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Travel Rod Test

Manufacturer: Orvis
Model: Trident TL 905-4 Tip-Flex 9.5
No of sections: 4
Length: 9'
Line weight: 5
Price: £470

Description

Green low gloss blank with green wraps and tip over butt ferrules. American snake rings and hat fork tip-top. Lined stripping ring. High quality wood insert reel seat with gold end cap and locking mechanism. Good quality reverse half wells handle. Supplied in rod bag with covered tube with identifying plate on the end. Standard Orvis 25 year guarantee.

Testers' comments

Terry Lawton: To me this rod had a very similar feel to the Redington DFR: both are a bit too fast and tip-actioned for me. I found that it cast well at short range but it was difficult to cast over longer distances when you had to get everything just right. It was a slightly difficult and quite demanding rod. The build quality could have been better for the price. Interestingly, Peter and I arrived at similar conclusions on this rod although we got there by different routes.

Peter Sutton: Having used the two other Orvis rods first and knowing my usual preference for fast, tippy rods I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately I was largely disappointed.

The fixtures, fittings and build quality were as for the other Trident rod but I was disappointed by its casting performance compared to the Orvis 6 weight rods. I tested it with the Lee Wulf TT5/6 line which should have suited it well but found the rod over delicate in the tip and unable to give the line speed and loop control I expect in a rod of this price and I couldn't say that its performance was more than adequate in any department. However if your fishing is confined to rivers and streams and it is not necessary to cast long distances I am sure this rod will do the job. It is not however a rod for use on still waters where it may sometimes be necessary to cast longer distances.

Summary

Performance somewhat suspect. A good river rod when long casts will not be required. 7/10

The rods

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