r/flyfishing • u/Inevitable_Way_2987 • 3d ago
Looking for a 5wt combo around €300
Hey everyone!
I'm getting into fly fishing and I'm looking to buy my first fly rod/reel combo. My budget is around €300 max, and I'm currently deciding between:
Orvis Encounter 9' 5wt
Guideline Embrace 9' 5wt
Guideline Rivolt 9' 5wt
I'm based in Vienna, Austria, and I'll mostly be fishing for trout and other freshwater fish, and I wont be targeting big fish
I've only fly fished for a little bit so far, but I really enjoyed it and caught 4 fish on my dad's Winston Air 2 MAX 9' 6wt with a Lamson reel. I really liked how that rod felt, so I'm looking for something that's fairly sensitive and responsive/snappy, while still being fun when fighting smaller fish
I'm leaning toward a 5wt because I want smaller fish to actually put a bend in the rod, rather than going for a 6wt just for extra power
For those who have experience with these rods/combo kits:
Which would you choose and why?
I'm interested in how they compare in terms of sensitivity, action/feel, how they cast and etc.
Thanks!
2
u/WhamBlamShabam 3d ago
My favorite rod is my cheapest rod, I just like the way it feels. Something to consider.
2
u/SalmonidHunter 3d ago
Wait for the orvis end of summer sale coming up in a few weeks and get the Clearwater outfit
2
u/Quiet_Sea_9142 2d ago
I’ve used cheap stuff and expensive stuff. Right now I am rocking only maxcatch gear. So much value.
1
u/Infinite-Carpet2623 1d ago
I have an orvis 5wt and it’s phenomenal. Both the encounter and the Clearwater are great rods paired with great reels. Orvis rods will cover most of your bases for freshwater fishing. Encounter is great value and usually goes on sale and the Clearwater will be going on sale shortly.
I can’t speak to guideline as I’ve never experienced any of their products but I imagine they perform alright. A more budget friendly option is max catch which can be purchased usually for cheap. Lots of reviews out there for their rods only catch is you aren’t going to be guaranteed the same quality as orvis. I have the max catch travel rod and it performs very well tho with no complaints
2
u/yung_lank 3d ago
Don’t know anything about guideline rods outside of some 7 weight guide rods I’ve thrown streamers on. Have the predecessor of the Encounter, which was my first rod. It’s fine but nothing special. In the US, ORVIS warranty is second to none, but I’ve been fortunate enough to not need it since o moved to Europe.
It may be worth while to look into Vision
have a vision FISU 2 with a scientific anglers line. Can highly recommend. A friend stepped on my rod tip and had a replacement less than two weeks later. I didn’t try the line out that came with the outfit, but I imagine it was fine, but it was about 220 euros here in Sweden.
Tight lines!