i did they same thing as fw and i got the 9' mid flex 4wt hydros for trout fishing, and it is a dream

but its no different than
canon vs nikon
tamu vs ut
toyota vs everything else
and so forth its just personal opinion

go and test them out at your local shop that is best bet

I have both and while they have different feels they're both great rods, just go check em out and see which one feels better

Well, it just goes to show you that everyone is right...and you should cast the rod(s) you are looking for. I have cast the new Helios...it is a good rod. If the Orvis Access is as good as it's price point Sage, the Flight, then it's a great rod. Not to jump off topic, but the TFO BVK is one nice rod and less expensive. I do have a couple of $750 Sage Z-Axis rods...wonderful. I do need to cast a Winston Boron in decent conditions. [note to self, try the next one that hits the store]

Bottom line - both make great rods. Try them both and make your own decision (of course, that's exactly what you'll do)

Good points thanks everyone, Ill just have to try some out. Im just ready to upgrade from the $30 Cahill starting set up I got from Cabellas.

Sam:

Any of the rods mentioned above will be a noticeable improvement from your current outfit. You'll be amazed how much help a good rod can be in improving your casting.

VHS I have too agree with you on everything except for

UT vs tamu
current record Texas is winning

75-38-5

as for rods i have used sage and orvis and both are absolutely great rods. its all up too opinion

TFO are good rods too, I haven't made the jump to em yet but I've used friends rods in different models and have been pretty satisfied with all of them

Sam a lot of good advice here. Best thing to do is cast as many different rods as you can and go with the one that suits you and your style.

Asking which is better is kinda of like asking what is the better truck, Ford or Dodge.

Nobody would ask that we all know its Ford

Well, youre not really expecting anyone to say they hate either are you? The "best" and "better" do not exist because everything is standardized according to three relative criteria: quality, performance, and ego. And ego is relative to value. If you have a high ego pick something more valuable and vise versa. This, so you know you'll be happier with your investment. This info is coutesey of a friend of mine who is an accounting counseler; just after watching Top Gear and getting dominated in a 2 hour debate. I could give some advise of my own, but hell im late to the party anyway...

I have fished sage xp, z-axis, winston boron, and several TFOs. You would be pleased with a TFO professional series IMO. This while saving several hundred. They have a limetime warranty too.