Orvis Recon 5WT 9'
- Blanks are matte olive with charcoal and spring green accent
- Quick rod identifier on the blank
- Silver snake and stripping guide
- Pewter type III anodized aluminum reel seat with wood insert
- Nylon covered rod tube
- 25-Year Guarantee
Description
Orvis Recon 905
9' 5 weight, 4 piece fly rod
If ever there was a standard for all-around performance on larger streams, rivers, and lakes for multiple species of fish, the Recon 905-4 is a rod that can handle big trout, bass, and panfish from coast to coast. This length/weight rod is the number one selling configuration. Its length and mid-range line weight give it great versatility for dry-fly fishing, streamer fishing, perfect for a drift boat, and nymphing mid to light/heavy rigs. When you want to cover water, throw everything from an Adams to a deer-hair popper, the Recon 905-4 is an exceptional choice for all-around versatility in a mid-price fly rod with premium performance built in.
Recon is the rod designed for the anglers who chase blue lines on topo maps and spend their nights bent over maps, plotting the next day’s adventures. For those who manage riverside meals of granola bars and jerky paired with the evening hatch instead of a sit-down meal at a sane hour. For anglers who would rather spend the day in the front of a skiff than behind a desk, we’ve created a rod ready to work as hard as you do in the pursuit of fish. Recon teams high-performance feel with lightness in hand. With close-in loading ability and the power for longer reach, the rods feature a modern shadow green blank and covert black nickel hardware.
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.
Orvis Recon
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Q: What specific fishing scenarios did you design this rod for, and where do you feel it truly excels in performance? A: Like the Helios 905D but a touch softer.
Q: What fly line would you recommend pairing with this rod? A: Orvis Hydros Trout (True to Weight) or Scientific Anglers Infinity (1/2 Size Heavy)
| empty | 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 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 27 |
| Caster 2 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 38.5 |
| Caster 3 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 28 |
| Combined | 10 | 10 | 8.5 | 10.5 | 9.5 | 8 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9 | 9 | 93.5 |
7.5' 3x leader with size 4 Zonker
- Soft and slightly not as refined as the Helios D as Orvis says. It’s an OK fly rod, but did not Belgian cast well.
- Nice rod, performed well handling weight at all distances. Relatively smooth. Wish it bent further in the rod.
- As advertised. Softer than the Helios D, but looser action. A bit tippy at 40’ and 50’.
| empty | 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 |
10' 5x leader with Yard Indicator
- Hard to stop once it gets going. Swing weight becomes hard to control at further distances.
- A nice performance on the dry fly course. Smooth and easy to be accurate. Good load at all distances.
- Wobbly at 50’, but closer in it is minor, but present
| empty | 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 |
9' leader with size 8 Girdle Bug and size 16 BH Pheasant Tail
- Very smooth and easy to roll cast at 40’. A lot of touch on the mend.
- This was an above average rod for the nymph course.
The Orvis Recon 5-weight offers a softer, more approachable action compared to the Helios D, with solid all-around performance that holds up well across trout fishing scenarios. The rod placed ninth in the streamer course, sixth in the nymph course, and seventh overall in performance. It’s smooth, easy to load, and particularly effective on the nymph course, offering good touch on the mend and roll casts. While the rod performs nicely in close and at mid-range, it becomes slightly wobbly and less controlled at longer distances, with a swing weight that’s harder to manage beyond 50 feet. A capable, budget-conscious option that delivers respectable performance, though with slightly less refinement and stability than premium models.
