As some of you have read, at the start of April I managed to snap my Sage Fli. Well, it was delivered back into my loving arms a week or so ago with a brand new tip section! Turnaround time - 20 days. Not a bad turn around if you take into account it had to be sent to the retailer first (John Norris of Penrith), then to sage, and back again.
The process was totally painless, and John Norris’s customer service (as ever) was faultless! Thank you John Norris and Sage!
However, since the fateful snap, I’ve thought to myself ‘What would happen if I had a fishing trip planned for the weekend after?’ Well, I’d be screwed.
There is a company (I believe them to be THE company when it comes to product quality and pre/post-sales customer service) who has a solution…
To the question ‘What if I have broken my only rod and need it to continue fishing?’, Orvis reply:
Average turnaround for rod repairs is 3 days (excluding transit). Should your repair take longer and you will require a loan rod in the meantime, will provide it to you free of charge.
Well that sounds pretty good! But that’s just in addition to their 25-Year Guarantee! Keep reading…
[The Orvis] 25-Year Rod Guarantee
Purchase an Orvis Helios, Zero Gravity, Superfine, Western2, Shooting Star, T3, TLS Power Matrix, Clearwater, and Clearwater Double Hander rods with a 25-year guarantee, and we will repair or replace it, no matter what the reason, for a quarter of a century. Step on it, close the door on it, run over it with the car - it doesn not matter, we will repair it. If we cannot repair it, we will choose a current comparable rod to replace it. All this in a turnaround of less than a week in over 94% of the cases!
Of course, this sounds way to good to be true! But then, I’ve experienced first hand just how good the Orvis rod guarantee is, and also, I’ve experienced similarly awesome customer service when a pair of Endura waders began leaking.
Now, as it’s my birthday this month, I’ve decided to treat myself to a new rod, and of course, I’ve gone for an Orvis.
I kinda’ fell in love with their Superfine ‘Troutbum’ series a little while ago, but (for now) I need a new 8′6″ 5wt for all-round/general river work on small/medium sized rivers. It has to be suitable for fishing teams of spiders, weighted nymphs, duo-setups, streamer fishing, and of course (more important to me than any of the above), it has to be gentle enough for the dry-fly. The Superfine can wait a little longer.
With the above requirements in mind, I decided to purchase a T3 Mid Flex, 8′6″ 5wt. This was a blind purchase, where I ended up not having the chance to try the rod out in person due to various reasons, but instead, I went on the recommendations of others that have a similar casting style to myself.
Mmmm…sweet!

Image copyright Orvis 2008
Orvis say:
A slower-action five-weight for delicate presentations, and effortless roll casts. The tracking and forgiving castability of this rod means you can still lay down a perfect line, even when you are focused more on the fish than your timing.
Fly Rod Features Include:
- Super-high modulus graphite and thermoplastic-enriched, thermoset resin/scrim matrix: more powerful, more durable.
- Three coats of finish with a final UV blocking coat.
- Silicon-carbide-lined stripping, chrome snake guides.
- Protective aluminum rod tube.
- 25-year guarantee to repair or replace fly rod
- 30-day Risk Free Trial
Ordered the rod Saturday, there was a slight mix up with the stock advertised online, but this was remedied immediately by couriering the rod from the Orvis store in Bath. Due to the Bank Holiday, etc, I was expecting the rod to be delivered today…spot on!
Upon its delivery I was struck with a problem: I was at work…and the rod was at home. Add to this conundrum the fact that the social is taking place tomorrow; what does this equal you ask? A very anxious and excited Gareth with no time to try out the rod before the social.
Work couldn’t finish fast enough, but after getting home, opening the package, and setting up the rod, I (apparently) turned into a ‘dribbling mess’…of course I disagree, and believe I was very dignified in my response to my new rod…perhaps not.
First impressions? This is a truly beautiful and very well crafted rod, and one that will last a long time it cared for (don’t worry, I’m not going to start talking to it). Obviously, to get a proper opinion I’m going to have to actually fish with it, but then, with the Monnow social is taking place tomorrow…perfect for hardware testing, I can’t wait!
I’ll post an update on the rod in due course.
…anyway, it’s now off to the pub for a ‘pre-social’ curry and pint…result!