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Post by labrador on May 20, 2007 11:24:26 GMT -5
I headed out on thrusday morning. Got a little lost, since I left the directions on the counter. I finally got to my destination, and began a long hike. Since this was my first time into the park. I couldn't help but notice how special this place really is. I have backpacked and fished in a lot of cool places, but this place takes the cake. I can't wait to see what else the park has to offer. I didn't see many people on the hike in. I did see a girl by herself, and I thought that she was brave (or I am a wimp). Anyway after a long walk, I came to my designated camping area. I set up camp, and hung the food, and quickly got the rod and reel ready....Wait....something was wrong with my brand new Superfine rod. I couldn't move the little ring that secures the reel onto the rod. I was super mad. I tried to work on it with a leatherman, and was able to barely get the reel on there, but it would fall off every few casts. I eventually put the reel in my pocket and fished with the line running from there (major pain in the rear). The fishing seemed very easy the first afternoon until dark, with plenty of rainbows and brookies coming to hand. It was great besides the rod. I ate dinner, and went to sleep when the rain started falling. I woke up to see that a mouse had eated into my gink bottle (even though it was hung on the bear cable). I later talked to some hikers who said that the mice had chewed into their bear bags and had eaten all of thier food. They were heading home because of it. I got lucky I guess, but I am thinking of getting a ursack before the next trip. I fished until lunch and it was slow. It picked up a little when the sun "melted" off some of the clouds (weird). I ate lunch and cursed my rod, but still was content. I fished the afternoon, and hooked a decent sized fish that was pulling the reel out of my pocket. I grabbed the line and it broke off. I was super annoyed. Stopped fishing, went back to camp, and called it a day around the campfire. I woke the next morning and fished till lunch with the fishing kinda of slow again (it definitely fishes better in the evening). After lunch, I broke camp and decided to head for home. I went to Orvis today, and they gave me a new rod. I was majorly disaapointed with the whole situation, and they said the rod was defective from the factory, and this shouldn't happen again. Well see. I will probably go back to this same area in june as there is so much water I didn't even put a line in. It is a great place. Here's a short video of the events. s81.photobucket.com/albums/j234/wlodarb/?action=view¤t=smoky1_0002.flv
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Post by clincher on May 20, 2007 13:13:36 GMT -5
Son! You don't know what that video is worth to an East Tennessee Vol in Asia.
Sorry to hear about the rod, but you were 2/3rds to a slam anyway. Glad you were out there to 'Get Some'. I really like Orvis' approach to the sport and relations with clientel, and here comes the 'but'. BUT..you are the second person on this forum to attest to defective rods- and high end rods too. I have the Frequent Flyer travel rod in a 7/8 and a 3 wt Clearwater that have done well and look forward to something in the Winston or Zero G lines soon. It's disturbing though, when rods in the $500-$750 range are so flawed. One of our forum bretheren had a Zero G or a T3, (can't recall which), snap in two under normal conditions on trip #1. Last fall I think. These materiels are high tech, but if not processed to the specifications, can be useless. You would think the final inspection includes seating a reel for a balance and functions check. Hope the new rod works out for you. Again, thanks for the video.
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Post by Hoss on May 20, 2007 14:56:54 GMT -5
Awesome video labrador
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Post by labrador on May 20, 2007 16:14:05 GMT -5
I must admit that I had used the rod on two previous trips with no problems. The guy at orvis asked if i had gotten it wet, and I said yes, but since when is that a problem? ?. He was a jerk, but the lady working there was really nice and understanding.
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Post by Marmot on May 20, 2007 16:14:18 GMT -5
Another great report man.. Really wish I had been able hit this area with ya this weekend.. Looks like a great place.. Crazy about the mice.. Ya would think things would be safe in a bear bag.. I feel your pain on the superfine.. I am the one clincher was talking about.. I got a new Zero G and took it out in the yard to test it out.. After about 15 mins of casting it broke at the first ferrule.. Sent it to Orvis via there instructions.. Despite the guy on the phones promise that they would send out a new one soon as they received mine, it was 2 months later when I finally got my repaired rod.. Good ole Orvis.. (insert rant) I will spare everyone that and just say that this incident changed the way I think about Orvis.. Marmot
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Post by labrador on May 20, 2007 16:37:57 GMT -5
He said the wood had swelled and it was due to water. Then said you're going to have to mail it in, but he seemed really mad about the whole thing. Then this woman came up and said don't worry, we'll give you a new one, and about 5 minutes later I was out the door. Still doesn't make up for cutting a trip short becuase of a stupid rod malfunction. Especially at those prices. It was a major splurge for me, and now I am worried it was a big mistake. I have to wait and see how rod #2 holds up and maybe it really will be a lifetime of enjoyment, but who knows.
Marmot, I just got your PM, but it would have been cool to have some company, just cause talking to trees and stuff gets old after a while. Maybe next time. The place is incredible, and I never even got onto the feeders like I had planned. Just fished the main attraction for the whole time. I will be going back soon.
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Post by labrador on May 20, 2007 19:09:08 GMT -5
oh, and marmot they were just regular nylon stuff sacks, but suspeneded on the cables. They showed me the (now duct taped) spot where the mouse/mice made their assault. I guess they climb the wire attached to the tree where the clip is, and drop down. Seems like the couldn't or shouldn't be able to get past the horizontal line cause of those "trash can lid things" on the wire, but I guess where theres a will there's a way. They told me the only one that didn't get plundered was the Ursack.
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Post by clincher on May 20, 2007 23:27:54 GMT -5
Orvis went for the classic look with that Superfine reel seat and they got it, but apparently they've not figured out the waterproofing piece...intolerable oversight for an industry leader. The retail and hotel service workers in the Smokies have always been a sticking point for me. Now I'm not looking for someone to lick my boots, just a little courtesy and acknowledgement that local dollars count for something. Granted, most are just working folks like most of the rest of us, but I've seen a change in attitude and service as soon as retail staffers hear my local dialect. We are less inclined to splurge at their retail prices knowing that we can match the 'outlet' prices back in K-town. We also sleep in our beds at night, so we are not the cash cow like the transients they market to. Those things don't affect the retail staff paychecks or benefits so you'd think they would seek to have good relations with the shoppers. Not so. Orvis on the other had, doesn't have the luxury of falling into that syndrome. We pay premium prices to fish their products. If they put someone behind the counter who can't tolerate a little fisherman frustration over a defective product, then I'll go to Cal's or BPS for my gear. It's unfortunate really. Other end of the scale; Orvis opened a retailer in Richmond, Va. last year. It was twice the size of the shop in the Forge. I walked in to see the stainless Battenkill mid-arbor for $54 as a grand opening special. I talked to the manager (who was working) the floor and he said, "I'm out, but I'll find one and give you a call". Yeah, right. He was in Richmond now---The man calls me 3 days later and had a reel for me. He held it another week until I could drive through enroute to K-town. $54 bucks, a week after the sale was done. The box had a Mossy Creek Outfitters sticker on it. He had arranged a merchandise swap from the Mossy shop over 100 miles away. The difference: He was there to support fly fishing and he enjoyed his work and he knew that the reel would bring MSRP for the rest of his days there. Still, this guy is paying freight to get a reel for me and sell it to me at a loss! I bought the wife a sweater from the guy and returned to purchase brown and bow stuffed fish pillows for Varmit's baby boy.
Hey Varmit (a uncommonly conscientious retail staffer in the Smokes)- How 'bout posting a picture or two of the boy w/the fish pillows???
A few dynamics at work in Richmond that aren't really the case in the Smokes: 1. Washington DC fly fishermen- There are a few fly shops in/around the capital, but water is a ways down the road. They have to work hard for 3 hours on Friday to clear DC traffic and reach trout water in the Shenandoah. Richmond is on the way to waters south and West of DC. Average pay in the beltway is at a shocking level to us taxpayers, so DC fly fishers don't haggle over price. 2. At first look, one assumes "It's Virginia" and there is no shortage of trout streams. Gotta fish as well as the Smokes, right?" Not really......Acid rain and industrial pollution pressure the Va. highland fisheries, or at least that is the propoganda to support licensing fees and a growing trend of guide services restricting access to quality streams. I don't buy the acid argument completely, because private waters seem to hold and rear plenty of trophy fish. The state and city of Waynesboro however, have recovered a stream from a long run of hot water infusion from a Dupont plant some years ago. Nonetheless, fly fishing is tough to access and costs more than it does in East Tn.
Here is my sincere hope: The knucklehead working the Orvis counter is the spoiled son of the nice lady who replaced the rod and is soon to be kicked out of the house. Every one of us knows how to pull fish outta water with a hook, a little monofilament and a dogwood limb. East Tn fisherman shouldn't hafta put up w/that garbage. Now let's all go to Cal's, The Creel and BPS..........
Gotta go to work.
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Post by labrador on May 21, 2007 11:18:38 GMT -5
I wrote a long sad letter to Orvis last night to tell them of the major dissapointment. I will let you know if and how they respond.
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Post by Petey on May 21, 2007 12:05:24 GMT -5
Man that is simply next level on the video. My drifter is begging to get wet but video like that makes me long for skinny water in high places. Like the selection of music also. I won't bash Orvis to hard. This is what happens when you mass produce and try to market yourself to every Tom, Richard and Harry. I will say this though. If you are going to pay full price for their gear, and I have in the past, I would buy Bauer, Lamson, Ross, Sage, Winston and Thomas and Thomas before I buy Orvis. That is just my 2 cents. Orvis's reels aren't to bad, but I think their Mach series is over priced. Now the LA Battenkill is a good buy, or has been so far. And their Mid Arbor Battenkill isn't bad stuff. But if I have 200+ dollars next time to put down on a reel I will buy a Bauer or Lamson. JMHO. Lab, I have a rod I broke (my own doing) that I need to send back. I will let you know how it goes. Sage does an excellent job in returns. Scott lacks completely. I will never buy from them again. I am fixing to find out with Orvis. Petey
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Post by labrador on May 21, 2007 15:44:00 GMT -5
It's a long story how I got this rod in the first place, but I didn't exactly pay full price. I didn't do anything illegal either , just was in the right place at the right time kinda...I guess. Still doesn't make the pain any eaiser. Just as a heads up me and Bonedog from Owl's Blu Ridge board are heading that way June 14,15,16 and coming out on Sunday the 17th. I made a reservation for 4, but so far there is just two of us. Anybody who wants to come is welcome. I guess first come first serve. If we had more, we'd have to modify the reservation.
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Post by Rockyraccoon on May 22, 2007 14:35:52 GMT -5
Wow!
What an awesome trip report and video. I watched it 5 times and just love the way that you put it together. Awesome.
Sorry to hear about your rod man, that does suck.
I'll have to chime in on a positive note for Orvis though.
I recently returned two rods. One was an old Trident 5 wt that I loved. A beautiful rod that casts like a dream and could handle anything from wind to streamers. IT was not broken, however the butt cap was loose and would not hold a reel.
The other rod was a 6wt T3 that got busted in the tip after my last float with Butch Trucks (by the way TW, did the pics turn out?).
I probably should have specified better when I sent them back but I did not want them to replace the Trident, I could care less if the repaired or replaced the T3.
Well, exactly a week after shipping them, a brand new TLS powermatrix showed up in the mail. Dadgumit, I thought......because I knew that's the rod they would replace a Trident with.
Well, I called them up and explained the situation. Unfortunately, my old rod had already been canned because of excessive wear on the handle, ferrules, and finish (being a guide is tough on your gear). So, the rod builders in the shop began looking through the blanks and found the exact Trident blank and build me a brand new one free of charge. I'll just ship the Powermatrix back on their nickel once the T3 is returned and the new Trident is in my boat.
All of this process took less than 5 minutes on the phone and one call back from their CSR after confirming the rod builders plan.
I can't complain at all about that service.
I've also had other rods, waders, and other misc gear returned over the years and I've always been pleased with their service.
BTW, I'm not orvised endorsed. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Select last night. ;D
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Post by labrador on May 22, 2007 20:18:13 GMT -5
Rocky, they gave me a new rod, but it just seems wierd that I had to get one so soon. I also didn't really like the "interogation" the guy gave me about it. anyway off the subject of orvis...Here's the mice damage I took. Thank goodness they only went for this...
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Post by Petey on May 22, 2007 20:45:12 GMT -5
Now that is funny... well not really because you got moused. But at least they didn't chew threw your vest, or fly box or on the cork handle of the rod you had to take back. I have had critters invade my camp before, but I can't recall having a problem with mice. Maybe it was a young one and it was cutting teeth. I do have this weird fear that I will be lying sound asleep and some young beaver whom is sharpening his teeth and chewing a tree just for the heck of it will drop one right on my tent. Not likely to happen I know. But stranger things have happened...... maybe. Petey
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Post by labrador on May 22, 2007 22:04:16 GMT -5
my fear is that somebody comes in my tent during the day and covers itwith peanut butter and honey.
I'd probably just leave it and head for home.
Petey, tell your critter story.
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