I have a Redington path, very pleased with the performance. Upgraded the reel and fly line.
TrustyRombone4444 on
Can’t go wrong with the encounter.
twisty_sparks on
Echo all the way
nb00818 on
If its an option…Save up a little more money and get an orvis clearwater. You get orvis warranty and for the money its a great rod. Ive had one for 5 years and love it.
LG7019 on
I’ve been happy with my Redington rods. Orvis seems to have a reputation for broken tips. No experience with Echo.
SpreadEmu127332 on
The encounter is incredible for the money, the reel is a little crappy and absolutely DO NOT GET DUST IN IT, it will kill it, but otherwise a great rod for the money.
Dabtimore on
Dont get the encounter, especially if you are a beginner. That thing is like a broom stick. A reel on a 5 wt is just a line holder or on the encounter a piece of plastic.
Classicskyle on
100% the Redington. That’s what I still fish with
Ok-Helicopter-3505 on
I have a Reddington…It’s like Honda Accord; reliable, nothing fancy, gets you from point A to B.
Category_theory on
Upgrade and get a Clearwater! They are amazing at any price point!
e_spancert on
I have the Redington Original and the rod is great. The reel, albeit composite, does its job well and is serviceable.
The consensus is that the weak point on this setup is the line, which I agree with. That being said, it still casts and it still catches fish and will be totally sufficient to learn on. I’m barely to the point where my casting skills would benefit from a better line as it is anyway. I say use it until it wears out, then upgrade to somwthing better when you’re ready.
OneEyedDevilDog on
They’ll all catch fish equally well. I’d go with the orvis or redington, but 6 of one, half a dozen etc
Mobile_Educator_3313 on
Go with the encounter that’s what I have. It’s fantastic.
SidePressha on
Redington 100%
checksix6 on
Echo, but whichever you choose I would replace the stock fly line. They are usually mid at best.
angryfetus_68 on
I have a Redington path 7wt, and I love it. Caught an Atlantic salmon on it this month, and it handled that fish without a hitch. I also use it to pursue large trout night fishing. Upgrade the line, though. The fly line that comes with the combo is garbage.
mabbagi on
I have the same Echo lift kit. I really enjoy using it, still using it.
Chile_Chowdah on
Echo, the warranty is outstanding. I had to replace my kids base after a terrible day with his grandpa, they broke the rod and lost the case. Echo replaced the rod for free with a new case also for free, minus the shipping to get it to them of course. They earned my loyalty on that day for sure. I also have the 7’3 carbon xl 3wt, I love that little bad boy. I have Redington as well, love the rods but from what I see with the warranty info it’s not quite as good as echo. Either one will give you plenty of fun days on the water. Orvis is overpriced in my opinion and their warranty isn’t lifetime I believe.
JimboReborn on
Definitely the echo. The other 2 feel a lot cheaper
Austinkayakfisherman on
Orvis clearwaters are on sale now
Apprehensive_Sky8715 on
Echo
StomachRound750 on
I have encounter, my friend has a reddington original. The encounter is stiff. Whenever I cast my friends reddington rod I think “this is so much easier”. I tell myself it’s made me a better caster. It feels stiffer than some 8wt rods I’ve fished.
I went with orvis for the warranty. I didn’t have the ability to compare casting of different rods before purchasing.
Ive fished with my encounter outfit all over the place.
I called orvis about getting a new rod tube for my encounter, there was no phone tree and I was talking to the right person within a minute,. They said they could replace rod tube no problem but would also have to give me a new rod at the same time. I wanna use my rod till it breaks, so I held onto it. Not sure it’ll ever break.
Pjvie on
I’ve cast both the Redington Path and Freshwater quite a bit and I vastly prefer the Path. Freshwater is a lot slower of a rod than I prefer personally.
RamShackleton on
I’ve got a similar Redington Path combo and I’ve been happy with it, but the fly line that comes with it is really bad. I’d recommend replacing that early on.
GrantDonovan on
Orvis Clearwater 4wt if you are looking for one rod to do most things. The 4wt in that Clearwater will be a better overall rod. I’ve had mine for 10+ years and it just works great.
anonymouse3891 on
I’d get the echo
sarl__cagan on
I loved my encounter rod but got a Clearwater on sale (close to the encounter price) and it is a really high quality rod and a ton of fun to cast. So I guess option D. Or sounds like you can’t go wrong with the echo.
Los_Indigo_Buho on
TFO NXT is one of the best starter kits out there on a budget. I started on the Orvis that you’re considering: I replaced it within two uses. The reel is the real problem with it. Made of cheap plastic and not very reliable.
However, TFO NXT is the exact starter package I got my wife after fishing some of their higher end rods and I honestly believe it’s one of the best at that price point. I’ve caught fish on it on the Green River in Wyoming, and it can handle just about anything you need a 5 wt to handle. They sell around $180 for rod, reel and fly line. If you’re new to the sport and want to get a rod, go with the TFO NXT.
28 Comments
I have a Redington path, very pleased with the performance. Upgraded the reel and fly line.
Can’t go wrong with the encounter.
Echo all the way
If its an option…Save up a little more money and get an orvis clearwater. You get orvis warranty and for the money its a great rod. Ive had one for 5 years and love it.
I’ve been happy with my Redington rods. Orvis seems to have a reputation for broken tips. No experience with Echo.
The encounter is incredible for the money, the reel is a little crappy and absolutely DO NOT GET DUST IN IT, it will kill it, but otherwise a great rod for the money.
Dont get the encounter, especially if you are a beginner. That thing is like a broom stick. A reel on a 5 wt is just a line holder or on the encounter a piece of plastic.
100% the Redington. That’s what I still fish with
I have a Reddington…It’s like Honda Accord; reliable, nothing fancy, gets you from point A to B.
Upgrade and get a Clearwater! They are amazing at any price point!
I have the Redington Original and the rod is great. The reel, albeit composite, does its job well and is serviceable.
The consensus is that the weak point on this setup is the line, which I agree with. That being said, it still casts and it still catches fish and will be totally sufficient to learn on. I’m barely to the point where my casting skills would benefit from a better line as it is anyway. I say use it until it wears out, then upgrade to somwthing better when you’re ready.
They’ll all catch fish equally well. I’d go with the orvis or redington, but 6 of one, half a dozen etc
Go with the encounter that’s what I have. It’s fantastic.
Redington 100%
Echo, but whichever you choose I would replace the stock fly line. They are usually mid at best.
I have a Redington path 7wt, and I love it. Caught an Atlantic salmon on it this month, and it handled that fish without a hitch. I also use it to pursue large trout night fishing. Upgrade the line, though. The fly line that comes with the combo is garbage.
I have the same Echo lift kit. I really enjoy using it, still using it.
Echo, the warranty is outstanding. I had to replace my kids base after a terrible day with his grandpa, they broke the rod and lost the case. Echo replaced the rod for free with a new case also for free, minus the shipping to get it to them of course. They earned my loyalty on that day for sure. I also have the 7’3 carbon xl 3wt, I love that little bad boy. I have Redington as well, love the rods but from what I see with the warranty info it’s not quite as good as echo. Either one will give you plenty of fun days on the water. Orvis is overpriced in my opinion and their warranty isn’t lifetime I believe.
Definitely the echo. The other 2 feel a lot cheaper
Orvis clearwaters are on sale now
Echo
I have encounter, my friend has a reddington original. The encounter is stiff. Whenever I cast my friends reddington rod I think “this is so much easier”. I tell myself it’s made me a better caster. It feels stiffer than some 8wt rods I’ve fished.
I went with orvis for the warranty. I didn’t have the ability to compare casting of different rods before purchasing.
Ive fished with my encounter outfit all over the place.
I called orvis about getting a new rod tube for my encounter, there was no phone tree and I was talking to the right person within a minute,. They said they could replace rod tube no problem but would also have to give me a new rod at the same time. I wanna use my rod till it breaks, so I held onto it. Not sure it’ll ever break.
I’ve cast both the Redington Path and Freshwater quite a bit and I vastly prefer the Path. Freshwater is a lot slower of a rod than I prefer personally.
I’ve got a similar Redington Path combo and I’ve been happy with it, but the fly line that comes with it is really bad. I’d recommend replacing that early on.
Orvis Clearwater 4wt if you are looking for one rod to do most things. The 4wt in that Clearwater will be a better overall rod. I’ve had mine for 10+ years and it just works great.
I’d get the echo
I loved my encounter rod but got a Clearwater on sale (close to the encounter price) and it is a really high quality rod and a ton of fun to cast. So I guess option D. Or sounds like you can’t go wrong with the echo.
TFO NXT is one of the best starter kits out there on a budget. I started on the Orvis that you’re considering: I replaced it within two uses. The reel is the real problem with it. Made of cheap plastic and not very reliable.
However, TFO NXT is the exact starter package I got my wife after fishing some of their higher end rods and I honestly believe it’s one of the best at that price point. I’ve caught fish on it on the Green River in Wyoming, and it can handle just about anything you need a 5 wt to handle. They sell around $180 for rod, reel and fly line. If you’re new to the sport and want to get a rod, go with the TFO NXT.