Superfine Glass: Two new rods are being added to the Superfine Glass series of fiberglass fly rods. The 8-foot 6-inch six weight (has a fighting butt) and 7-foot 6-inch three weight make nice additions to this already popular lineup. These smooth, soft rods utilize unsanded fiberglass blanks and feature cork reel seats along with hard chrome guides. Expect a price of $425 for either model.

1856 Bamboo: If you're looking for a very special rod to add to your collection, give this one a look. The new hollow-built 1856 bamboo rod has a three-piece design and incorporates such features as a burl nickel-silver reel seat, chrome guides, and nickel-silver ferulles. One size is offered in an 8-foot 6-inch length for a 5-weight line, and carries a price of $2,795.

Hydros SL Reels: The all-new Hydros SL (Super Large arbor) reels sport cutting-edge looks at a nice price point. Featuring a fully-machined frame and spool, each reel in the series boasts a sealed carbon drag system and a minimalist design to keep the weight down. Hydros SL reels will come in four sizes to cover 3 to 12-weight applications at a price of $198.

Conclusion: We liked what we saw from Orvis this year. The new reels look great, the bamboo rod is impressive, and the increasing number of fiberglass rods available these days is a great thing! You can expect all of these new items to hit the market around the end of the year.