Wow, where to start. Orvis is, by all accounts, a terrific company. The little that I've dealt with their customer service, it's been polite and courteous. They make (or, have made for them more often than not) a wide variety of rods, reels, lines, etc... I like their wonderlines, which are made by SA. Have a net from them that I like as well. But their rods...
I have no idea how a company of such repute, whose rods are made in the US, makes, on the whole, such an unreliable line of rods. I've seen more broken Orvis rods on the water, than all other brands combined. My fishing partner has returned the same rod THREE times due to breakage. Each time, the rod was up-graded, and each time, snap! The TLS Power Matrix that they sent him had a reel seat that came unglued. C'mon, Devcon Epoxy is almost bullet-proof, so what happened? He's on a T3 right now, I'll keep you posted. I have another friend who's had an equally bad time with their rods. He also is now on a T3. It casts beautifully, and looks nice too, but I honestly wouldn't trust it on a long trip without a suitable back-up rod, at which time, it's not worth it. It strikes me that when Sage started coming to the forefront in rod technology, and then Loomis came around, that orvis just dug in it's heels, as if to say, "We're Orvis, and people will ALWAYS buy from us!" They were the last premium rod company to sell their top line rods unsanded, and were the last to use generation II, and then generation III graphite as well. Why? The shame of it is, there were a lot of "Orvis" shops that just couldn't compete, due to their allegiance to orvis rods and gear. I beleive tha their trout rods are probably OK, but I would not take an Orvis to the salt, or for steelhead, etc... Just my opinion, but I knpw pf quite a few folks who would agree. Tight lines!

Thanks for your testimonial on Orvis rods.

I would like you to give our rods a try so that we can earn your valuable testimonial.

Let me know if you would like to "test" one.

http://www.xcaliburrods.com

Fish long and prosper,

John Miao
Owner
xcaliburrods.com

I have used much fishing gear over the years from many manufacturers and have yet to have an Orvis problem I did not create myself.

I broke a couple of rods and they were quickly replaced. I have also returned a couple of items I ordered, tried and for my own reasons (fit, dislike, etc) returned them only to receive full refunds.

Now I look for a good bonefish outfit and Orvis is one of the suppliers I am considering without any question of quality.

Quality control problems can affect all products but its what happens next that is most important.

I do not work for Orvis but would recommend them to anyone.

I bought an Orvis T3 4-weight last year, and am yet to have a problem with it. I love the delicate presentation it delivers. The action is smooth, but not sloppy. I would recommend this rod to anyone. I also have a friend that has an Orvis 3-weight and he loves his as well. They are great rods.

Whow, very surprised to hear that....my very first fly rod was an Orvis, and I still have it and use it. I broke a nice one that my wife bought me for my birthday, but it was entirely my fault (slipped on a rock like an idiot and somehow landed on the tip). Other than that, my Orvis rods have been great and I've caught lots of nice 'bows and brookies....

I feel that a reply to the first message is in need. I am an avid fly fisherman and have been for 15 years. I fish predominantly for large species in rivers, such as King Salmon, Steelhead, Koho, and when I cannot find them I am after Large Mouth Bass, Pike, and when desperate will fish for the local abundant trout (living in UT has its advantage). I have a stable of Orvis rods (3wt, 4wt, 5wt, 6wt, 7wt spey, 8wt, and 9wt spey. I have been fishing my 9ft 8wt trident for Kings (Yes an 8wt) and have landed well over 60 fish on that rod, from 15-42 lbs, most 20-25. I have a friend who fishes more than I do, and who uses exclusively Orvis rods, and has well over 100 Kings landed on a 9wt Trident. I have NEVER broken a rod on a fish, a cast, or anything other than the 400 lb door of my F250 Ford Super duty (another story)... I have fished with other rods, no thanks, Orvis is a FINE compay making very very good rods. In fact, one of the loval shops has a guide who specializes in Spey casting and who I took a few lessons from. He liked my Orvis so much, the shop started to carry that rod. I have also taken my 8wt Steelhead fishing and landed 4-5 fish on it, with equal number lost, again, never a problem (fish to 25 inches). Bassfishing, in HEAVY cover, casting dinner plate bass bugs in wind and yanking 4-6 lb large mouth out of WEEDS, never broke a rod, never broke one casting, never seen one break. How about fishing for Carp with a 5wt in heavy cover, this is a a big time challenge for a rod of this size, and I admit, I am pushing it... but I have caught many 4-7 lb carp on my 5 wt on the fly, this one is an Orvis Trident 9 ft 5wt 2 piece, even got afew on my 4 wt 4 piece travel rod. I cannot tell you how many days I have fished these rods (used to get out over 70 days a year), they are SOLID. I am not a guide, but I have FISHED these rods. If you do not know how to cast, and are yanking on a set line, trying to land a 30 lb fish at your feet on a tight line, or do not know how to play a large fish, you will break rods, you will break ANY rod, many times. If your a guide and clients break rods, was it the rod or a beginner you put on a large fish who did not know what to do? In my experience, which I believe is extensive, Orvis rods hold up. My 8wt is now 10 years old and still looks beautiful. The cork is very very well broken in and I love it. Just my opinion, but everyone gets one.

I'm a huge Orvis fan (7 rods in total, and I use them all)... T3's, Trident TL, Trident, Silver Label, Power matrix... have them all. This said, I will admit that the rods are much more fragile than their competition (I also have fished with Sage and Winston). I've never had a Sage break on me, but I have had Orvis repair at least 5 of my rods. Their customer service is exceptional and I've had them turn rods around for me in a week when I was about to travel. So, given the fragility of the product, it has never prevented me from fishing!! I will continue to be a dedicated Orvis client, but you should be aware that there is a high likelhood you will be using their customer service for repair if you use their products.

I have not tried the Zero Gravity rods, but plan to pick on up in the next year. Any other recommendations for manufacturers besides Orvis, Sage or Winston would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. While I am not a guide, I take friends and co-workers fly fishing all the time on the Yakima.. Any product recommendations are always appreciated..

Orvis rods are fragile. I bought a PM10 when it was the top-of-line rod. It broke three times, and none of the times were my fault. The first two times the store where I purchased the rod replaced it for the exact rod. However, recently the rod broke again. I sent it to Orvis, and they replaced it with a T3.

The T3 is heavier and stiffer. It also does not balance well with my CFO reel.

I called customer service. Although they were courteous, they gave me a lot of misinformation,(for instance, but not limited to, my rod was never top-of-line; after I proved it, Orvis conceded that point). Customer service was also wrong when comparing the weight and flex.

Nonetheless, Orvis customer service ended the conversation ensuring me that a rod specialist would contact me, and they gave me the rod specialist email address. The email address was not correct, and the rod specialist never called.

Beware, my PM10 cost the same as a Zero G does today if you adjust for "present day value" of the price. You are paying for the warranty. The customer as a right to be compensated properly. If you buy a top-of-line Zero G today, Orvis will replace it with whichever rod they wish to dispose of.

I have returned rods to Sage for a brake that was my fault. I must say I was more satisfied with Sage. I do not trust Orvis.