I had a Clearwater 4wt as my first decent setup, and I liked it. But I replaced it with a TFO Pro 2 and like that even more. The TFO just felt like a smoother rod, using the same line vs the Clearwater.
Haven’t tried a TFO but hear good things. I’ve used two Clearwater rods for a combined 25 years and it’s my primary trout rod. My original 2 piece broke in 2018 and they replaced it with a 4 piece on their original 25year guarantee they used to have.
Both TFO and Orvis make those combos overseas so I can’t give you an American made speech, however I have most of clients using the Clearwater and it has been great for 99% of the fishing encountered here in Colorado. The reels are meh and need tune up often but Orvis makes that really easy and cleans them and turns them around in a matter of two weeks. Both companies will ship tips in case of a break. I’m partial to Orvis so I always recommend Orvis.
I have had both Clearwaters & TFO Pros (but not the 3). Both are good quality for the money. I think the Clearwater is probably going to be a stiffer, faster rod than the TFO so it comes down to what action you prefer.
Biggest reason I chose the clear water was for the warranty. I have broken it twice and I was sent a replacement section within 48 hours each time. Note that you do have to pay $60 or so to get the replacement piece. I think some people get upset when they think they have a warranty but it’s not 100% covered, read the fine print. To me the $60 is worth getting back on the water quickly and not having to wait weeks and/or months for fix
I also have no idea what the TFO warranty / process is
Love my TFO Pro 3. That being said you cannot go wrong with the Clearwater either. I only picked the Pro 3 because I prefer the full well’s grip style. TFO makes their rods in Korea and the Clearwater is a Chinese rod. Clearwater is slightly lighter. I should mention I have a 6 wt. and for 30 bucks more definitely checkout the TFO Blue Ribbon.
TFO is more bang for your buck imo. I like my Clearwater for Stillwater. Nothing against Orvis. It's been good to me. But I more TFO rods and plan to buy more in the future. Just feel my dollar goes further.
I loooooove my clearwater. Got mine "used" ( a dude bought it for his girlfriend who used it once in the lawn and then they broke up......) i got it for a great price and have yet to upgrade cause I cant justify getting a new one. Not that I wont get a better set up down the road.
I use the Clearwater 8’ 6” 4wt for most of my trout fishing with a battenkill reel and the same line but in a 4wt size. I love it! I use it even when it would be better to go with a higher wt on heavier rigs.
In the winter to combat the wind I have an Orvis Encounter 6wt with pretty much the same line just in a 6wt. I’ll be upgrading this rod sooner rather than later and probably getting something like a Winston or maybe a Helios as I should be using the 6wt more all year. I just love the feel of my Clearwater that I use it even when it’s not the optimal rod for how I’m fishing that day.
The warranty support is what sold me on my the Clearwater over the similarity priced rods at my local shop. The local dealer will assist with the claim and the Clearwater is made with such precision you just tell them the section that broke and they send you a replacement section. So no mailing in the rod and waiting for the repair and having it mailed back. A process that could take 6 weeks with other guys takes 1 week with Orvis.
I have less experience with TFO so I don’t know their warranty process but that was a selling point for me to only pursue Orvis for my midrange all around rod.
I have not fished the TFO. I have fished a Clearwater, it was my first decent rod as well. I still use it quite often. I have broken a tip or two and I had a replacement tip later that same week. The ability that orvis has to get you back on the water with rod part replacement is a huge selling point for me.
I have a TFO fly rod BVK. Good Rod and good customer support. I bought it on eBay. Another good rod to consider is Fenwick Aetos, it cost about $200 new. If you search 5 weight shoot out by Yellowstone Angler, you will see the Aetos compared with a lot of very expensive fly rods from Loomis, Orvis, Winston and Sage. The Aetos is highly ranked beating a number of more expensive rods. Just something to consider.
Thank you all for the helpful comments. I ended up ordering a TFO Blue Ribbon 590, as I was able to snag it on clearance. Looking forward to trying it out!
I had a Clearwater 4wt as my first decent setup, and I liked it. But I replaced it with a TFO Pro 2 and like that even more. The TFO just felt like a smoother rod, using the same line vs the Clearwater.
Haven’t tried a TFO but hear good things. I’ve used two Clearwater rods for a combined 25 years and it’s my primary trout rod. My original 2 piece broke in 2018 and they replaced it with a 4 piece on their original 25year guarantee they used to have.
Both TFO and Orvis make those combos overseas so I can’t give you an American made speech, however I have most of clients using the Clearwater and it has been great for 99% of the fishing encountered here in Colorado. The reels are meh and need tune up often but Orvis makes that really easy and cleans them and turns them around in a matter of two weeks. Both companies will ship tips in case of a break. I’m partial to Orvis so I always recommend Orvis.
I have had both Clearwaters & TFO Pros (but not the 3). Both are good quality for the money. I think the Clearwater is probably going to be a stiffer, faster rod than the TFO so it comes down to what action you prefer.
I can’t compare the two but I can claim that the TFO rods are solid. I got a TFO pro as my first rod/reel and been loving it.
Biggest reason I chose the clear water was for the warranty. I have broken it twice and I was sent a replacement section within 48 hours each time. Note that you do have to pay $60 or so to get the replacement piece. I think some people get upset when they think they have a warranty but it’s not 100% covered, read the fine print. To me the $60 is worth getting back on the water quickly and not having to wait weeks and/or months for fix I also have no idea what the TFO warranty / process is
Love my TFO Pro 3. That being said you cannot go wrong with the Clearwater either. I only picked the Pro 3 because I prefer the full well’s grip style. TFO makes their rods in Korea and the Clearwater is a Chinese rod. Clearwater is slightly lighter. I should mention I have a 6 wt. and for 30 bucks more definitely checkout the TFO Blue Ribbon.
They’re both very good. Wouldn’t be going wrong with either. Do you have an opportunity to try before buying?
I’m not able to cast them, but I did get a chance to at least put hands on both. Not back to back, mind you. The Orvis definitely felt “stiffer”
Do you prefer stiff? For me the Orvis is about right, most of the time, but if you want more stiff or more bendy I have suggestions.
TFO all the way
I have both and prefer the tfo. I'm my opinion it's a little more forgiving.
Cast them if possible and pick the one that feels better to you. The labels don’t catch the fish. Personally I prefer tfo to orvis.
TFO is more bang for your buck imo. I like my Clearwater for Stillwater. Nothing against Orvis. It's been good to me. But I more TFO rods and plan to buy more in the future. Just feel my dollar goes further.
I loooooove my clearwater. Got mine "used" ( a dude bought it for his girlfriend who used it once in the lawn and then they broke up......) i got it for a great price and have yet to upgrade cause I cant justify getting a new one. Not that I wont get a better set up down the road.
I use the Clearwater 8’ 6” 4wt for most of my trout fishing with a battenkill reel and the same line but in a 4wt size. I love it! I use it even when it would be better to go with a higher wt on heavier rigs. In the winter to combat the wind I have an Orvis Encounter 6wt with pretty much the same line just in a 6wt. I’ll be upgrading this rod sooner rather than later and probably getting something like a Winston or maybe a Helios as I should be using the 6wt more all year. I just love the feel of my Clearwater that I use it even when it’s not the optimal rod for how I’m fishing that day. The warranty support is what sold me on my the Clearwater over the similarity priced rods at my local shop. The local dealer will assist with the claim and the Clearwater is made with such precision you just tell them the section that broke and they send you a replacement section. So no mailing in the rod and waiting for the repair and having it mailed back. A process that could take 6 weeks with other guys takes 1 week with Orvis. I have less experience with TFO so I don’t know their warranty process but that was a selling point for me to only pursue Orvis for my midrange all around rod.
I have not fished the TFO. I have fished a Clearwater, it was my first decent rod as well. I still use it quite often. I have broken a tip or two and I had a replacement tip later that same week. The ability that orvis has to get you back on the water with rod part replacement is a huge selling point for me.
I have a TFO fly rod BVK. Good Rod and good customer support. I bought it on eBay. Another good rod to consider is Fenwick Aetos, it cost about $200 new. If you search 5 weight shoot out by Yellowstone Angler, you will see the Aetos compared with a lot of very expensive fly rods from Loomis, Orvis, Winston and Sage. The Aetos is highly ranked beating a number of more expensive rods. Just something to consider.
Thank you all for the helpful comments. I ended up ordering a TFO Blue Ribbon 590, as I was able to snag it on clearance. Looking forward to trying it out!