Orvis Tls Power Matrix

[Njardar]

Any thoughts on the Orvis TLS Power Matrix 4 wt 2 piece rod? I'm looking to purchase a 4 wt for use in CO this summer and for my trips to Montauk. Orvis has a sale going on this week where you get the reel free when you purchase a rod. This would be a savings of $198 if I ordered the rod with the Batenkill large arbor real. Seem like quite a savings... $325 for a rod and reel, does anyone know of comparable deals or if this rod is worth it?

- Charlie

[vanven]

I have a TLS tip flex in a 9 foot 5wt that came in a similar deal 5 years ago. It came with the Orvis Battenkill large arbor reel with Orvis line. This was my first big rod/reel purchase I made when I broke my Cabela's combo in a car door during a fishing trip. At the time I thought it was a great deal. Over time I learned to hate the rod and reel. The tip flex rod is very very fast action and difficult to cast. It feel like a broomstick with a twig on the end. All of the flex in the rod is in the first two feet. It is a tip flex rod and was designed that way. I didn't realize the difference in other rods when I bought this Orvis. It didn't fit my stroke and was difficult to cast. I shouldn't have bought the rod, and to be honest it shouldn't have been sold to me either. I should have made a more informed decision and the sales person should have been able to watch me cast and help suggest a rod that fit me better. It is now my backup/guest rod.

The Battenkill reel was not bad. It worked for three years but did require quite a bit of babysitting. It does not have a closed drag system so it suffers when it gets wet. Mine also had a tendency to allow gravel and silt to make a grinding noise in the gears after being dunked. It needs to be maintained and oiled/cleaned regularly. I am tough on gear and this didn't ride well with me when you compare it to some reels out there in the same price range like the Lampson Konic that are basically bulletproof and idiotproof.

This rod/reel has kept me from buying gear from Orvis since. Yes I am still slightly bitter. It was also my first "grown up" rod/reel setup and taught me to appreciate the cost and care associated with owning some of the high end gear.

That being said...

Every person has a different casting stroke and expects different things from a rod. You may find that the Orvis rod fits you perfectly. I strongly suggest that you cast it first. Sage, Winston, and G Loomis all make very nice rods and some of their lower end rods may actually be close in price to the Orvis. They may be lower end on the scale but the same manufacturing processes and expertise go into these rods as their high end rods. TFO also makes some very nice rods that are very inexpensive with great customer service to back them up.

-Jerod

[Njardar]

Jerod,

I appreciate your feedback and candor. Your suggestion to try before I buy is a good one… even if I miss out on a deal. I think I’ll save up, go to Feathercraft in St. Louis and spend some time with them. My current rod is a TFO Lefthy Kreh Pro that the sales rep from Sage helped me select at BassPro. He was a very considerate man who spent two hours with me helping me decide. Must of been a slow day.

- Charlie

[Midge]

I purchased a TLS 865-2 mid flex last year during the same deal. I didn't need the reel so I ordered the large arbor for my six weight. I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I love this rod. Very forgiving all around trout rod. I also love orvis reels. I have switched all of my reels to orvis.

If you want to cast this rod check out River Run Outfitters in Branson. They are an orvis dealer, and have great service. I suggest you get in on the deal!

Just noticed where you were from. Feather-craft has a good reputation as well.

[Njardar]

After reading the advice from this forum and doing more research I settled on the St. Croix Avid 9' 4wt... until I talked to Mike at Feathercraft. An Echo 2 9' 4wt is on its way to me. The Echo seems like a good value for the price and has the characteristics in a rod that I'm looking for (according to Mike). The real proof will be when I get my hands on it and cast it for a while. I'll let you know.

- Charlie

[vanven]

Keep us updated. I am starting to look for a 4wt as well. I love my 5wt Z-Axis but at times it feels like a bit much. A little 4wt or even a 3wt would be perfect for calm clear summer days when the water is low and the only thing I think I will hook into is a stocker.

-Jerod

[Njardar]

I received the Echo2 4wt and I love it. It allows me to feel much more of what the line is doing than my TFO Lefty Kreh Professional 5wt. The downside (not really) is that it accentuates casting errors and what I mean by that is I know when I'm not casting correctly so when I make a correction the result is obvious. The best way I can describe it is comparing driving a truck and a sports car. The improved performance is noticable and having the extra tip is fun to explore as well. Definitely a rod worth looking at especially at this price point.

- Charlie

I forgot to add that I matched the rod with a Lamson Konic 1.5 which also has a great price point. The folks at Feathercraft really know their stuff. I am so please I called Mike J. to thank him for his recommendation.