Orvis Hydros Fly Reels- Enclosed Carbon Disc Drag For Less Than $275

Available February 2010. There is not another true large arbor, big game reel on the market that carries this disc drag performance at a price starting under $200. It is unheard of until now. The new Hydros Reel Series features a sealed drag surface that increases total drag surface by model- the larger the reel, the larger the drag surface and the more resistance to handle larger fish. Using stacked carbon washers in a totally sealed configuration, controlled by a positive click adjustment system, the NEW Hydros can be fine tuned to handle any fish from a trout to a tuna with sustained and infinitely durable drag pressure. The large arbor multiplies retrieval rates, eliminates line coil, and significantly reduces fatigue resulting from multiple hook-ups. Available in 3 bold colors with a Mirage handle style. Power, price, and performance equal perfection.

Pre-order now and save 10% on your next order.      Link To Casters Online Fly Shop

Fly Rod 101- The Road to the Orvis Access Fly Rod

The Orvis Company has over 150 years of rod making tradition combined with the most innovative technology available in the world today. Regardless if you believe it or not, Orvis is the leading innovator in the fly rod market. The introduction of the Helios fly rod series several years ago has paved the way for a rod design revolution. Many devout Sage, Winston, Loomis and Scott users have added a Helios or 2 to their rod collections. Why? They perform better than they are suppose to perform.

Recent breakthroughs in fiber/resin combination's by a US military contractor has provided Orvis with its raw materials to allow rod designers to create rods that are ultra-lightweight, responsive, crisp and powerful; yet, extremely durable. This technology is only found in the United States which means all the rods mentioned are made by Master craftspeople in Manchester, Vermont.

Historically, even “100% graphite” rods were almost 50% fiberglass. Rod manufacturers were using 100% graphite for the power fibers of the rod, but an equal amount of cross-weave fiberglass scrim was rolled into the blank (scrim is necessary for hoop strength, or keeping the hollow rod tube from collapsing under stress as the rod bends). Was ignoring this fiberglass misleading? No more than ignoring the epoxy and paint on the outside of a rod, or the resin that held the graphite together. A 100% graphite rod would merely be like a hank of loose hair in your hand. Orvis’ first modern breakthrough in graphite rods was the T-3 rod. Heavier, more brittle epoxy resins used to hold the graphite fibers were replaced with lighter, more durable thermoplastic resins, which encased the fibers instead of just sticking to them like epoxy. Next were the Zero Gravity rods, where the cross-weave fiberglass/epoxy scrim was replaced by a unidirectional graphite/epoxy scrim. This made rods lighter and more durable. Finally, the Helios, which replaces the graphite/epoxy scrim with unidirectional graphite/thermoplastic scrim. The Orvis Company

Then came the Hydros. The world's second lightest fly rod. Using graphite design technology found in the award winning Helios, the Hydros rods have similar taper designs but are finished with lightweight chrome snake guides, brushed and anodized two-tone skeletal reel seats, and super-grade cork handles. An exceptional rod in the $500 class.

The Mother-ship has done it again. Orvis has designed and created a mid priced fly rod that is the lightest in its class and at an even better value. The end result is the Access Series of fly rods. They utilize the "Exclusive Load Ratio" developed by Orvis rod designers for the Helios and Hydros rods, which in layman's terms produces a rod that feels powerful yet lively when casting and even playing a fish. I have field tested these rods for Orvis and must say they are beautiful to fish with. This is even in comparison to the Helios which is all I've fished with since their inception several years back.

Weight and price comparison chart for equivalent rods:
Model                                     Weight           Price 
Orvis Access 905-4                    2.5             $350.00
Sage VT2 590-4                         3.3             $475.00
St Croix Legend Ultra 905.4        3.6            $340.00
Temple Fork Axiom 05 904 A     3.9            $249.95  

The price is kept in a very reasonable range because the new process allows them to build a rod with epoxy resins toughened with a small amount of thermoplastics instead of the more expensive thermoplastic resins throughout, yet still maintaining superior strength. The tapers are a result of a mixture of high- and intermediate-modulus carbon fiber materials, along with precise placement of scrim (the material that provides hoop strength for the rods) of various types and at various angles along the rods.  

Access rods are completely new, from raw materials to tapers to hardware. Blanks are a deep glowing root beer color, with matching woven carbon reel seat and champagne aluminum hardware. Cork is a new super-grade cork, some of the finest we’ve seen in years. Guides are hard chrome. Each rod comes with a Safe Passage Rod Carrying Case. The Orvis Company

Available this fall, the Orvis Access fly rods are the next page in Orvis' book of fly rod design. Pre-order an Access (or order a Helios or Hydros) from Casters Fly Shop now and receive a FREE Wonderline; plus, FREE SHIPPING in the Continental United States and NO SALES TAX when ordered and shipped outside of North Carolina. International shipping charges will be applied.

Casters Online Fly Shop

Invasive Species- Do Your Part

“Pathways” describes the modes by which invasive species move from one place to another. These pathways can be natural, as when species are moved on ocean currents, wind currents, or carried by an animal from one place to the next. At the same time, some pathways are human induced and can be intentional or unintentional. Asian carp, didymo, snakeheads, zebra mussels, etc.. Regardless of what they are and how they were transmitted, anglers need to do their part to help prevent the spread of such species from one waterway to the next.

Didymosphenia geminata, otherwise known as "rock snot", is one invader that is spreading like wildfire in our rivers and streams. Conservation groups, like FFF and Trout Unlimited, are trying to do their part to help prevent the spread of such invasives, including this single celled algae, from one waterway to the next. Its unfortunate but fly fisherman seem to be bearing the brunt of the criticism over the spread of invasives. 

Lately, there has been a huge push for a ban on felt soled wading boots but it is going to be difficult to implement a government regulated ban on felt soles, as New Zealand and parts of Alaska have implemented. Felt is a problem, but is it really the only part of an anglers wading system that harbors the spores of these aquatic hitchhikers? I think not but I'm not a scientist. It seems to me that the stitches, fabrics, laces, creases and crevices (that come with attached gravel guards), are perfect places for these little creatures to hide out.

Therefore, I believe more has to be done than just calling for a felt sole ban. What I'm concerned about is that a switch over to rubber will give anglers a false sense of security. Its human nature. Many will become apathetic and less vigilant in inspecting, and cleaning their gear because they consciously or subconsciously think that their gear is safe. Call me a pessimist but think about it.

Orvis' stance on the matter is far more conducive to nipping at the problem at hand. All your gear needs to be inspected, cleaned, and dried, regardless of your soles.  Here's what Orvis has to say about the issue:

Invasive species are a real threat to our fisheries across the globe and it’s encouraging that all companies that manufacture wading gear are looking at alternatives to felt soles and other fabrics that prevent these aquatic hitchhikers from moving from one place to another. Orvis is working on this problem from many directions, and below is an explanation and clarification of their position on the subject.

Are felt soles becoming obsolete? Will I have to throw away my felt-soled wading shoes? Should I even buy a pair of felt-soled wading shoes or waders?

There is no doubt that felt, along with porous fabrics in wading shoes and laces, help transport invasive species without proper care. However, if you always fish the same watershed, felt soles are not a problem. Aquatic birds and mammals transport far more spores that you can on your felt soles. Thus, you can keep your felt-soled waders reserved for a specific watershed. In addition, you can greatly minimize the threat by cleaning, drying, and inspecting your felt soles after each fishing trip. Trout Unlimited has called for a ban on selling and producing felt-soled wading shoes by 2011 but it’s doubtful that we’ll see a wholesale, government-regulated domestic ban on felt soles like the ban New Zealand has implemented, anytime soon. So, if you are used to the idea of wearing felt soles and will use them on the same watershed, rest assured your current or future felt-soled wading shoes won’t be obsolete.

What is Orvis doing for the future?

In their continuing effort to be an industry leader, Orvis has partnered with Vibram to develop the new EcoTraX™ wading boot outsole. The sole has been added to a new wading boot, as well as, some of the existing styles, creating the River Guard series of wading products. Using Vibram’s® innovative Idrogrip compound, which offers 30% better grip on wet surfaces, Orvis created an exclusive tread pattern that offers a high percentage of sharp leading edges for maximum grip while helping to keep the pattern clean of mud and debris. Additionally, by incorporating tungsten-carbide screw-in studs, anglers can achieve a level of grip that is comparable to the felt-soled boots they have used for years. This sole was designed primarily to help mitigate the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) such as didymo, mud snails and the whirling disease spores. While the sole is designed not pick up excessive amounts of stream debris it is still important that anglers follow a few basic steps to help reduce the chance of spreading aquatic hitchhikers.
1. Remove all mud and vegetation from your equipment prior to leaving your fishing location.
2. Eliminate as much water from gear as possible before transporting.
3. Clean all your equipment with hot water (>104°F/40°C).
4. Thoroughly dry all your gear before entering a new body of water.

What about chemical equipment?

While true that some chemical treats, such as 409 and chlorine bleach, will kill ANS like mud snails and didymo, they are harsh on equipment and harmful to the environment. Can you imagine what fishing access sites, riparian zones and river water would look and smell like if everyone got out of the water and doused their gear in 409 and bleach? For more information on ANS and what you can do to help stop the spread, visit www.orvis.com/invasivespecies.

Invasives are here and spreading faster than you can imagine so we all need to do what we can to help. You are also correct in assuming that rubber, by itself, isn't a safe alternative to felt. However, studded rubber boots are just as safe, if not more so. Not to mention, studded rubber soles wont collect snow like felt has the tendency to do. I always wanted to be 6'6" (for purposes of playing basketball) and the only time that I seem to reach that height is in the winter when there is snow along the streams edge.

Here are a few safe options that Orvis has put together for your wading pleasure.

Riverguard Ultralight Wading Boot

Riverguard Silver Label Bootfoot Waders