Orvis Clearwater 5WT 9'
In Stock • Bozeman, MT
- Blanks are black chrome with white accents
- Quick rod identifier on the blank
- Chrome snake and stripping guide with a ceramic insert
- Full black nickel aluminum reel seats
- Comes with gray rod tube
- 25-Year Guarantee
Description
Orvis Clearwater 905
9' 5 weight, 4 piece fly rod
The new Clearwater Rod Series is not just a cosmetic facelift, but a complete overhaul from the ground up by our Vermont rod designers. Everything has changed except the value. It's still the best fly rod you can buy for the money, but with a significant upgrade in performance and looks in a comprehensive series that covers every angler from small stream addicts to Skagit slinging two-handers. Each rod was designed with a purpose-built profile and action to handle the kind of fishing the rod model would be traditionally used for, from medium-action small stream rods to medium-fast freshwater rods and fast-action big game rods.
Invitational Review
From the manufacturer: What specific fishing scenarios did you design this rod for, and where do you feel it truly excels in performance?
All-purpose rod that lowers the bar for anglers and allows them to experiment with various rigs and techniques.
From the manufacturer: What fly line would you recommend pairing with this rod?
Caster Scores:
STREAMER COURSE - TOTAL SCORE 89.5/150
|
Orvis Clearwater |
30' Cast |
40' Cast |
50' Cast |
30' Wind |
40' Wind |
50' Wind |
Reach Cast 30' |
Reach Cast 30' Wind |
Belgian Cast 30' |
Belgian Cast 30' Wind |
FINAL SCORE |
|
|
Caster 1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
30 |
|
|
Caster 2 |
3.5 |
3 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
31.5 |
|
|
Caster 3 |
3 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
3 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
28 |
|
|
Combined |
9.5 |
8.5 |
9 |
9.5 |
8.5 |
8.5 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
89.5 |
DRY FLY COURSE - TOTAL SCORE 126.5/195
|
Orvis Recon |
20' Cast |
30' Cast |
40' Cast |
50' Cast |
20' Wind |
30' Wind |
40' Wind |
50' Wind |
Pile Cast 30' |
Reach Cast 30' |
Reach Cast 30' Wind |
False Cast 30' |
False Cast 30' Wind |
FINAL SCORE |
|
|
Caster 1 |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
2.5 |
3 |
2.5 |
36.5 |
|
|
Caster 2 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
50 |
|
|
Caster 3 |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3.5 |
3 |
3.5 |
40 |
|
|
Combined |
8.5 |
9.5 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
10.5 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
126.5 |
NYMPH COURSE - TOTAL SCORE 69/105
|
Orvis Recon |
Roll Cast 30' |
Roll Cast 40' |
Mend at 30' |
Mend at 40' |
Casting 20' |
Casting 30' |
Casting 40' |
FINAL SCORE |
|
|
Caster 1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
21 |
|
|
Caster 2 |
3 |
4 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
4 |
25 |
|
|
Caster 3 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
23 |
|
|
Combined |
9.5 |
10.5 |
9.5 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
10.5 |
69 |
Caster Notes:
Streamer Course | 7.5’ 3x leader with size 4 Zonker
-
It has a nice taper and is easy to cast. The grip is big and it does feel heavy. Overall this is a consistent fly rod.
-
Rod is fine. Above average short, and fine with more line, not better. Heavy in hand. Has power and is relatively smooth.
-
Grip is too long. Tippy, and pretty stiff butt/mid. It is okay in short, unpleasant at longer casts. Action is not unified or smooth.
Dry Fly Course | 10’ 5x leader with Yard Indicator
-
The rod is fine, but has a “clunky” feel. It was average throughout the course.
-
Wobbly at all distances, especially in the wind.
Nymph Course | 9’ leader with size 8 Girdle Bug and size 16 BH Pheasant Tail
-
Could help a little more on a 40’ roll. Good feedback on overhead cast. Sligh hinge at 20’.
-
Decent roll casting and mending at 30’ and 40’.
Yellow Dog Finale Takeaway
The Orvis Clearwater 5-weight is a solid, budget-friendly option that offers consistency and ease of casting, particularly for newer or value-conscious anglers. It has a serviceable taper and decent power, performing best at short to mid-range distances. However, the rod feels heavy in hand, with a bulky grip, and suffers from a clunky, unrefined action—especially at longer distances where it becomes wobbly and less responsive. The rod did place tenth in the streamer course and eighth in the nymph course. While it handles nymph rigs reasonably well and offers good feedback on overhead casts, the overall action lacks unity and finesse. A dependable entry-level rod, but not without its limitations.
Warranty
The Orvis 25-Year guarantee means we’ll fix your broken rod. If we can't fix it, we replace it, no questions asked.
Purchase an H3, Recon, Superfine Glass or Carbon (since 01/01/88), Clearwater (since 01/01/99), or Clearwater Frequent Flyer rod from Orvis or an authorized Orvis dealer and we will repair or replace it no matter what the reason, for a quarter of a century. Step on it, close the door on it, run over it with the car - it doesn't matter, we'll fix it. If we can't repair it, we'll replace it with a newer model rod of at least equal value. Your investment is assured for a nominal handling fee of $60.
For Helios 3 and New Clearwater series rods, we are excited to offer our new section replacement program. We’re committed to getting you back on the water in 5 Business days. Although our standard shipping alert on the checkout page will list 3-5 Days – We’re upgrading your shipment to 2-Day. We’re looking forward to seeing you out on the water and hearing your valued feedback.
This 25-year guarantee also applies to all Orvis premium fly rods made since January 1, 1988, and Clearwater rods made since January 1, 1999.*
*Please note that this warranty does not apply to the original Frequent Flyer series (purchased previously to January 2014) or Clearwater rods purchased before 1999, nor does it apply to our Streamline, Green Mountain or Encounter fly rod series, which are warranted for defects in original workmanship only.
