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This post is part of our Fly Line Shootout, so if you haven't read our main post, you probably want to check it out.

About Orvis Fly Lines

Orvis is another brand that needs no introduction. Founded in 1856, they've been in the fly fishing business a long, long time. Orvis has been selling its own brand of fly lines since 1971. Today, Orvis lines are made by Scientific Anglers (which is also owned by Orvis). Orvis lines can be broken down into 4 product lines: Clearwater, Access, Hydros, and Hydros HD. Clearwater and Access lines are 'entry level' and priced to be accessible to the beginning angler. Hydros is Orvis' premier line of high-performance fly lines and the HD designation means the line is textured for less friction through the guides.

The Reviews:

Orvis Access Freshwater

Price: $59.00

The Hype: The Access WF Trout Line is a versatile freshwater floating trout fly line offering outstanding performance across a broad range of conditions. The supple core turns over flies with ease and the mid-length weight forward head makes for easy casting and mending.

Taper Diagram:

Casting Notes:

The Access is Orvis’ ‘entry level’ trout line. As such, we weren’t expecting to be blown away by its performance… and we weren’t. The Access is a close-loading average line that throws tighter loops than some of its competitors. It’s only real shortcoming was in the roll-casting department where it’s shorter head made it difficult to contend with the top performers.

Pros:

• Loads close
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• Across the board performance was average

Bottom line: A good line for beginners looking to save a buck.

Orvis Hydros HD Easy Mend

Price: $98.00

The Hype: An extra-long head… plays the key role in allowing this line to excel at mending and managing the drift even at long, challenging distances.

Taper Diagram:

Casting Notes:

With the 5^th longest head in our test, the Easy Mend certainly lives up to its claim of easier line management. What’s left out of the marketing is how well this line performs in terms of both presentation and distance. Further, while I’m not willing to commit to the texturing as being the reason for it, Easy Mend shot line well too.

While Easy Mend performed really well with a dry, it lacked the power to really turn over a larger nymph rig or a larger streamer. So, while it will be totally adequate for a light nymph rig, so will virtually any other line in this test. That means it’s really only an average nymphing and streamer line, which limits its usefulness as an all-around line.

Pros:

• An above average line for fishing dries.
• Excellent line management

Cons:

• Not a great line for nymphing/streamers
• Beginners won’t be able to take advantage of many of the  strengths of this line
• Can we get some back loops?

Bottom line: If you’re a better caster who fishes dries, this is an excellent choice, particularly if long distance mends are something you do often

Orvis Hydros HD Trout

Price: $98.00

The Hype: The microreplicated HD texturing pattern increases line durability, allowing for easier pick-ups, less drag, easier mending, and greater shootability, while our versatile trout taper has got you covered in any situation.

Taper Diagram:

Casting Notes:

Orvis Hydros HD reminded me a lot of SA GPX which is a very good thing. It does everything pretty well, but just not quite as well as GPX. Part of the reason for that is that HD Trout is true-to-size, and while we view this as a plus (and commend Orvis for sticking to the standard); less mass means that it’s harder to cast a big nymph rig. Still, both Hydros Trout and Hydros HD Trout make a fine all-around fly line.

Despite being textured, we didn’t notice a lot of difference between Hydros Trout and Hydros HD Trout, and neither shot line particularly well.

Pros:

• True to size
• Pretty good all-around

Cons:

• We’re not sure the texturing does much to increase casting distance in this taper
• An average nymphing line
• Where are the back loops?

Bottom line:  A great all-around line that will work well on both fast and softer rods

Orvis Hydros Superfine

Price: $79

The Hype: This technical precision trout fly line is an excellent choice for spring creeks-slow moving, clear water situations where stealth and technical expertise is imperative.

Taper Diagram:

Casting Notes:

While there are definitely situations that call for technical presentations, I can assure you that the Orvis Hydros Superfine is NOT the line for those situations. This line has two serious issues: 1. It’s a 6-weight – and not barely a 6… a heavy 6-weight, 2. It’s pretty heavy up front, so it’s going to load your rod fast and splash hard (-ish).

Now that that’s settled, Orvis Superfine is actually a pretty great all-around line (just not a delicate presentation line). Being a long-rear taper line, it really feels lighter than a full 6-weight line that it is. It's almost like Rio Gold for faster rods. It does everything pretty well!

Pros:

• Great Loop Stability
• Does everything well.

Cons:

• Actually, this is a 6wt
• No back loop :-/

Bottom line: Another great choice from Orvis, but definitely a line that needs to get its marketing figured out.

Orvis Hydros Trout

Price: $84.99

The Hype: Put the odds in your favor with this weight-forward trout fly line. An innovative weight-forward taper combined with slightly larger line diameters produces a line that is ideal at close to medium range, but is still capable of delivering at distance.

Taper Diagram:

Casting Notes:

Hydros WF Trout is basically the same as Hydros HD Trout. So, we’re not going to repeat ourselves. Scroll up to read our notes. You should get this line if you don’t like texturing, or if you want to save a few bucks.

Pros:

• True to size
• Pretty good all-around

Cons:

• An average nymphing line
• No back loops on an $80 line?

Bottom line:  A great all-around line that will work well on both fast and softer rods

Orvis Saltwater Fly Line Reviews

Orvis Pro Saltwater Tropic Textured

Price: $129

The Hype: Orvis built this line with a “stout head for wind-cutting power” and a “carefully engineered front taper” for improved presentation capabilities.

Taper Diagram:

Casting Notes: This line is built to be versatile. As we’ve seen with other lines in the shootout, versatility often means the line is average across the board but doesn’t perform well in any particular category. This line, on the other hand, performed well in every category. Orvis has designed a really well-rounded line that loads fast action rods well at close range but also allows anglers to land a smaller fly delicately at longer distances. This is an easy line to carry in the air and its textured design also makes it a nice shooting line. 

The line also had great loop stability and encouraged quick, powerful casts during our testing. This line is also easy to pick up off of the water and recast quickly and accurately. The line’s textured surface supposedly captures air bubbles for increased floatation… whatever the case, it’s a really nice casting, high-performance line. While it’s a line geared toward the serious angler, it also received an alright score in the beginner category because of its castability and versatility.

Pros:

• Great performance across the board
• Texture encourages shooting and floating capabilities

Cons:

• Doesn’t have one particular strong suit
• Expensive at $129

Bottom Line: If you’re in the market for a high-performing all-around saltwater tropical line, this is one of the best options on the market.

Orvis Pro Saltwater Tropic Smooth

Price: $129

The Hype: With the same taper as the textured version of the line, Orvis designed this rod to be versatile and powerful.

Taper Diagram:

Casting Notes: This line has an identical taper to the textured version. In fact, when we weighed the lines, their head weights are nearly identical. This line, like the textured line, has great loop stability and phenomenal performance at distance. While you don’t get the extra floatation/shooting capabilities in the smooth line, it’s a little more delicate and great for Bonefish. See the notes on the Pro Saltwater Tropic Textured for more info. 

We had some difficulties measuring “Smooth” lines, in this case and with other lines in the shootout.

Pros:

• Great performance across the board
• Texture encourages shooting and floating capabilities

Cons:

• Doesn’t have one particular strong suit

Bottom Line: If you’re in the market for a high-performing all-around saltwater tropical line, this (along with the textured version) is one of the best options on the market.

Orvis Pro Saltwater Ignitor Textured

Price: $129

The Hype: The Saltwater Ignitor is a “fast-loading, powerful, weight-forward textured floating fly line designed for minimal false casts”.

Taper Diagram:

Casting Notes: We struggled with this line. While we really like other Orvis fly lines, the Ignitor was heavy and clunky at short distances and we had a tough time casting tight loops. It’s definitely not a line for delicate presentations or accuracy at shorter distances. That being said, it received a pretty good shooting score. It’s a line that’s made for large flies in windy conditions and it’s fine for blind casting. 

The lack of short-range accuracy and the encouragement of unstable loops means it’s probably not a great line for tailing fish. We expected the line to load the Meridian well at short range but even the Meridian didn’t fit the line quite right. As we pushed the line out to longer distances we got used to it more so maybe it just takes a little adjustment. That said, this probably isn’t the best choice for novice anglers looking for a caster-friendly line.

Pros:

• Decent performance when shooting line

Cons:

• A weird taper that’s in between short/aggressive/heavy and long/light
• Takes a little getting used to

Bottom Line: There are better lines on the market if you’re looking for a true shooting line made for quick shots/large flies.