Fiberglass has become an industry darling for its en-pointe accuracy, but I wanted something a little more refined for mid-sized creeks. So I decided to travel back to the days when carbon was still the preferred rod for small creek angling.
If you want every tail twitch to make its way through the entire rod, the Orvis Superfine Carbon is an obvious choice. Orvis is known for its craftsmanship, and its Superfine Carbon fly rod presents as elegantly as the rest of the Superfine range.
But is it the rod for you? We put our rod reviews together so you can find the perfect fishing tools for your needs. Let’s get onto the Orvis Superfine Carbon review!
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Orvis Superfine Carbon Specs:
| Line Weight: 1 – 7 | Length: 6 – 8ft |
| Action: Slow | Handle: – |
| Rod Weight: – | Rod Tube: Wooden Insert / Aluminum Tube |
| Color: – | Sections: 4 |
| Warranty: | Country Of Manufacture: USA |
Overall Score
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Key Features
- Winding Check
- Silver snake guides and hardware
- Unsanded graphite blank with matching graphite wraps
- Delicate presentation and subtle feel
- Backed by our 25-year guarantee
Introducing the Orvis Superfine Carbon
Angling is all about the tiny details: the speed of your line, the accuracy of its control, the subtle flex of your rod.
Carbon has held onto its reputation in all three areas for some time. It has a heavier swing weight, which few of my other fly rods can match. It handles dries with aplomb, and if you’re a trout angler, you can use it for bigger waters than the Orvis Superfine Glass.
This Orvis Superfine Carbon fly rod review will look at the rod from all angles to find out if it’s the right one for you! In our reviews, we make sure we check out all the features in detail so you know what to expect before you buy.
Features and Benefits
For every fly rod we review, we take a close look at the specific benefits it will bring you. Find out what the Orvis Superfine Carbon rods have to offer in our in-depth review!
Weight
When it comes to weight, the Superfine Carbon is a faster action rod that can manage tighter loops than glass. It’s as light as a feather and has an incredible modulus, so if fiberglass feels sluggish to you, the Orvis Superfine Carbon fly rod might become your favorite new toy.
When it comes to weight, Orvis Superfine has six categories: One through three, then four through eight. 1wt is perfect for catching small species, and the 7wt suits peacock bass anglers.
Build Quality
For this review, I looked at the Orvis Superfine for both long and medium casts, and even bent it all the way around. Still, the Orvis Superfine Carbon fly rod survived. It is built to be a full-flex rod that delivers accuracy even in a respectable breeze.
It has handsome good looks that might turn it into a collectors’ piece in the years to come. Its unsanded graphite blank matches its wraps, delivering all the subtlety you could hope for.
The silver reel seat matches the snake guides, and it has the characteristic Orvis cork handle, which feels so very nice in hand. Cork is expensive but unparalleled!
The Superfine has a winding check, and its silver reel seat is a delight to behold. You can get it in a combo which comes with a Hydros freshwater line, 50 yards of Dacron backing, and a Battenkill I reel.
Overall, every component of the Orvis Superfine Carbon feels sturdy and durable. From the reel seat to the snake guides, you won’t be disappointed.
Versatility
The Orvis Superfine Carbon is a perfect all-rounder for trout fishing on quiet and windy days alike. Carbon offers more versatility for your casts than fiberglass can do. The Superfine Carbon can throw beyond 50 feet, but it loses some of its accuracy, even if you’re a better caster than I am.
It’s also sensitive enough to act as a general-purpose rod, but a large striking fish could fracture it due to graphite’s notorious brittleness. That said, you don’t need to limit yourself by this review – Orvis Superfine Carbon has a generous guarantee, which will cover any breakage.
Its full-flex feel is potent enough to play larger fish, so it meets your mood in both small and mid-sized waters. This is a fun rod that’s probably faster at casting than you expect from graphite, and it makes excellent use of hoppers and chubbies
At the same time, you can still get that spot-on delicate presentation of your dry flies. If the trout are eating at the surface, you’ll hook them with this subtle rod.
It’s versatile enough to manage a full fishing holiday, carrying you from small creeks to lakes in fine style, especially when you need a little extra reach. You can use it for days without getting bored, and fish will definitely be on the menu for dinner! That’s a winning factor when it comes to our rod reviews.
Action
Carbon fiber offers slow, classic action, with the 905 and 804 Superfines giving you a little bit extra weight and length to refine your needs. Both are heavier than average in terms of casting and swing weight, and you’ll feel it in your muscles at the end of a long day.
The extra work is well worth it because it handles dry flies exceptionally. It bends beautifully along the lower third of the rod.
Warranty
One of the reasons Orvis reviews well is its generous 25-year guarantee for its rods. If you damage or break your Superfine, the brand will replace it without asking any questions.
Unlike rivals, Orvis doesn’t just cover manufacturing defects. You’ll be using the Orvis Superfine for a quarter of a decade, no matter how mean your fish are to your rod.
Online Orvis Superfine Carbon Review
For this review, I went through reams of Superfine content and reviews with impressive results. It’s been reviewed as one of the two “Best Fly Rod of All Time”, alongside the Sage Method.
I didn’t find a single negative review or description, but plenty of positive reviews. Anglers love it for its ability to reach over boulders and manage shallow waters. Many of the reviews praised it for its classic feel and impressive accuracy.
This is the model you want if you’re tactile and like to assemble your rods the lazy way. When it comes to weight Superfine Carbon 802 seems to be the most popular because it fills a niche that other fly fishing brands don’t quite meet.
Reviewers have celebrated it for its style, which is no surprise, but fiberglass fans have given it plenty of compliments in their reviews, too. That’s quite an achievement given how popular glass fishing products have become of late.
Pros and Cons
We know you’re short on time, so in this part of the review, I’ll quickly sum up the pros and cons of the Orvis Superfine Carbon:
Pros
- Lighter than fiberglass, as any Orvis Superfine Carbon review will tell you.
- Flexes deeply to protect your tippets.
- Performs beautifully with dry flies.
- In terms of weight carbon is light and sensitive enough for tactile anglers.
- Comes with the famous Orvis 25-year guarantee.
Cons
- When it comes to weight Orvis Superfine is too light for heavy game fish.
- Choppy waters might break your carbon rod.
- Carbonfiber comes at a premium price over cheaper glass.
- Doesn’t provide the most accurate long-range casting.
- When it comes to action carbon is on the slow side.
- The 8 weight option won’t suit bass or salmon fishing.
Wrap Up
We’re coming to the end of our rod review, so it’s time to wrap up. Every fishing rod has a modulus, and the Orvis – Superfine Carbon is more sensitive than most.
The more sensitive a rod is, the more prone it is to breakage, so you’ll need a good guarantee and a manufacturer that takes its build as seriously as this brand does.
That’s Orvis, so if you’re considering trying out carbon fiber, this might be a good place to start. From reel seat to rod tip, you won’t be disappointed with the quality or the performance. That deep flex combines with the fast action to create a special kind of fly fishing magic.
To sum up our review, you’ll be rewarded with consistent accuracy, versatility across a range of distances, and excellent dry fly fishing. Click below to check out this super-fine Superfine.
