The Orvis Flex-Index

For an image showing the Flex Styles scroll down.

Full Flex
Flex Index 2.5 - 5.5

Well suited for close range, delicate casting

Protects light tippets best due to full flex shock absorption

Responds well to a gently casting stroke

Offers superior "feel" when fighting a fish

A favorite traditional action for Orvis anglers for many years

Mid Flex
Flex Index 6 - 9

Excellent performance over a wide range of conditions and casting styles

The largest percentage of fly rods overall are mid-flex

Great combination of butt strength for fighting fish, and medium flex for casting ease

A great choice for the angler who needs one rod for a variety of conditions.

Tip Flex
Flex Index 9.5 - 12.5

Gives the tightest casting loops for greatest range and distance

Allows quick, short casting strokes with minimal rod angle change

Less movement improves tracking and resists "wind loading"

Light tip gives "light in the hand" feel

Superior big-fish "backbone" (in upper line weights) due to strong butt section

flex.gif (87093 bytes)

Full-Flex

Mid-Flex

Tip-Flex

Rod flex boils down to line speed and timing. The faster the flex the higher the line speed. The faster the flex the more critical the timing requirements. These two factors are constant and cannot be ignored. If you haven't cast much and just aren't sure what flex (action) is right for you it is hard to go wrong with a Mid-Flex rod action. The Mid-Flex range (6.0 to 9.0 on the Flex-Index scale) is fairly forgiving from a timing aspect and able to provide enough line speed for all but the most demanding situations.

As your ability increases and your preference for one type of fly fishing over another is defined you can move to a flex range that fits your needs. I prefer to fish with a Full-Flex rod. I like the relaxed casting speed, and the superior "feel" noted above. However, I own rods in each flex category and wouldn't think about fishing one of my Full-Flex rods in open, windy waters for stripers. The line speed I need for casting in the wind and the butt strength I need setting hooks on those hard jaws just isn't there in a Full-Flex rod. You can double haul to add line speed and you can "really reef" on the old rod to set the hook, but the best solution is to get a "faster" stiffer rod.