Orvis Zero Gravity 8ft 6”, two piece fly rod

I recently acquired an Orvis Zero Gravity 8ft 6”, #5 weight at an antique fishing tackle auction. I have to confess, I really do think I have unearthed a true classic.  It was bought on a whim. I guess motivation might have had its roots in my sub conscious.  Shortly after I first established Alba Game Fishing up in 2004 the Zero G was the first premium rod I bought for use by our clients. 

So where did I find this sought after beauty? My main focus was bidding on bamboo rods, and lot no 247 came up. There it was a Zero Gravity and a two piece at that. I had previously owned the 8ft 6 #5 – 4 piece version, which I sold 10 years ago. Probably because I convinced myself that my clients would prefer the new Helios range of fly rods.

Zero Gravity arrives…in mint condition

The auction listing described it as great condition. In reality it was absolutely mint. I studied it hard and couldn’t find a single mark on it, anywhere. It looked un-fished. The handle was the smoothest, highest quality cork Ive seen on a rod for a while. In fact, I took an anti-bacterial wipe over it and it didn’t leave a mark. I also forgot how good the reel seat was on these Zero-G rods, an uplocking screw seat, with a stylish heritage Orvis Logo.  Furthermore, a beautiful Maple insert and spliced inlays.

Orvis added a silicone carbide stripping guide and the snakes eyes are hard chrome. Lastly the finish on the blank was exquisite. A deeply appealing maroon colour, and that’s hard to admit being a Hibs supporter.  (Two football teams in Edinburgh, big rivals. Hibs play in green and Hearts play in Maroon)

What makes the Zero Gravity so good?

But the real surprise came when I cast this rod for the first time.

Sometimes you just know when something is going to be good. The feel of the taper and mechanics of a rod in your hand either feels right…or not. Ive said this before, but the heart and soul of a fly rod is its taper. Equally I’ve always believed that a 2 piece rod performs much better than a 4 piece. Because its lighter, and there are two less ferrules to interrupt the action of the blank.

I was in a cottage on the River Deveron with friend and business partner Bill. The fishing was blown out and the river swollen. So to console ourselves, we were talking rods, tackle, and reels and looking through a haul from the auctioneers I had driven down to Birmingham to collect, a few days earlier. 

Alan Partridge at the Linton Travel Lodge – FFS!

Actually, that was a ball ache of a journey. A 10 hour round trip and a sore arse. I broke it up by staying in a travel lodge by the M6. At one point I was so bored, I contemplated a stroll down the M6 to a service station to buy a Scotch Egg and then retreat to my room to dismantle the trouser press. I was Alan Partridge and this was the “Linton Travel Lodge” 

I always shout for joy when crossing the border back into Scotland.Its been a habit since childhood. After that, I then headed for the Deveron after a rendezvous with Bill at Newbridge.

A cast on the Deveron (in flood) with the Orvis Zero gravity

Why don’t we take it out on the water for a cast, said Bill. So in the pissing rain/ sleet and paired with a Sage trout reel and a Barrio SLX 5 weight line, I walked all of 20 yards to the water side from the cottage to gave it a try.

Carbon fibre rods are often guilty of feeling functional and detached. This was the opposite. The feel of the rod was immense. The Mid Flex loads deep, and whether it be short casts or long casts the rod performed beautifully, delivering tight accurate loops. It really sang to me. Like all good fly rods, you forget you have a rod in your hand and you just cast. Furthermore, the less you push this or force this rod, the better it performs. It likes a smooth relaxed casting stroke. 

“I shouted Bill over and demanded he has a cast. I had the 4 piece but this is a different beast” Bill was amazed, and loved it too. 

The history of an Orvis Zero Gravity Fly rod

Now lets take a wee step back to the history of the rod. It was launched in 2005 and was the predecessor to the Helios rod. The rod came with a 25 year guarantee and was lovingly presented in a soft cloth bag. I always like the green cord against the beige bag. The Orvis logo really oozed class, and Heritage. The rod came in a hard aluminium tube, in the same appealing maroon colour and a gold logo. 

At the time the Orvis marketing machine hailed the Zero Gravity as breakthrough technology. Power and control all packaged up in a light rod that weighed in at 2.5 ounces. 

The Zero G was released when the Orvis Brand was clear and defined. Heritage fly fishing gear, for discerning anglers. This was the fag ship rod…it still is!

Conclusion the Orvis Zero Gravity 8ft 5weight rod

This is a peach of a rod. If you can find one on eBay grab it. You wont be sorry. I and is it better than a Helios? Well in truth, its just different. They too are great rods, but if you want to feel connected and you enjoy fishing trout rods like the Sage LL that really have a great feel and feel invisible in the hand. Then shoot for one of these.

Tight lines and happy fishing adventures – Written By Stewart Collingswood Orvis Endorsed Guide and Owner Alba Game Fishing