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Orvis Encounter Fly Fishing Combo Review – Budget Friendly
When we talk of the crème de la crème in the fly fishing industry, Orvis remains a common name here. There are thousands of anglers who like spotting the Orvis label in almost every fly fishing equipment and gear like the one in this Orvis Encounter Fly Combo Review. What else does this mean if not a good reputation and high-quality products that are exceedingly performing? The family company began ten decades ago and from the look of things, it is unshakable to date. Full of zeal and determination to offer utmost satisfaction to all its customers.
The Encounter Fly Combo
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Quick Post Navigation
- Main Features of the Orvis Encounter Fly Combo
- Orvis Encounter Fly Rod Key Features
- Orvis Encounter Fly Reel Key Features
- Orvis Encounter Fly Line Key Features
- Other Aspects of the Orvis Encounter Fly Combo
- Consumer Thoughts on Orvis Encounter Combo
- Pros- Things that shine on the Encounter Combo!
- Cons- Things that are not so cool!
- FAQ’s – Questions about the Encounter Combo
- Final Verdict – A Combo for Beginners but is it worth the Price?
Main Features of the Orvis Encounter Fly Combo
Orvis Encounter Fly Rod Key Features
4 Piece Rod – The rod is at a full 9 feet length that is subdivided into 4 short pieces.
Protection – There is a cordura case with this rod but does not encase the reel and that is unfortunate but you can pick up one to carry your rod and reel combined which is the case with many combo on our list.
Material – Encounter Fly Rod is made of a graphite material which renders durable for fly fishing and makes the combo ideal for very powerful casts in big water bodies.
General Construction – The tip has plenty of flex and is more comfortable in almost everything from placing your dry flies to slinging heavy streamers.
Specification Range – 8,6ft 5, 9ft 5, 9ft 6, 9,6ft 6, 10ft 7, 9ft 8
Orvis Encounter Fly Reel Key Features
Drag System – the disc drag system is very powerful and provide utmost resistance to the revolving reel spool that slows the fly line’s speed as it is taken off the reel by the running fish.
Large Arbor – A large arbor on the reel is responsible for retrieving the line faster and helps in keeping the line free from memory coiling.
Drag Knob – The reel has a positive click drag knob which is necessary for consistent settings at all times. Conversions to the right or left hand are easy.
Orvis Encounter Fly Line Key Features
Weight Forward Line – Orvis Encounter WF line is designed to be heavier by a half size and makes loading the rod a very easy affair, you are guaranteed to cast large flies and can easily handle the wind.
Head Construction – The head is made to be compact and this makes energy transfer more efficient, loading the rod at a closer distance, throwing tighter loops and turning over flies.
Other Aspects of the Orvis Encounter Fly Combo
Main Materials – The fly rod is made of graphite material for durability and to allow for easy sectioning into the four pieces. You can be sure it’s soft to touch. Its reel seat is made from anodized aluminum to withstand the different environmental conditions.
Handles – The full wells handle has an excellent grip and has a very pleasing shape and the quality of the cork is very modest, some figuring and filling.
Rod Length – Quite a good length. The rod, depending on the combo type comes in different length but the one in this Orvis Encounter Fly Combo Review is a 9 feet 5 weight and is a punch for amateurs who want to scale to becoming pros. Do not turn down fishing sessions in saltwater environments just make sure to clean with fresh water afterwards.
Drag System – A disc drag system is a predominant style and is used by many manufacturers to make great reels. Disc drag systems have excellent resistance capabilities as the reel spool revolves and puts the fly line’s speed in check.
Capacity – This fly fishing combo has a capacity of 150 yards of WF5 Fly Line 20lb.
Weight – The Orvis Encounter Fly Combo has a weight of 117.4 grams which is very lightweight and makes your fly fishing sessions less tiring. You can go on for as long as you want.
Consumer Thoughts on Orvis Encounter Combo
A beginner’s favorite combo package that comes at an affordable price. However, its performance beats the price. Superb!
In areas with water that is salty, the reel seat might under-perform because not being anodized. Corrosion and rust are what you will notice if not completely cleaned after use.
The combo is very light in weight and you can find yourself overcasting which is not a bad thing as such.
A great combo for the beginner not wanting to spend a lot of money to get into the sport of fly fishing. Will take a good deal of abuse without faltering.
A superb always ready for action, keep it in the truck setup for beginners or intermediates alike.
Plastic reel let the setup down, not everyone’s cup of tea.
Probably the best startup combo out there!
Pros- Things that shine on the Encounter Combo!
- A budget fly fishing combo
- Durable construction in any environment
- Lightweight outfit
- 4-piece set with reel, rod, line, leader, and backing
Cons- Things that are not so cool!
- Doesn’t come with a combined case for the fly rod and reel
- Fly reel is plastic and not cast aluminium
- No warranty but replacements can be purchased separately if broken.
FAQ’s – Questions about the Encounter Combo
Q) What kind of warranty is on the Encounter combo?
A) There is no warranty as the combo is priced at a very competitive price warranty was not included. However spare parts are cheap enough to replace so if you break a section go back to Orvis for a replacement.
Q) How long is the broken down rod for transportation?
A) The rod length when broken down is just under 32 inches. Small enough to travel on an aircraft.
Q) What is the action of the rod and do you need to be a good caster to use?
A) The Encounter rods have a medium to fast action, perfect for all-rounder use especially nymphing and streamer fishing.
Q) What is the reel made from I hear plastic?
A) The reel is made from composite plastic and very strong, it will take loads of knocks without a problem. The drag is not sealed but metal disc drag so cannot be used on the coastal shoreline of saltwater unless completely cleaned after every use. Would be OK for freshwater though. Ideal for the beginner starting out.
Q) Does the reel come with a spare spool?
A) No there is no spare spools for the reel. You can get spare reels from Orvis if required but there are other higher quality reels on the market with spare spools which are much better for long life usage.
Q) What color is the fly fishing line?
A) The fly line is mint green.
Q) I prefer the reel to be right handed is it easily changeable?
A) The reel is easily changed for left to right by simply flipping the bearing however the line is already spooled on so it all needs to be wound off and re-spooled in the other direction to complete the change. If you want this down for you some of the sellers can do it or Orvis even have some set up for right handed reeling so make this point in your buying notes.
Q) What size is the rod case exactly?
A) Its 2 1/2″ in diameter and almost 32 ” long.
Final Verdict – A Combo for Beginners but is it worth the Price?
Fly fishing is a sport that you need to invest in to make your experiences better with every cast. Investing doesn’t have to scare you. Especially for amateurs, they are easily shaken by the high prices of fly combos. Here is a budget-friendly combo that is more than its worth. You will love how lightweight the combo is. From humping it to your fishing spot and to the actual sport. This is the main reason why anglers who own this combo spend more hours at the water.
It can get disappointing when you go shopping for the Orvis Encounter Outfit and find it out of stock. We have a few alternatives that are appealing and have good performance too. Check out the Orvis Clearwater 5wt 9ft Fly Rod Combo, Redington Path Fly Combo, Wild Waters Fly Fishing combo, and the Scientific Anglers 5-6 Trout Fly Fishing Outfit.
From this Orvis Encounter Fly Combo Review, you can agree that this outfit will be the perfect choice for any beginner looking to have an incomparable experience in fly fishing. Definitely more than value for money.
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About Author
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone knows if the plastic reel can handel the stress of landing a large salmon? Would like to get it as a start out rod to try for Atlantic Salmon but the reel strength concerns me.
Hey Amanda, the reel is made from composite plastic its really strong, I would even say tougher than aluminum and it doesn’t rust. Check this video to see for yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKSfoG-OPg0
This Orvis Encounter Fly Fishing Combo review is clear enough to give sufficient information to any buyer. From the features, the pros and cons, and I found it even completed in the question and answer part of the review.
No fishing enthusiasts will be laid uninformed behind in looking for what they want to use if they want to buy this kind of Fishing Combo.
Thanks Abagatan we do try to give a full informed picture of the products we review. The Encounter Fly Fishing Combo although not the top priced product in out list is still a worthy consideration for the beginner trying to get into the sport for a decent price.
I have never been fly fishing!
It is surprising to me as a non-fly fishing person that there was so much choice!
It seems fly fishing is a massive sport with so much to think about.
The question & Answers part of your post is really good. This overcomes any questions or objections that a buyer might have. I thought that was a really good idea and done in a nice way. It was ‘not in my face’ but gave the information needed.
It sounds like that this is a good solution for someone just starting out in fly fishing. I was wondering what are good ways to learn how to fly fish. I used to do spin fishing and float fishing years ago, however never did fly fishing for some reason.
The point about there being no warranty with the combo, is that not breaking some consumer laws? I don’t think saying that the combo comes at a really good cheap price would be accepted by the authorities as an excuse for their being no warranty.
I must be missing something in your point about their being no warranty. Or maybe I just live in a place where there is strong consumer protection and would have to pay a lot more for my combo to include the warranty where I live.
There is no extended warranty David meaning after the usual manufacturers warranty which covers the usual defects in production will not extent to accidental breakages or misuse. Each company looks after warranty slightly different but usually replacement parts are available at a fair price and one section replacement is a lot cheaper than having to buy a full rod. Orvis are good at helping out their customers and there should be no concerns about breaking a section.
I really enjoyed reading your information on the fly-fishing rods as the closest I’ve come to it is taking a few photos of a fly-fisherman at work and wondered what the difference is in the method of catching fish.
You mention a graphite composition and I can well believe with would be ideal for a fishing rod as my first encounter with graphite composition was my badminton racquet. I could see that it made it very light and easy to handle for all the right shots back to the opponent. So too, I believe that it would make the fly-fishing rod a light weight too which would make it a lot easier to use. Not only that, but also strong and durable too.
Of particular interest is that the rod is interchangeable from right to left handed people.
I like the fact that you bring to our attention the pitfall of not cleaning the rod after fishing in saltwater and that it could corrode if not cleaned properly. This is paramount to keeping a good quality rod from deteriorating and having it give you hours of enjoyment fly-fishing!
Edu
Manufacturers are using more and more new technologies in the pursuit to making fly fishing tackle lighter and more durable. The recent use of polymers into the weave of graphite has produced rods that flex and bend without breaking making them really excellent in casting all sorts of fly patterns and the strength to fight large fish.
Cleaning the equipment with freshwater after using in saltwater is necessary to make sure corrosion does not effect them. Salt is very corrosive and will do a lot of damage even to equipment that has been protected to combat it. I have seen fly reels with a cake of salt around the spool making stripping the line off the reel impossible. Not what you want when you grab your gear to go to the shore.
It’s been ages since I’ve been fly fishing, when I was just a kid. I wouldn’t even know where to begin with all of the fly fishing rods out there.This looks like the perfect one to begin with If you are just starting out or just getting back into it, lets expand our skills to the expert level.
I have to say your article, and especially the review you have provided on the Fly Fishing Combo, helped me a lot.
I am an absolute beginner and have just started this Spring to pick up fishing. The equipment I had this year was, more or less, unsatisfying to me and I was looking for something more suitable.
The Q&A also was helpful and very thorough.
Thanks a lot what a lifesaver to me.
I’ve been fishing a few times but only once was fly fishing. I really enjoyed myself and was able to catch tons of fish. But I was borrowing a friends rod. I’ve never had my own fishing rod. I’d love to get into the sport more though. Now I know where to come when I need to know what equipment to buy.
This is perfect and exactly what I was searching for. I am 51 and I want to get into fly fishing. I have looked at a few other sites bit your page really intrigued me. I appreciate you taking the time to show something that will be a great tool but will also be affordable. After a little more research Im hoping to become a customer.
Very well organized information and review of this product! I have several family members who are into fishing and hunting and the outdoors in general, I will be sure to point them to your page! What is your favourite feature about this fly fishing combo? I think reviews like yours are great to help others get a good understanding of the products they are planning on purchasing with their hard earned money, keep up the great work!
I’ve been looking for a beginner setup for my thirteen year old boy now for about a month, and there’s so much choice out there now – it’s really hard to choose.
You say that the Orvis Encounter is a combo for beginners, but then you seem to lean towards it not really being worth the money paid for it. Could you maybe direct me to a beginner combo on your site that would be a good choice for a thirteen year old boy?
Thanks in advance.
Not sure what you mean Chris the final section was a question. Is it worth the price tag? I think we answered that with a, yes it was as a beginner setup it was well worth it.
So for your son I would say this would suit him nicely.