Guest post by Brett O’Connor
Photography by Greg Moss
There’s something quietly magical about arriving at the River Test at first light. On this particular morning, the sun was only just nudging the horizon as I pulled into Kimbridge. The air was properly cold, the river wrapped in mist, and everything felt still. It was the perfect, if slightly brutal conditions to put the new Orvis Recon through its paces.
The cold wasted no time making itself known. As I strung the rod and started fishing, the rings quickly began freezing the fly line inside the rod. A short pause, a quick push to clear the ice, and it was back to business. If anything, the conditions added to the excitement.
From the first proper cast, the Recon impressed. It loads smoothly and predictably, sending out tight, elegant loops with very little effort. Even with numb fingers and hands, the rod felt intuitive, responsive without being overly stiff or unforgiving. On a river like the Test, where accuracy and finesse are everything, the Recon made delicate presentations feel easy, whether flicking a dry upstream or dropping a line beneath overhanging branches.
I spent the morning fishing both dries and nymphs, and let’s be honest, at this time of year the fish are down, so a bit of weight is essential. The Recon handled both styles beautifully. It had no problem turning over a nymph setup, yet still retained the sensitivity needed for subtle dry fly work.
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Then came the real test: the take. When a fish finally rose through the mist, the connection was immediate. The Recon bent progressively into the fish, absorbing head shakes with ease. There’s a reassuring backbone here, plenty of power to bring a lively fish under control, balanced by a sensitive tip that protects light tippets. Playing the fish felt calm and confident, never rushed, never outgunned. The rod did exactly what it should: it stayed out of the way and let the moment shine.
Build quality is classic Orvis, clean, purposeful, and tough. This is a rod designed to be fished hard, not babied, and it shows. After several cold hours on the water, fingers frozen and coffee long gone, the Recon still felt like a trusted companion rather than a rod under review.
If you’re looking for a genuinely high-end fly rod without the eye-watering price tag, it’s very hard to see past the new Orvis Recon. Get out there, fish it in real conditions, and let it speak for itself.
