Overview

The Orvis Clearwater is the fly rod Orvis calls the best for the money, with a model for nearly every angler and pursuit. The current series is a ground-up redesign by Orvis's rod designers in Vermont, with upgraded performance and looks at the same value, and it suits first-time anglers and experienced anglers filling out a quiver or adding a backup rod.

Each Clearwater has a purpose-built action: medium for small streams, medium-fast for general freshwater, and fast for big game, plus two-handed switch and spey models for swinging flies. All are 4-piece and come with a gray rod tube, finished with a black chrome blank, chrome guides and a black nickel aluminum reel seat.

Which Clearwater Should You Choose?

Small streams and spring creeks: 2S695151 (7'6" 3 wt) or 2S7C5151 (8'6" 4 wt).

One trout rod: 2S7J5151 (9' 5 wt), the most popular Clearwater, or 2S7H5151 (8'6" 5 wt).

Euro nymphing and long drifts: 2S7A5151 (10' 3 wt) or 2S7F5151 (10' 4 wt).

Streamers, bass and big trout: 2S7K5151 (10' 5 wt) or 2S7N5151 (9' 7 wt).

Boats, kayaks and beaches: 2S7M5151 (9'6" 6 wt).

Single-hand steelhead: 2S7P5151 (10' 7 wt) or 2S7S5151 (10' 8 wt).

Two-handed swinging: 2S745151 (11' 7 wt switch), 2S755151 (11' 8 wt switch) or 2S795151 (13' 7 wt spey).

Big game and saltwater: 2S7X5151 (9' 10 wt).

Orvis Clearwater Specs

Orvis Clearwater Models

2S695151 - 7'6" 3 wt

A small-stream rod with the light touch and precision for delicate presentations on high mountain streams and spring creeks, where casting in tight spaces matters.

Best for: small streams, spring creeks, tight quarters.

Line pairing: A delicate 3 wt trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Creek Trout (WF3F) or the SA Amplitude Textured Double Taper (DT3F).

2S7A5151 - 10' 3 wt

Built for European nymphing. Its length and sensitivity keep you in contact with multi-fly nymph rigs and reduce line sag, and it also fishes dries, dry-droppers and indicator rigs.

Best for: Euro nymphing, tight-line and indicator nymphing.

Line pairing: A Euro nymph line, or a light 3 wt trout line for dries. We recommend the SA Mastery Euro Tactical Nymph (0.022 in level) or the SA Amplitude Textured Trout Expert (WF3F).

2S7C5151 - 8'6" 4 wt

The finesse to place a dry fly delicately, fire a small streamer at a cut bank or fish a light nymph rig close in.

Best for: dries and light nymphs on small to medium streams.

Line pairing: A 4 wt trout taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF4F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF4F).

2S7E5151 - 9' 4 wt

A light, responsive 4 wt with the reach and line control for bigger water and longer casts.

Best for: light trout fishing on bigger rivers, longer casts.

Line pairing: A 4 wt trout taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF4F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Expert (WF4F).

2S7F5151 - 10' 4 wt

A versatile light trout and panfish rod for nymphing, small streamers and long dry-fly drifts, with extra line control and sensitivity.

Best for: nymphing, long drifts, panfish.

Line pairing: A 4 wt trout taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF4F) or the RIO Elite Technical Trout (WF4F).

2S7H5151 - 8'6" 5 wt

A versatile 5 wt equally at home on small streams and bigger water. Orvis says it could be the only trout rod you need, and it handles light bass too.

Best for: all-round trout, small streams to rivers, light bass.

Line pairing: A 5 wt trout taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Trout GP (WF5F).

2S7J5151 - 9' 5 wt

The most popular Clearwater and the go-to 5 wt for Western rivers and bigger Eastern water. It has the reach to control longer drifts and mend at distance, and the power for streamers, attractor-dropper rigs, big hoppers, bigger trout and light bass.

Best for: one rod for most trout water, drifts and mending, hoppers and streamers.

Line pairing: A 5 wt weight-forward trout line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the RIO Elite Gold (WF5F).

2S7K5151 - 10' 5 wt

A versatile freshwater rod with reach and line control for streamers, heavier nymph rigs and longer dry-fly drifts, and the power for larger trout, bass and panfish.

Best for: streamers, heavy nymph rigs, big rivers.

Line pairing: A 5 wt trout taper, or a sink tip for streamers. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF5F) or the SA Sonar Titan Sink Tip Sink 3 (WF5F).

2S7M5151 - 9'6" 6 wt

A fresh and saltwater rod with extended reach and line control for fishing from boats, kayaks and beaches.

Best for: kayak and boat fishing, beaches, light saltwater.

Line pairing: A 6 wt saltwater or all-purpose taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF6F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF6F).

2S7N5151 - 9' 7 wt

A versatile fresh and saltwater rod for bigger trout, bass, smaller bonefish, schoolie stripers and bluefish.

Best for: bass, big trout streamers, light saltwater.

Line pairing: A 7 wt all-purpose or saltwater taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF7F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF7F).

2S7P5151 - 10' 7 wt

A single-handed steelhead rod with reach and line control for subsurface nymphing and dead-drift presentations, also suited to multiple-density lines on reservoirs and stillwaters.

Best for: single-hand steelhead, indicator nymphing, stillwater.

Line pairing: A 7 wt floating or sink-tip line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity (WF7F) or the SA Sonar Titan Sink Tip Sink 3 (WF7F).

2S745151 - 11' 7 wt switch

A two-handed switch rod for swinging flies to smaller steelhead on small tributaries, or overhead casting to reach stripers on a beach. It works with indicator setups and is a handy option for medium rivers, close wading, boats and brushy banks.

Best for: small-river steelhead, swinging streamers, beach stripers.

Line pairing: Skagit heads of about 360-440 grains, or Scandi heads near 360 grains.

2S795151 - 13' 7 wt spey

An all-around two-handed spey rod for big and smaller water, with the power for larger fish yet light enough to cast all day. The extra length lifts more line, mends farther and holds a controlled swing on big water.

Best for: steelhead and salmon on medium to large rivers.

Line pairing: Skagit heads of about 440-520 grains, or Scandi heads near 450 grains.

2S7S5151 - 10' 8 wt

Built for single-handed steelheading and saltwater shore fishing, where the extra length helps keep backcasts off the beach.

Best for: steelhead, surf and shore saltwater.

Line pairing: An 8 wt floating or saltwater line. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF8F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan Long Taper (WF8F).

2S755151 - 11' 8 wt switch

A two-handed rod for swinging indicator rigs or big streamers in rivers and tidal currents, plus overhead casting, for steelhead, salmon and medium to light saltwater.

Best for: steelhead, salmon, tidal rivers.

Line pairing: A Skagit or Scandi head matched to an 8 wt switch rod.

2S7X5151 - 9' 10 wt

Throws big flies in wind and handles hard-pulling fish: Northeast stripers and bluefish, winter bull redfish, permit, juvenile tarpon and barracuda, and freshwater pike and big largemouth in heavy cover. It has a fighting butt.

Best for: stripers, bull redfish, permit, pike.

Line pairing: A 10 wt saltwater or big-fly taper. We recommend the SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam (WF10F) or the SA Amplitude Smooth Striper (WF10F).

Clearwater vs Recon vs Helios

Orvis builds three rod families at different prices. Clearwater is the best value, designed in Vermont for every kind of fishing. The Orvis Recon is made in the USA with technology from the Helios for a step up in performance, and the Orvis Helios is Orvis's flagship rod, built in Vermont. The 9' 6 wt and 9' 8 wt Clearwater are listed separately on our Clearwater 6 and 8 wt page.

Orvis Clearwater FAQ

Is the Clearwater good for beginners?

Yes. Orvis designs it for first-time anglers as well as experienced anglers who want a backup or a rod for a new kind of fishing.

Which Clearwater is best for trout?

The 2S7J5151 (9' 5 wt) is the most popular all-round trout rod. Choose the 8'6" 5 wt for smaller streams or a 10' model for nymphing.

Does the Clearwater come with a case?

Yes, each Clearwater rod comes with a gray rod tube.

What is the warranty?

Orvis covers the Clearwater under its 25-Year Guarantee for the original owner: Orvis repairs a broken rod, or replaces it with a model of equal or greater value if it cannot be repaired. Orvis charges a handling fee for each repair, and lost or stolen rods are not covered.