Fly fishing gear is a big part of Casting Across. I’ve always enjoyed the aesthetics, the marketing, and, most importantly, the function of fly fishing gear. Consequently, I’ll review new products on the site from time to time. But appreciating fly fishing gear shouldn’t only be about the latest model or newest technology. The things that you’ve fished with for years – for decades ought to be celebrated as well.
It is in that spirit that I put together this gear review. Although some products are old or even out of production, their value compounds with use, experience, and familiarity. We should enjoy what we use when we fly fish, especially if we’ve enjoyed it for a long time.
The trout were rising in front of me and as far as I could see upstream. I was on a low stone wall overlooking a deep, slow moving pool. Just downstream was an old low head dam. Any cast of distance that wasn’t plumb line straight would quickly drag because of the accelerating currents above the fall. The most consistent riser was about fifty feet out. And there were trees behind me.
Peeling off the right length of line and letting it fall through the guides, I slowly brought the rod tip behind me. In a quick motion I flicked the rod forward and sent the line shooting straight ahead. It was smooth, effortless, and a nearly perfect roll cast. That fish didn’t take, but others would on that afternoon.
I also knew I was going to buy my very own Orvis T3.
Working at an Orvis company store, I eagerly took the newest rods out to cast and to fish. The T3 was all the rage in 2002. The rod series was positioned to be the premium offering from Orvis, with technology and pricing that surpassed the Trident TL. Along with some sharp design details (including different blank colors for salt and fresh models), the T3 were perceptibly lighter in hand than the other Orvis rods.
Being lighter, while also being more durable, was the pitch behind the T3. At the heart of the new rod was a proprietary thermoset resin with nanoceramic binders. I remember hearing the details. I don’t remember what they meant. Still, I could tell that the rod was responsive and sensitive. There was a true balance between power and delicacy. Generating line speed wasn’t a problem, but I never felt like I had to take it easy when setting the hook or fighting fish on 6X tippet. All of this was even more impressive considering the specific casting action of the model I chose.
At the time Orvis was still using a numerical flex rating system. That meant that you could buy the top of the line rod if you liked a fast action or a moderate action. The materials, components, and finish were exactly the same. The only difference was the taper of the graphite blank. Most of the trout fishing I’d use the 8’6″ 5-weight for was on spring creeks. I wanted something softer, to help with delicate dry fly presentations. A tip-flex was available, but the mid-flex suited my purposes better. (As a side note, they released a full-flex 5-weight in the second series of the T3. I was torn, but the versatility of the 7.0 mid-flex has proven itself over and over.)
17 years later and the T3 is still my dry fly and general purpose rod of choice on medium sized rivers. It is my preferred travel rod because of the diverse conditions it can handle. Although it excels with dries, it can work small streamers and simple nymph rigs very well. I caught my largest trout on the T3. While I can’t be certain, there is a high probability that I have caught more trout on that rod than any other. Moreover, the rod fits my casting stroke. Truth be told, I’ve fished the T3 so much that there is a chance that my casting stroke adapted to the rod.
The T3 fishes exceptionally well for me. Since there a 5-weights in a handful of other lengths and flex profiles out there, I’m confident that all these years later it is a fly rod that could fish well for most anglers. The freshwater models, especially the 3-, 4-, and 5-weights seem to be held in high regard online nearly two decades after their release. Getting your hands on one might be a challenge, but they’re out there. If you see one you’d do well to consider picking it up.
it is amazing how the older graphites and glass rods still do the job. I too fish with some oldies but goodies and find that there has been no need to change. What is amazing is the $ that the old glass and graphite rods now capture. My classic Fenwick glass rods from the 60’s and 70’s will fetch 5 times what they cost when first marketed. I will never ever sell them, they just fish so well. Same with my old graphites. As one writer once wrote- rods change the fishing has not.
Interesting piece of advice.
You’ve made a great point. “Improved” rod technology often necessitates altering line weights to the point where they’re nothing like the labeled category. Twenty, fifty years ago a good five weight was a five weight!
There is so much to be said about the T3 I have fished it since 2002, recently broke the tip and Orvis was unable to fix…. they replaced it with a less classy billboard labeled rod …. I’m not sure if I can bring myself to seat my English CFO on it…. For style class and amazing touch nothing can in my experience compare to the T3 … I am fortunate that my best friend has one he no longer fishes with …. he is caught up in the ”New is better view” I’ll stick to the classic proven T3 CFO combo… Vic G
Sorry for your loss, Vic.
But it is good to have friends who like new things!
Hi Matthew, I also have T3. My first prober rod I sought it out and bought it 2nd hand. I have the tip flex model 9’5wt. I love it but I do sometimes feel I could pair it with a better line. I’m currently using a courtland 444 floating which sometimes feels a little heavy for it. What line would you recommend?
Hello!
Thanks for reaching out. The RIO Technical Trout would be a great fit for the tip flex. It’s a good delicate line that still performs at distance.
Hi Gearoid and all Orvis T3 Lovers. Well, I just recently, (after my Cortland 555 “ghost tip” line got so “memorized” ), got myself “Rio Gold InTouch” trout series, for my Orvis T3 (9.5 Tip Flex). Well I must say that line with the T3 goes where your thoughts go. Seriously!
Exceptional Rio line tapper design that is a perfect match to T3. Will land 22 size wherever you want it….
Also, on my extra spool of the Hardy Ultralite Disc #5 reel, is Cortland Laser line 444 double tapper. So smooth and limp after years…T3 and Cortland 444 Laser DT#5, will land that 24+ size midge in the Brook Trout feeding frenzy.
So T3, even among so many rods, and years, is the one of the best controlled (get the right line) rod. Almost 20 years ago , I got it as a Lifetime member of The Trout Unlimited Canada and the rod has my name in-scripted into it. I love it and I will love it forever.
That is a special rod!
I feed my T3 9′ #5 tip flex with a triangle tapered 4 weight, a 4 weight sa gpx and a Cortland sylk 5weight. Underlining it removes the power transfer loss that’s caused by the to fast transition(1/2′) from the Powerful butt, to the softer but slowly tapered last 3′. If you use normal weight #5 line and heavier, you get that hinged feel and power transition loss that results in tailing and collapsing loops.
Those lighter weight tip flex models were nice and delicate. I agree that underlining would be a good approach with them.
I own a two piece T3, middles 4wt. It is one of my favorite fly rods. At the time, 4 piece rods were new, so on the advice of ‘the old timers’ I purchased a two piece. Great rod. I’d love to buy it in the 4 pieces if it ever comes up again. It is my favorite dry fly rod for medium rivers.
I bet that is an excellent rod to cast for the situation that you describe!
Just snagged a 8.5 ft 4 wt T3 864 mid flex on ebay. It is in excellent condition. Bought a new battenkill II disk reel. Can’t wait to get out there and use it. Hard to find much information about these rods but your article spurred my purchase. Very happy so far!
Happy to hear it, Zack. That is going to be a great set up!