Missed connection: '90s Orvis Rod

[DO_inthewoods]

Hey PAFlyFish brain trust!

I have a question hopefully someone might know the answer to. My father had broken his older Orvis rod 10 years ago and was replaced with an Orvis Ascent midflex.

Anyways, I'm looking to hunt down a version of his older rod for a birthday gift. All he remembers is he bought it new in 1995(+/-3 years) and it was a 5wt 7' 9", 2pc in a red tube. All I can find are some "Far and Fine" in that size.

Does anyone else have memory of other models or old catalogs to pick through?

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[hooker-of-men]

I went down this rabbit hole for the same dimension rod for the same reason a few years ago. There's a few models in 7'9". (The one I was seeking was a Green Mountain.)

I can't find a perfect match for yours, but I have two leads:

The HLS was made in the right size:

Orvis HLS 7'9" 5wt 2pc Rod

Pre-owned. 2 5/8 oz. Comes with factory aluminum tube.

bearsden.com

And the model appears to have sometimes been sold in a red tube (though this is the wrong rod length):

ORVIS HLS Graphite 8'6" #5 | eBay

<p><b>Condition :Used</b></p> <p><b>See the pictures for more details.</b></p> <p><b>If you have any question , please contact us.</b></p>.

www.ebay.com

 

[JoeE]

Superfine, far and fine and the green mountain were some of the names of the 7'9" 5wts. Orvis has good records and should help you. Orvis also produced a wonderful 7'9" bamboo rod during that time. I had numerous talks with Whitey when he was running the bamboo shop, but give them a call they will lead you in the right direction.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

Hey PAFlyFish brain trust!

I have a question hopefully someone might know the answer to. My father had broken his older Orvis rod 10 years ago and was replaced with an Orvis Ascent midflex.

Anyways, I'm looking to hunt down a version of his older rod for a birthday gift. All he remembers is he bought it new in 1995(+/-3 years) and it was a 5wt 7' 9", 2pc in a red tube. All I can find are some "Far and Fine" in that size.

Does anyone else have memory of other models or old catalogs to pick through?

Thanks so much in advance!

Was it a red canvas tube or the aluminum tube with the red label?
*Edit: nevermind I see the purchase date was 1995

 

[sixfootfenwick]

Orvis Fishing and Outdoor Catalog 1999 : Orvis : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Orvis Fishing and Outdoor catalog from 1999. Fly fishing, conventional fishing, outdoors, hunting, clothing.

archive.org

Here is the 1999 catalog. It's either a superfine or the silver label.
If you remember the reel seat and cork shape you will know which one.

 

[beadhead2]

I had a 7'9 5 wht in a Orvis Clearwater problably in the 90's

 

[DO_inthewoods]

Solved! (We think). It is likely the HLS 5wt 7'9". The key things were the red cloth covered tube (though similar to the trident), but his blank was unfinished with black ferules. I found some other pictures and my dad said the labels, stamp, and handle seat burl look right.

@hooker-of-men Thank you for those links, the 5wt is exactly it! Though that one comes with an aluminum tube (might have been an anniversary edition).

@JoeE Thanks for the advice. I always forget that Orvis, of course, has great internal records.

@sixfootfenwick Thanks for the catalog! Those later models all looked finished (except maybe the clearwater), this blank was unfinished.