Most people prefer to purchase even or odd sets of fly rod weights for their fishing trips. This is because purchasing a 5wt rod along with the 4wt rod doesn’t bring much variation in the power and the smoothness of the setup.
Similarly, there is no point in purchasing a rod 1wt above or below your current setup. So, if you already own a 4wt rod and need a more durable unit to capture larger fish, then you should skip the 5wt and try to purchase a 6wt unit.
Next, you need to focus on what brand you’ll be aiming for. Going with the cheapest option is never a good idea when you’re short on cash. So, be sure to go through your requirements and pick up a compatible unit accordingly.
A lot of anglers have recently asked about the Echo Carbon XL VS Orvis Clearwater fly rods. If you’re also interested in these units, then let’s cover both of them briefly to help you with a complete picture.
Echo Carbon XL vs Orvis Clearwater Fly Rods Comparison
| Specifics | Carbon XL | Orvis Clearwater |
| Color | Bronze | Black Chrome |
| Action | Med Fast | Medium |
| Composite Tips | Yes | Yes |
| Rod Tube | Fabric Covered Sock | Gray |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 25-Year |
When you’re looking at some entry-level units, both of these fly rods will present themselves as a decent option.
If you’re not that worried about the intricate details and need optimal performance, going with either one of these systems will serve you well in the long run.
However, if you are still conflicted about what unit to put your money into, going with the cheaper option is usually a better idea. All you’re aiming for is a more robust system while sticking to a cheaper price point.
For this reason, more owners like to rely on Carbon XL for their systems.
This rod is more affordable and brings a lighter presentation along with faster performance. So, be sure to keep that in mind as you try to adjust the performance of the Carbon XL system.
Most of the time, you won’t even feel the need to switch to a different brand for years.
Similarly, if you’re not dealing with any budget issues and need a more robust setup, then going with Orvis is a better idea. You will be able to save a fair bit of cash while sticking with this brand.
So, be sure to keep that in mind as you try to adjust to the fishing setup.
The quality here is undoubtedly superior, but the heavyweight will have a negative impact on the action of the unit. You will get a medium action that is much easier to control.
However, the heavier weight also complements the fishing system with more durability.
Here are some more details on both of these units to help you further solidify the purchase decision.
Echo Carbon XL Fly Rods
The Echo Carbon XL is a phenomenal rod that is one of the lightest setups you’ll ever purchase. Because of its lighter weight, many people believe that it is fragile and can’t withstand much power.
However, many Echo Carbon XL users have mentioned that they are surprised with the enhanced power and smoothness this unit brings to their fly fishing setup.
So, if you’re concerned about the lighter weight of this unit, there is no need to worry about the rod breaking down under pressure.
This is a beginner-friendly rod that makes casting effortless, even at longer distances. If you’re just getting into fly fishing, then you can learn a lot by starting with the Echo Carbon XL while also maintaining a good catch rate.
The best thing about this unit is the affordable price tag, and depending on where you live, you can get a complete combo within the 200-dollar range.
So, if you’re tight on budget and don’t want to spend any extra money on your fishing setup, an Echo Carbon XL can be a nice addition.
All in all, this unit has differentiated itself with enhanced handling and lighter weight. It is true that most anglers prefer to go with the Orvis fly rods because of their wide variety of fishing equipment.
But that doesn’t mean that the Echo Carbon XL is a sub-par rod that you can’t use on your fishing trip.
Anglers across the nation had nothing but good words to say about this brand as it continues to enable beginners with top-tier fly rods within an affordable price range.
Hopefully, this will help you decide which brand to go for while developing your setup.
However, if you’re still confused about which unit to purchase, then go with the option that is recommended by the dealer. All you have to do here is to underscore your requirements, and the dealer will take it from there.
From there, you can go with the unit recommended by the dealer.
Furthermore, he will list more options for you that will fall within the same price range. If you’re short on budget or trying to save on cash, then he will further help you with some options that will serve you well over the long run.
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rods
As far as the popularity is concerned, you will often notice experts using Orvis equipment. This brand has been offering top-tier equipment to anglers for many decades.
Even though most brands bring an inflated price tag on their premium equipment, Orvis believes in making affordable price tags while still offering premium quality.
Depending upon the weight of the rod, you might have to pay a bit extra for Orvis Clearwater when you compare it with the Echo Carbon XL. However, the difference in price won’t be substantial enough to impact your purchase decision.
The reason why most people prefer these rods is that Orvis Clearwater is readily available across all the major equipment stores. You won’t have to spend much time trying to find the perfect Orvis rod for your setup.
On the other hand, not many people look towards Echo fly rods while developing their fishing setup.
This does not imply that the Echo rods are of poor quality, but rather the availability aspect of Echo rods can’t be compared to the Orvis Clearwater.
So, depending on where you live, you will likely get a better deal on the Orvis fly rods.
In the end, it all comes down to availability and a better value proposition. The difference between these two rods is not substantial enough to heavily impact your purchase decision.
Both bring incredible efficiency and smoothness to anglers who are just getting into fly fishing. So, you should focus more on the price tag and choose the fly rod that is more affordable.
Orvis and Echo both ensure complete customer satisfaction through exceptional design and easy-to-handle fly rods. So, you can’t go wrong with either one of these fly rods as long as your fishing technique is good.
Wrapping Up
The Orvis Clearwater setup, as well as the Echo Carbon XL unit, will serve you well when you’re trying to develop an entry-level system.
While the quality of both of these units is exceptional, going with Orvis over the Echo system is mostly the better choice.
It all comes down to how you’ll be managing the final presentation of the unit. If you’re short on money or trying to save a bit of cash, we suggest that you try out the Echo unit.
On the other hand, you can try sticking with the Orvis system when you’re not too worried about the cost here.
With that said, it is always a good idea to test out the unit for yourself. There is no point in going with a system that won’t really match your requirements. So, be sure to keep that in mind and ask the dealer to let you try the unit.
Lastly, you can also reach out to local experts with similar setups. From there, you can get some reviews on how these rods have been serving other customers in your locality.
Hopefully, that will clear up the picture further, and you won’t have to bother with the same unit.