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orvis-cfo-fly-reel-review

For longtime fans of Orvis Fly Reels, the CFO model is a cherished heritage reel whose simple design harkens back to the origins of the Orvis Company. In fact, the CFO name comes from Charles Frederick Orvis himself, distinguishing this model as a timeless clicker within the Orvis Fly Reel lineup. But does this current version maintain the legacy of previous models, or is it a modern reel with a classic facade?  In this review, we’ll attempt to answer this question as we examine the newest iteration of the Orvis CFO, diving into its technical features and overall design elements. If you’re interested in click-and-pawl reels, keep reading to learn more about the Orvis CFO Fly Reel and decide if it's the right choice for your collection.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Made in the USA 
  • Extremely lightweight
  • One of the best-sounding clicks on the market

Cons

  • Expensive for a click-and-pawl reel
  • Its traditional arbor means lackluster retrieval performance

Who It’s For

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The Orvis CFO Fly Reel is designed for the connoisseur of American-made click-and-pawl reels. This tool doesn’t offer spectacular performance in terms of retrieval rate or drag, but rather a well-crafted, lightweight clicker that sounds delightful and pays homage to the original Orvis Fly Reels of yesteryear. In many ways, the CFO is the Volkswagen Beetle of fly reels. The Beetle is not the most high-performance or sporty car, but it has a rich history, simple design, and is beloved by a devoted group of connoisseurs who appreciate its timeless charm. For anglers who enjoy fishing freshwater - especially small stream fishing - with a click-and-pawl reel, the Orvis CFO is a solid USA-made choice.

Weight

The size III Orvis CFO weighs in at 3.62 ounces, which is exceptionally lightweight for a 5-weight reel. And although many click-and-pawl reels are slightly lighter than the CFO, such as the Redington Zero (2.95 ounces), and the Ross Colorado (3.5 ounces), the CFO is still a great option for balancing lightweight creek rods for bluelining or backpacking expeditions. That being said, there are likely a contingent of Orvis fans who actually prefer a heftier clicker reel, especially for balancing bamboo or fiberglass rods. For those anglers, it may be logical to upsize to a larger reel size for some additional weight.

Drag

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The Orvis CFO features an adjustable and reversible clicker, but no drag per se. Like any click & pawl reel, the resistance you’ll get with the CFO is just enough to avoid a birds nest of fly line, but not enough to offer any notable stopping power while fishing.

Sound

Although sound is a subjective category, we unanimously agreed that the CFO sounds fantastic. It sounds classic and high-quality, similar to the Hardy Perfect but maybe even a smidge better. Check out our YouTube video to hear it and decide for yourself!

Spool & Cage Design

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The CFO’s spool features a traditional arbor, aka very small, so don’t expect quick line pickup with this classic design. Again, back to the VW Beetle analogy - don’t expect your beetle to go 0-60 in record time - it’s not designed to do that. We measured the size III CFO to have a 2.6” maximum diameter, a spool width of 0.6”, and an arbor diameter of 0.48”. These specs will yield approximately 4.15” of fly line per revolution, which is on the lower end of modern trout reels, but about on par for traditional arbor reels. For anglers who are accustomed to these smaller arbors, this will perform how they’d expect. For anglers who are used to larger arbor reels, be prepared to do lots of winding.

Looks & Ergonomics

The overall appearance of the new Orvis CFO Fly Reel hasn’t changed much over the past 50 years. It still features essentially the same porting design and sizing as the originals did, with any significant changes manifesting as tighter tolerances and better machining. This new version is available in a Type-III anodized black aluminum color with a silver reel foot, which looks sharp, although we’d love to have a few other color options like all-silver or all-bronze.

Ergonomically, the CFO is also largely unchanged, featuring a modestly-sized handle, click adjustment knob, and spool release. Although we generally like larger, easy-to-grab components, we think the smaller componentry on the CFO fits its classic design and is adequate for small-stream fishing or other relaxed freshwater pursuits.

Warranty

Orvis Fly Reel Warranty

Value

Price: $329

Priced just under $350, the Orvis CFO is a mid-priced fly reel by most respects. That being said, there are two ways you could view the CFO as a consumer. On one hand, the CFO is pretty expensive for a click-and-pawl reel. There are reels like the Orvis Battenkill Click ($159) and the Redington Zero ($110) that offer comparable or even better performance for a fraction of the price. On the other hand, the Orvis CFO is made in the USA, which can often push prices up well into the premium price range. Additionally, when compared to the Hardy Perfect ($895), the CFO almost feels like a bargain for its comparable performance at a third of the price. So, whether the Orvis CFO offers good value really depends on your perspective. For 90% of anglers, the CFO is probably a smidge overpriced given its lack of a drag and rudimentary performance specs. But for the other 10% of anglers who are either passionate click-and-pawl junkies or loyal patrons of Orvis, the USA-made CFO will surely be regarded as a solid value reel.

Conclusion

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The CFO has been a cornerstone fly reel in Orvis’ lineup for nearly 50 years, and we’re happy to see this new iteration carry on that tradition. Although not much has changed in that time, that’s really part of the charm of this legacy click-and-pawl reel. Orvis aficionados will appreciate the new CFO’s incredible-sounding clicker, lightweight design, and meticulous USA-made workmanship. And although it won’t offer quick line pickup or any notable drag pressure, its simple design is meant for carefree days spent on small water - the type of fishing where you don’t need to think about your reel, but you know it will do its job reliably. Overall, the Orvis CFO remains a great choice for anglers who prioritize American-made craftsmanship and the simplicity of a handsome clicker over high-tech drags and whopping retrieval rates. If you’re looking for a dependable click-and-pawl reel that features classic looks but with modern state-of-the-art construction, the Orvis CFO Fly Reel is a fantastic option.

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