1. Troutnut Forum
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2. Fly Fishing Gear
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3. Rod opinions

I have 2 different Orvis Clearwater rods,a 5wt and 2wt.I know they are Orvis' "economy" models but to me they are great.I did have a cheap Berkley 5wt and can see that the clearwaters are so much better,lighter,load up so much better,etc.My question,and I know its all subjective,are these "higher end" rods going for $500 and way up,really worth the investment?As I say,I realize it is very subjective and the only real way to know is to try it,not the kind of thing you order on line,just like to hear opinions from you guys more experienced in this obsession.

Here's one piece of objective advice on rod pricing vs performance:

I am more apt to put some money into longer rods (8-1/2 or longer) bc here is where you begin to really reap the benefits of higher modulus materials and formulations. For shorter rods the ability to maintain some rigidity (crispness) and still have a light rod can be done with lesser materials. In fact, to slow rods down some short rod enthusiasts like glass. You don't see many long glass rods anymore -clubs they are.

So, for short rods, I'm happy with lower/moderate end rods. But for long rods, I'm willing to shell out the bucks.

@Paul Roberts.....well said.