The stiff backbone made it a master of throwing big dry flies and weighted streamers, but the taper design also provides enough tip action to keep light dries and tiny nymphs moving softly and delicately. The Helios 2 was impressive and performed when and where it was needed: from long bombs deep for bass, to delicate shorts for feeding carp. The consensus was, “Wow, I’ve never cast a rod quite like this.”. You know, the sort with holes that designers like to call “distressed.” A serious angler will put enough use into this fine fly rod to wear down the tube to a satisfyingly scratched gray, just as physical labor will put holes in the knees of your jeans. But back to the rod, and my fishing partner, a man who sold his soul to Sage and Winston long ago. It comes in very close to our mid-price winner, the Hardy Shadow. Laying out long casts, even with heavy flies to get deep in the cloudy and cool water, the Helios 2 was impressive. So when given the opportunity to test and review the new Orvis Helios 2 rod, this is immediately what came to mind. Versatility Orvis did a great job with the Recon, giving us a great performing rod at little more than half the price of their premium Helios 3 rods. We can, without a doubt, say that these saltwater fly rods are the best saltwater rods that Orvis has ever made. Hatch 7 Plus Fly Reel 3. A six-weight allows a diverse angler to power casts out deep and finesse accuracy up close. Fishing everything from smaller Blue Winged olives to throwing double/triple down nymph rigs. We found it perfectly suited to pushing line through the stiff winds that scour the basalt canyons of the Yakima River. And my choice was no question: a six-weight. It is my go to rod. Join the single best resource for news, features, flies, tips , deals and resources around the world of fly fishing. #4. Come spring, I start itching for warmwater – for carp and bass and the odd crappie or two. And for good reason: The technique flat-out catches fish. Just about every major fly rod manufacturer was brandishing their newest, tech-packed stick. I have spent the last two weeks fly fishing for bonefish in the Bahamas. Good news / bad news here. The Access generates enough line speed to power big dries, weighted streamers and multi-fly nymphing rigs with little effort, but does sacrifice a touch of accuracy in exchange. I’ve owned a few Orvis rods. . Orvis Recon 9’#8 4pc $450. We get great pleasure in hearing from satisfied anglers who tell us their latest and greatest fish stories and how the Helios 2 helped make it happen. With a quick response time, it still had enough load throughout to power large and heavy streamers, as well as the delicacy required for up-close carp casts, where every motion and minute matter. Orvis’ original Helios rod series the standard for lightweight performance when it was introduced 2010 and version 2.0 moves that mark even further forward. Orvis Helios 2 | 5 weight Fly Rod Review, it should be noted that we were using the Orvis Helios 2 Tip-Flex model. 7. My only critique of the Helios 2 is of the tube (purely aesthetical), which seems silly, you might think. Video: How To Fish Woolly Buggers in Rivers, Announcing MIDCURRENT's "Inside the Box" Gear Unboxing Videos, Throwback Thursday: Minipi River Brook Trout, Michelle Fleming Breaks 3 Fly Fishing Records. This review provided by: TroutUnderground.com View Orvis Rods and More Products on Amazon!. It’s Beautiful! I’ve fished it with dries, streamers and nymph rigs, and it’s easily one of the best pure-casting (and fish fighting) all-around, do anything rods I’ve ever handled. All Helios 2 Fly Rods are made by hand in Orvis’ rod shop, in Vermont. . The Helios 2 has midnight blue blanks with accentuating wraps. I see them as I walk to work through Boulder’s University Hill, peeps of yellow and small purple crocus, bulbs of memory, year after year. They’ve done so in a big way with the new Orvis Helios 3 fly rod. Series Overview: The Orvis Helios 3F Series (along with the Helios 3D Series) replaces the much-loved Orvis Helios 2 Rod Series as Orvis' flagship fly rod. The claim to transmit “energy directly from your brain to the fly and casts with the precision of a laser pointer” is not a far cry from the truth, marketing jargon as it may be. And on a day when my fishing partner and I both had nasty headcolds but the sun was shining and snow was melting in clods off the roof, puddling loudly in the stainless steel dog food dish out the back door, we couldn’t stay in. Orvis Helios 3F 9 foot #8 $898.00. The buzz around IFTD this year was heavy on the rod-talk. The Helios 3D and Helios 3F are currently available for pre-order and will be shipped in September 2017. I picked the 7wt H3F here on purpose. Orvis RECON 8’6” #4 $429.00 George’s Comments: The Recon has been one of our favorite rods, and this 4-weight version is terrific. That gives the Helios family of rods back to back wins, as this rod’s lighter weight cousin, the 5-wt Helios 3F — dominated the trout rod category. In the year since its unveiling, the Helios 2 fly rod has made a pretty big splash in fly fishing, garnering rave reviews from around the world. The Helios 2 puts tons of performance in the hands of anglers. It laid out line smoothly and accurately, besting all but the Sage in both distance and accuracy for all our intermediate to expert casters. l. Orivs Helios 2 Switch 11’ 5-weight $885.00 – Now Discontinued! T … Little brother to the champion Helios 2, the Access was Orvis’ attempt to blend light weight and performance into a value priced package. The reel seat boasts a California buckeye burl insert – the swirl of colors and patterns looks a little like an exquisite piece of Italian Marble – supported by a black nickel skeleton. The new Helios 2 Switch Rods will handle everything from steelhead and musky to striped bass and king salmon. James’ Notes: Looking back at the 2016 8-weight shootout, the Orvis Recon tied for 4 th place. Several of the staff had the opportunity to fish with it from the boat and wading. Laying out long casts, even with heavy flies to get deep in the cloudy and cool water, the Helios 2 was impressive. Orvis has packed a bunch of technological advancements into these rods and they're lighter, more accurate, and more dynamic than ever before. General fit, finish and feel They are the most accurate fly rods ever built, but offer remarkable strength and the ability to place a fly where you want it at distance. And when the daffodils have started blooming in the plains off the Front Range, there is still a thick covering of snow in my canyon, just below 8,000 ft. in elevation. I always have, but I admit that when I picked up the new Helios 2, my expectations were limited. This is the limited edition Orvis Helios 3D 8wt with a custom hand-burned Bonefish grip by artist Tim Johnson. Like the Zenith, Wraith, Zephrus and all Hardy rods from the last decade or so, the blanks for the new Zephrus Ultralite family are rolled in Korea. It’s Made in the U.S.A! An achievement, either way, and one of which I don’t appreciate being deprived. These rods come in a Nylon-covered rod tube with the Orvis 25-Year Guarantee. It’s the ultimate all-around rod, I believe one could argue—that perfect balance of dynamism, efficacy, and command. Call it cabin fever or shack nasties, or poor judgment from sinus pressure. The Orvis Helios 3D 8-Weight 9′ Fly Rod (aka 908-4) configuration earned top honors this season, claiming the Best in Class status in specialty rods. Helios 2 was designed by anglers and built by anglers for fishing addicts. In a 9’ 6″ six-weight, it’s a perfect all-around rod I would confidently take with me for bass ponds or on carp flats, any day. With a quick response time, it still had enough load throughout to power large and heavy streamers, as well as the delicacy required for up-close carp casts, where every motion and … This rod also comes in a Mid-Flex version, and we can assume that the results would be far different. There are more euro-nymphing rods on the market today than ever before. Which Helios 3 fly rod is right for the saltwater angler? Helios 3D 8-Weight, 9-Foot Fly Rods are designed for exceptional accuracy but with enhanced power. Line Size: 2 Weight, Length: 6 Feet, Weight: 7/8 Ounces, Handle: Small Cork, Sections: 4, Reel Seat: Sliding Rings w/ Cork Insert, Action: Mid Flex 7.5, Tube Length: 21 Inches, Orvis Helios Ion 260-4(6' 2wt) Fly Rod 602-4pc Mid Flex 7.5 The Helios was built for effortless casts and the ultimate in line control. Because I’m devilishly handsome, Orvis shipped me a 4-pc, 8.5′ 5wt “mid-flex” prototype of their yet-to-be-released ”Helios” fly rod — a rod said to be even lighter than their Zero Gravity series. The Helios 2 puts tons of performance in the hands of anglers. The bad news is that it … Orvis Helios 2 Fly Rod – 4 piece. Others, like the Orvis Helios and Scott Sector are great in close but not nearly as good at the longer distances. “Too pretty to fish with,” said one tester. I think for what you are wanting to achieve, the Bonefish line would do the job. The Access rods borrow design elements from Orvis’ premium series, the Helios 2, while keeping the price reasonable for cost-conscious anglers. Some better than others, but it’s been a while since I had one I really loved. We found it perfectly suited to pushing line through the stiff winds that scour the basalt canyons of the Yakima River. The Helios 2 is the lightest fast action rod we’ve found, but it gives up nothing in performance, coming in first or second in our tests on distance, accuracy and versatility. Many devoted Orvis fans couldn’t understand why the company would possibly want to redesign or modify one of its most popular and successful rods, the Helios. Put the work in. Casting Distance and Accuracy No, my trout are small. It comes in just a quarter ounce lighter than the Sage One, but that’s nearly a 10-percent weight savings. H3 Fly Rod Review: A Day with the Orvis Helios 3 I stopped by the shop with my lifelong friend to grab a few extra flies and gear that had been working great for me before we hit the water. We were all impressed with how Orvis has improved the way this rod performs compared to the Helios 2. One for the hardcore fans. For those fly fishers who chase big game, we've made five new. While the Access certainly looks great, the Access was simply too fast, and probably more of a 6-7 weight than a 5. I also have the Helios 5wt 3D and the 8wt 3D and I find that I use the 6wt more than the other 2. I think that’s just changed. He is based in the Pacific Northwest. SA Bonefish WF8F The newest graphite rod from The Orvis Company, who says it’s lighter and stronger than the first release, and in this case what’s purported in the glossy pages is true. I have – and regularly fish – a 9′ 6wt and 9′ 8wt H3D. In my rod quiver for the trip were two Helios 3 eight weights, the F and the D. It was the perfect opportunity to test each of these rods for their strengths and their weaknesses. The Good news is the Orvis H2 switch 11’ 5-weight is easily my favorite trout switch rod for nymph fishing (out of the boat or on foot). It is a beautifully made rod, but that just makes fishing with it more fun. One of the drawbacks to the Asquith is the price of $1200, which is $200-$300 more than the other top rods. At the head of the pack was the Orvis Helios 3. The trout fishing I love won’t open for a few weeks yet, and I don’t go to tailwaters or large rivers that keep moving through the year, with unrelenting currents of people and bugs. Orvis Helios 3F 9’ 8-weight Fly Rod and Orvis Helios 3D 9’ 8-weight Fly Rod 2. Review of Orvis Helios 3 Fly rod “It’s Worthy” Since October we have had our hands on the new Orvis Helios 3D 9ft 5wt rod. Line Recommendation: Scientific Anglers GPX . 1. The lightest rod in the test (and possibly the lightest on the market), Great fit and feel in the hand, suitable for all-day casting with little arm fatigue, Not quite as powerful (i.e casting distance) as some, Limited availability of different line weight models during initial release. Between the 3D and the 3F, there is a lot to be excited about with these USA made fly rods. The ultimate and incredibly accurate bonefish fly rod, the Helios 3D 908-4, customized by a remarkable artist into a beautiful piece of functional angling art—this custom rod from our Artist Collab line delivers. Best Deal Buy Local. Orvis’ previous rod series, the Helios 2, also came in two different designations – tip-flex and mid-flex. Unfortunately, it also follows the general rule of lighter weights meaning heavier prices – it’s the most expensive rod we tested. The rich blue rod features a reverse half-wells cork grip that snugs into the hand comfortably regardless of hand size (at least for our team, which ranged from women’s small glove size to men’s XL). In terms of performance, the Recon was actually better at mid to long range. It has been selling strong and performing well ever since. It is a must cast for the angler looking for a new rod, no matter the application. I love this set up. Casting Distance and Accuracy. *Your purchase helps to support the work of Gear Institute. {"pos":"top","cat":"gear","type":"article_children_page","format":"default"}. It comes in just a quarter ounce lighter than the Sage One, but that’s nearly a 10-percent weight savings. Mcraft173 nailed it with his assessment of the 6wt Helios 3D. However, its pre-scuffed blue logo harkens just a bit too much of “worn” jeans. Orvis follows suit with the new Helios 3F. Here's what Orvis has to say about the new Recon rods: The Recon 2 5wt features silver stripping and snake guides, blanks with a matte olive finish and charcoal and spring green accents, a quick rod identifier on the blank, and a Pewter type III anodized aluminum reel seat with a burled wood insert. The Orvis H-3 is clearly one of the best fly rods to ever leave the Orvis shop, but it's not all about the long cast. In this 8-Weight Challenge, the Asquith and the new NRX+ are the only two rods that perform extremely well at all distances. We lean towards the fastest action rods here on the Missouri River, so we are testing what we would use. And still under snow; just like my cabin. The Helios 2 fly rod is smooth as butter, precise & accurate, and extremely powerful! Accuracy, at both close and far ranges, was spot on. {"cat":"gear","type":"article_children_page","format":"default"}. My new Helios 2- 9′ 4 weight mid flex is, in my opinion, the best fly rod Orvis has produced recent memory. Weight: 2.8oz. As you would expect, there were some beautiful days and some real howlers. Orvis Helios 3D 8wt 9ft. Copyright © 2003 – 2021 MidCurrent LLC, All Rights Reserved. The Helios 3 sports either an F or D, which stands for Feel and Distance, respectively. In other words, yes, Helios 2 is all it’s cracked up to be. He took a round of casts and confidently proclaimed (an apologetic grin on his face), “I have nothing bad to say about this rod.”. We headed to lower ground, for old gravel pits and a farm pond, where we found some early season carp and bass. Once again a Helios was the lightest rod in swing weight, but now there are three other rods that match it – the Asquith, Meridian, and Exocett. Like the original Recon rods, the Recon 2 5wt is made in the U… Steve, I have 6wt Helios 3D with the Rio Bonefish. The Helios 2 proved incredibly adept at providing just what was needed, regardless of fishing style or condition. The Helios 2 is the second generation (which means better genes, or at least how my mind works as a former farm girl) of the acclaimed original. Proclaimed as the most accurate rod to date, we had to test the new Orvis Helios 3 in one of the most accuracy dependent fisheries on the planet. Fortunately, she changed her mind after the first cast. Dan Nelson is GearInstitute.com's Managing Editor & fly fishing editor. Home » Gear Reviews » Fishing » Fly Rods » Trout Fly Rods » Orvis Helios 2. 82 points. Living in two worlds makes you anxious, like multiple personalities will put you on meds (or wine, I suppose, lots of wine). We've been doing it since 2003! Hardy’s Zenith rods, discontinued when the Wraith and Zephrus lines were introduced a few years ago, are among some of the most-loved sticks in recent memory. Last two weeks fly fishing for Bonefish in the hands of anglers I have – regularly... Scott Sector are great in close but not nearly as good at the head of Yakima... View Orvis rods and more Products on Amazon! his assessment of the Helios 2 puts tons of,... Allows a diverse angler to power casts out deep and finesse accuracy up.... A custom hand-burned Bonefish grip by artist Tim Johnson worn ” jeans and the new Helios 2 model! 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