’re looking for the rod with the most versatility that scores as well as possible in as many categories as possible. Any rod ranking between 40 and 50 is a good rod.
Orvis Clearwater Combo: Considerations for a Fly Rod Outfit
We love the Clearwater Fly Rod as a stand-alone rod that you can customize with a reel of your choice or as a fly rod outfit that comes with a reel and a fly line.
At around $400, it is challenging to beat what you get in the Orvice Clearwater combo package.
Upsides to a fly rod outfit include:
- You have all you need for your rod setup immediately, including a reel and a fly line.
- You typically save money by bundling the gear together.
- All products are made by one company, making it less cumbersome for warranty claims.
Downsides to a fly rod outfit include:
- There is less customization opportunity for the reel and fly line (if colors are important).
- Inability to try other brands and learn what you like/don’t like.
About the Orvis Clearwater Combo
If making the leap to buy all that you need in one fell swoop, we like the Orvis Clearwater Combo for a solid beginner fly fishing setup.
The Clearwater combo includes the following:
- Clearwater Fly Rod
- Clearwater II Fly Reel
- Clearwater Fly Line
- 75 yards of 20-lb Dacron Backing
- Rod Tube
As a whole, we like other reels better than the one that comes with the Orvis Clearwater combo. However, as a complete fly rod outfit, we cannot argue the value for the price point.
Orvis Clearwater Rod Length & Weight
For those new to fly fishing or those who are going to be targeting trout in most western trout streams, we recommend the 9-foot, 5-weight rod for all-around fly fishing for trout. This model perfectly balances power and finesse, making it ideal for various fishing conditions in most trout streams.
Remember, versatility as a beginner angler is crucial!
If you primarily fish smaller streams, are mainly into dry fly fishing, or will be letting a child use the rod, the 9-foot, 4-weight rod is the best choice.
The lighter weight offers an extra “touch” and feel when detecting strikes from smaller fish and is more delicate when casting dry flies.
Additionally, a 4-weight will also make smaller fish feel larger as the rod will bend more when you’re hooked up.
For anglers who do a lot of drift-boat float fishing, the 9.5-foot, 6-weight rod is highly recommended. Its length and weight make high-sticking easy, allowing for effortless line mending. Further, it will handle heavy nymph rigs or streamer rigs well on calm or windy days.
Other Fly Rod Size Recommendations
If the 4-weight, 5-weight, or 6-weight recommendations above don’t fit your specific needs, check out the list below for our other fly rod size recommendations.
- 10-foot, 2-weight: Affordable option for beginner euro-nymphing tactics.
- 7.5-foot, 3-weight: Great for small stream fishing with dry flies.
- 8.5-foot, 4-weight: Excellent rod for kids, dry fly fishing, or medium-small trout streams.
- 10-foot, 4-weight: Excels when high-stick nymphing and big mends are necessary.
- 9-foot, 7-weight: Fishing in the wind on lakes or large rivers.
- 9-foot, 8/9/10-weight: Entry-level fly rod for large species in salt-water applications.
Best Fly Reels for the Clearwater Fly Rod
A good fly reel to accompany the Clearwater fly rod is one that a reputable company makes, contains a solid warranty, and balances out your rod when casting.
The truth is, unfortunately, that entry-level-price fly reels are going to break sooner than ones that cost a bit more.
Given the choice, we always advocate for a fully machined fly reel. These reels not only outperform others over time but can also endure getting banged up when accidentally dropped or thrown into the back of your pickup.
However, we understand that most fully machined reels start above $200, which might not fit your budget. And because we simply cannot consciously recommend a fly reel costing less than $75 (because we guarantee they will break too soon), we are recommending reels that all cost less than $200 but will also perform for many years if cared for properly.
Below are three solid reels we’ve owned and fished with that will do the job well for any beginner fly fisher. None of them are fully-machined. However, each one is die-cast, which is second best.
Each reel is affordable, made by good companies, and has been tested rigorously when guiding clients on central Colorado trout streams.
If buying a reel separate from the rod is not an option for you, we recommend considering the Orvis Clearwater Combo that is sold as a fly rod outfit.
Lamson Liquid S
Orvis Clearwater
Redington Run
Conclusion
Per our testing and years of experience with the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod, we believe it is the best fly fishing rod for beginners, offering a combination of performance, versatility, and value that is hard to beat.
Its medium-fast action, lightweight construction, and exceptional accuracy make it an excellent choice for novice anglers. Additionally rod’s ability to handle various fishing techniques will remain valuable as you gain experience and confidence in your fly fishing abilities.
Orvis’s commitment to customer service and their 25-year warranty further enhance the appeal of the Clearwater rod, assuring that your investment is protected.
And despite a couple of minor drawbacks, the Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod’s overall benefits far outweigh any negatives.
Thanks for reading, and feel free to reach out with any questions via email at info@slackwaterco.com.
As your go-to, reliable resource for honest and fair fly fishing gear reviews, Slackwater thanks you for your support of this project.
Should you decide to purchase the Clearwater Fly Rod, we’d appreciate it if you did so through one of the links on our page. When you buy the product through one of these links, the price stays the same for you, but we will earn a small commission from the sale.
These commissions help fund this project and enable us to continue providing you with the best gear reviews!
Thanks again, and happy fishing!