New Rods 2002

Every year, rod companies around the world re-evaluate and redesign their product lines, constantly searching for a way to make better fly rods—more efficient, stronger, lighter, faster, more pleasureable to cast, or maybe just more economical.

What follows is a report on what’s new in fly-rod design, including details on Orvis’s new 78-million modulus graphite T3 rods; the latest titanium-branded rod, the $725 Tiboron from Powell; Scott’s new SupR-ply; and much more.

Unless otherwise noted, all the rods included in this article have an unlimited, unconditional warranty that may or may not include a shipping and handling fee.

Orvis

Lighter and tougher. That’s how Orvis likes to describe the new T3 line of rods available in 2002 in 14 different models.

T3 rods use a new resin system that allows Orvis to use 78-million modulus graphite in the rod blank—a manufacturing accomplishment Orvis says has never been successfully duplicated. Orvis says that the higher-modulus graphite is unusually stiff, meaning rod designers can use less material, and produce a rod blank that is lighter—but not necessarily stiffer—than rods built from lower-modulus material.

The downside to high-modulus graphite is that it is fragile, but Orvis rod designers say they have overcome this obstacle with their new resin system. The new resin is a thermoset plastic, injected with what technical manuals call nano-ceramic binders. These binders are actually nano-size bentonite particles (specks of clay one-billionth of a meter in width) injected into the resin and then superheated. Orvis says the small particles penetrate the graphite fibers, filling “gallery space” or the microscopic cracks and holes that weaken the graphite. Orvis says it’s the first time this resin system has been used in any sporting-goods product.

Freshwater T3 rods are a golden brown color with gold line guides, hardwood inserts, and a newly designed nickel silver reel seat. The rod butt cap screws up to lock the reel in place and down for release. In saltwater models, the entire fighting butt twists to secure the reel. Saltwater rods are dark blue with dark line guides with Teflon-coated aluminum hardware.

The new rods have redesigned compound tapers for a crisp, fast action that is markedly different from previous Orvis products. In developing this line, Orvis says its designers placed a great emphasis on creating a rod with a light swing weight, or levered weight. While T3 rods (with nickel silver reel seats) are actually heavier than a comparable TLS rod, Orvis says the swing weight, or perceived weight, is much lighter, because the weight is concentrated closer to the grip. T3s are available in weights 3 to 11 and sell for $550 to $650.

The former top-of-the-line rod at Orvis—the Trident TL—has been renamed the Trident TLS and retails for about $200 less than it used to. For more information call 800-815-5900.

Sage

The new SLT not only replaces but surpasses the old SP. Inspired by the classic, medium-fast taper and smooth action of the popular SP series, the new SLT rods are designed to suit anglers who prefer a longer, more relaxed casting rhythm. The SLT rods feature the latest slim-line ferrule technology, which not only provides for an extremely thin blank profile but also reduces weight. The SLTs are 15 percent lighter than the SPs. Every SLT rod is made with Graphite IIIe, the same graphite used in the XP series.

The “tiger’s eye” shaft has matching brown and gold wraps. The 0- to 2-weights have a skeleton cork reel seat with nickel-silver sliding bands. The 3- to 6-weights have nickel-silver reel seats with an Imbuya wood insert, and the 7- and 8-weights have a black anodized aluminum reel seat. The series also includes six models of the SLT Center Axis, the innovative attaching of Sage’s 3000 series reel directly to the SLT rod. The new SLTs range in price from $500 for a 2-piece, 0-weight to $630 for a 5-piece, 8-weight. The Center Axis versions range from $800 to $935. The rods are available from 0 to 8 weight in 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-piece configurations. For more information call 800-533-3004 .