Joined: May 15, 2003 Posts: 888 Location: Portland, Maine
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject: ORVIS Zero Gravity Rod and Mach Large Arbor Reel Reviews
Post what you like about the ORVIS Zero Gravity Rod and/or the ORVIS Mach Arbor Reel. A post is all that is required to win. The winner will be chosen randomly and will win the ORVIS Zero Gravity Rod and the Mach Large Arbor Reel setup that was used to make the video. This is not the first Flies And Fins contest that the ORVIS company has sponsored. Click below to see a list of past winners and the products that ORVIS has given them.
[url]http://www.fliesandfins.com/forum8.html[/url]
Last edited by jeremy on Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:27 pm; edited 3 times in total
Joined: Feb 06, 2004 Posts: 131 Location: Naples, Fl
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 4:10 pm Post subject: Mach Reel
When Orvis first launched the Mach, Mike Holt of Fly Fishing Only Orvis Shop loaned me his to take to Florida for 2 weeks. Now, this was a reel that eventually had to have the drag redesigned, but during the first 2 days before it froze up, I was totally delighted with the reel's performance. It's strong, not too light and not too heavy. It has a positive feel to it and sounds great when big fish are taking line to the backing.
I'd love to own one and I plan to buy one for my next big game reel.
Marshall DeMott
www.flyanglersguide.com
P.S. I watched the impressive video ...so how do I... "Win this Rod"? Sadly, I have to return my new TLS Power Matrix 10-weight because the cork grip is not glued to the blank in a few spots and I can feel space between the cork and the blank. It would be sure nice to have a Zero Gravity 9-weight to take it's place.
Last Summer, I cast a Zero Gravity rod which the Orvis Rep brought to Mike's Casting Contest. The rod is exceptional in every way. It has fine workmanship and practically casts itself.
Joined: Dec 16, 2004 Posts: 172 Location: Syracuse, NY
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 4:16 pm Post subject: Mach LA
The Broflon drag system is one of the best I have had the pleasure of fishing with. It is also one of the lightest large arbor reels in its class. For the price, you would be hard pressed to find a better reel elsewhere.
Joined: May 15, 2003 Posts: 888 Location: Portland, Maine
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:59 pm Post subject: what i liked
what i like about the rod is the fact that its an eight weight and 4 pieces. makes it easy to bring on airplanes and perfectly suitable for many florida and carribean salt applications as well as steelhead and big trout applications out west or anywhere else in the world for that matter. also - it is VERY durable - built to last - and i am very tough on gear so that matters to me.
the reel is really smooth - also easy switch from right to left - no tools needed to switch spools - big drag knob - and 100% corrosion proof. and the price - very nice price.
also what alot of people don't realize is that ORVIS has been around since 1856 - imagine how many fly by night rod and reel companies have come and gone since then - imagine how many fads that have come and gone - yet - tORVIS stands the test of time and offers a great guarantee - seriously, for 100 years they have been providing 100% satisfaction guarantee. ---> so, through the years i have heard alot of guys says all sorts of things about all sorts of products and brands etc....many of those brands are not even in business anymore. so - when it comes to fly fishing purchases - i like to go with things that are tried and true and guaranteed. since 1856 says alot more than just 150 years of business. also, for me, it is kind of personal. my parents bought me my first fly rod and reel - and it was ORVIS. i thought it was the greatest thing. i took such good care of it and thought i had the best thing since sliced bread. so, aside from anything else - for me, the orvis name always invokes good memories.
Joined: Sep 19, 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Central Massachusetts, Between Quabbin and Wachusett
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:10 pm Post subject:
Orvis is apparently relating the performance of their new Mach series reels and Zero Gravity rods to the fundamentals of physics that the design teams used in creating these masterpieces.
If I remember correctly, the term 'mach' is the ratio of speed of a moving body to the speed of sound in a certain medium..........hmmmmmm, this sort of conjures up the sounds and images of the lightning speed of an aggressive rainbow in the water after a take?
Not sure of this but I am sure that my equipment could use an upgrade.
Joined: Feb 05, 2005 Posts: 85 Location: Syracuse, NY
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 9:45 am Post subject:
At one point during a recent steelhead outing, Joey handed me his rod and was off to assist Jeremy with a nice brown, or was it a steelhed? Which fish, I don't remember. What I do remember is the sweet Orvis rig. The Zero Gravity rod and Mach Series reel balanced perfectly in my hand and begged to be cast.
Before I could hand my own rod off to Waterwhippa, Joey was back to reclaim his rig.
I was left with the impression that the Zero G and Mach combo is as good as it gets.
My obsetion is steelhead in the samon river and suroundings and the mach reel would be a great advantage to land at least a few of them.The zero gravity rod i'm shure is a lot lighter rod than the one i own and would make a great match for the mach reel.Well my buddies would freak out if i'd win this orvis rod and reel.
Howdy!
I know nothing about this rod and reel set up, but can say that I have always stood by orvis gear. I Love the mid arbor reel for trout and salmon, and they're rods are an unbeleivable value, not just a couple of them, all of them.
The reel sound like a dream come true. We all know that you really do need to have a super smooth drag, and this seems just what the doctor ordered. Tight lines
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 9:55 pm Post subject: Orvis
I have owned pm-10's which I liked but had them replaced with TLS rods which I dislike. I have an odysey reel which has been sent back twice with drag issues. It needs to go back again as the foot comes loose. I really like the new reel but find it a bit pricey. Orvis rods tend to be soft which contradicts my fishing style. My brothers orvis also had isues with the cork and glue. He broke his new orvis rod in New York on a fish but that was his fault.
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:48 am Post subject: Zero Gravity
Ever since my first fly rod, I have been fishing Orvis Rods. I have been impressed with almost every aspect of their product, not to mention the awesome customer service the company provides. However, I have one gripe. Durability. In the last 4 years I have broke 4 TLS rods under normal fishing conditions. It is like a curse! I have wanted to try one of there other rod lines, but my budget has kept me in the TLS. The Zero Garvity is said to be 25% more durable. I would love to give this rod the test on North East stripers and blues, gulf coast reds, and great lakes salmonids!
Joined: Oct 02, 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Teton Valley and Sawtooth Valley, ID
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 3:01 pm Post subject:
Never have I owned an Orvis rod.
(I have the Battenkill mid arbor in 7/8 and I want to make love to it after we fought this dastardly Albie together...but that's another story entirely and not exactly PG-13.)
I used to think Orvis was for pipe-smoking uptight old duffers who made their fortune in the real estate business by pooping on us little guys and now were buying up all the rustic cabins on blue ribbon trout water. I was an LL Bean boy thru and thru; as well as young, dumb, and full of.... well you know the rest; and apparently, bitterly prejudiced.
Then, LL Bean began to cut corners on issues of quality, become a refuge for all things yuppie, regard their hunting gear with apathy, ask 20(thousand) questions when ya tried to return stuff that broke, reserve parking spaces for Subaru Outbacks Only, and generally just suck.
(luckily they've reversed some of those curses by now.)
(I drive a Subaru by the way.)
Soooooo,
I started using some Orvis gear. (Smoking a pipe, too, though that's unrelated and I never really got into real estate.)
To my grudging surprise.... it performed, and still does.
Though I'm still young, and dumb, and full of whatever it was i was full of before, I've cast friends' Orvis rods and failed to be disappointed, ever. I could catch the tops of trees that were farther away, spook fish at greater range, and snag the bottom closer to the middle of the West Branch riverbed. Silver label dry lines that present Pink Cardinelles with the grace of a snowflake or feather. Depth charge lines that get those Chernobyl Ants suspended at juuuuuuust the right level off bottom.
Right. All BS'ing aside, I just broke a verynice custom built St Croix 8wt. I don't have the money to rebuild it. the ZG and Mach set up, I'm not going to lie here, gives me that funny feelin'..
yeah - the hell with a company's image as long as their gear is bomber and they support the right causes. (I didn't really have a correct perception of Orvis anyway.)
but enough about me. Back i go to the Barren Void of Academia -
Slay,
Mark
Oh PS - - A Shameless Plug here. If you like reggae, and you like to listen to it at lunch time, and are in the Maine area/and/or have internet access of relatively high speed, ...........welllll have i got a show for you. Lunch Box Reggae airs on WMEB 91.9 FM every Wednesday (except this coming one) from 12-2pm. Orrr, you can go to www.umaine.edu and search for "wmeb" to listen online.
That is all.
Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:16 pm Post subject: No more hand me downs!
I'd love to pour words of praise for Orvis rods and reels, but the only Orvis gear I now own is a Battenkill 5-6 spare spool( the old model).
(Available cheap if anyone needs one...)
Great reel, what I remember of it...
It now lies somewhere in the guts of Ripogenus gorge attached to a nice St Croix rod.
long story.
Anyhow...
For the last two years I've been wanting to buy a 9 wt I could use for Stripers and Blues down in Southern Maine, and for Atlantic Salmon someday when they return to Maine.
Recently my wish was granted when my wife(of two months now) bought me a LL Bean Orion rod as an early Christmas present. She found a hell of a deal, and I was delighted to say the least.
While I've often caught myself drooling over the next "new thing" in flyfishing it just doesen't always make sense finacially to act upon these urges...
So I'm quite content with the new gift...
However, the past eight years of knowing my "now" wife, she has happily accepted all of my factory second flies, the reel that works fine if you keep tightening the screw on the drag control every so often, the rods I'd fished for two seasons then give to her, you know, Hand me downs.
(Those here with many siblings know this too well.)
Despite all of this she still loves me, and can cast this crap gear better than most of my buddies, and myself on most given days.
I'd love to have the new Orvis Zero Gravity rod and Mach reel to give my wife for Christmas. If anyone deserves it, its her, and she's never fly-fished the salt!
She'd be so happy to go Striper fishing for her first time equiped with only the best gear!
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:19 am Post subject: Zero Gravity and the Mach
The most intriquing thing to me about the rod is that it is 4 piece. As I have expanded my flyfishing I have come to appreciate the convienence of packing a 4 piece rod. My 4 piece orvis t-3 5 weight packs nicely into the backpack I use to transport float tube and accessories to some of the walkin trout ponds that I fish. I currently own a Mach reel that Mike Holt recommended to me for fishing for saltwater and larger freshwater fish like the steelhead. It is equipped with a nine weight multi-tip line. I have found this reel to be trouble free. The drag is easy to adjust and the action very smooth. I have landed, bluefish, stripers, rainbows, browns, and searun brook trout with this reel and have never been disappointed.
I would be thrilled to add these products to my limited flyfishing equipment list. I can see me now, sitting aboard a 737 jetting off to Montana or Utah with my zero gravity rod and mach reel clutched in my hand as I dream of the fish I will encounter as my fishing adventures continue to grow.
Joined: May 31, 2004 Posts: 118 Location: Colorado
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject:
The Drag on the MA reel is the best- Easy to use and the big knob allows you to adjust it quickly when battling with a large fish. In one word to describe the reel is - Smooth.
The 0G is a very durable rod. It is also light in weight - I fished with other orvis 8 - 9 wt rods (TLS) and the 0G out performed them. And as with all Orvis rods the Gaurntee is the best. if anything happens to your rod they will fix it or replace it.
I fish with a T3 4 wt for trout in ME and I broke the tip while fishing one afternoon - I brought it to the closest orvis dealer and explained my problem - They shipped the rod, gave me a loaner (orvis TLS 5 wt), and when I got my rod back it was brand new - New case the whole 9 yards.
I own a TLS, a battenkill, a mid-arbor, and I've broken three other Orvis rods . Their equipment has always performed well and their warrenty is great. I've love to have an outfit such as the one being given away for the salt and chasing the steelhead that I've yet to catch.
Looks like a great setup. The looks and style of the reel matched with the rod using "Military Technology" makes me want to try one. Although I'm new to saltwater flyfishing; that outfit would keep me going back for the Stripers.
Mike
I'll be honest and say I have always dreamed of owining an orvis rig, ever since I used to read their catalog as a kid. Now I'm getting a bit grey in the beard, but never got around to making the investment on an orvis rod and reel. I fish in Europe, mostly, and this set up looks like it would really sing on big trout in Slovenia's Sava Bohinjka or Slovakia's Orava rivers. But what I would really like to try with a reel having a really good drag system is to follow my buddies down to Bajina Basta in Serbia or on the Vag River in Slovakia in the early spring and late fall and fish for some Hucho Hucho - Danubian salmon.
Honestly I have never had much experiance with Orvis, i say much i mean none. I guess I just never was impressed with the all orvis flyshops and whatnot. However I have heard very good things, and if I do buy another reel for freshwater I have a strong feeling it will be there mid arbor. I have handled and wathced this reel perform and I really like it. This new series of rods has realy sparked my interest as well, and I know I have a few good uses for an outfit like this!!
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:20 am Post subject: Mach Reel and Zero Gravity Rod
Just because I have been living in Europe the past two years, doesnt mean I havent been fishing. But the small creeks and ponds and the smallish browns and grayling dont compare to the big cutthroats, bulls, browns and 'bows I got used to living in Montana. Now that I am back in the American West, I would happily take a 4 piece (for backpacking) 6 weight rod and the Mach III reel. I would hit up the my choice spots on the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot up near the Bob, Rock Creek, the Bechler in Yellowstone, and for the first time, enter the Wind River Range looking for Goldies.
Joined: Jan 21, 2005 Posts: 119 Location: Kodiak, Alaska in winter, bristol bay alaska in summer
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:53 pm Post subject:
I think orvis makes some great products but i find they are far from the best value. I'm the kind of guy who wants the most bang for my buck and although orvis makes quality reels i think they sell them for too much. I have found reels just as good as orvis high end reels for much much less.
Joined: Jul 15, 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Gorham, ME
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:21 am Post subject: the schiznit setup
That set up is awesome. When we were out in WNY, our buddy that lives out there, has friends who work at Orivs and he received a zero gravity 7wt to test out and it's schweeeet!
That rod is like butta! Add the Reel to it and you've got a serious combo that's worth every penny.
It would see action year round. From the browns/steel Nov-Apr to the Stripers Apr-Oct.
Wife and I are expecting out first child end of July, so, I'm not going to be able purchase, quality, expensive fly gear for a while.
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If you like reggae, and you like to listen to it at lunch time, and are in the Maine area/and/or have internet access of relatively high speed, ...........welllll have i got a show for you. Lunch Box Reggae airs on WMEB 91.9 FM every Wednesday (except this coming one) from 12-2pm. Orrr, you can go to www.umaine.edu and search for "wmeb" to listen online.
. Their equipment has always performed well and their warrenty is great. I've love to have an outfit such as the one being given away for the salt and chasing the steelhead that I've yet to catch.
