The 5wt in the 3D is deadly accurate out to 60 feet. Through a reinforced blank with a greater hoop strength, the rod won’t oval when under pressure thus dampening the vibration … The distance is no joke — this rod is a cannon. The Orvis Helios 2 was the flagship graphite rod in Orvis’s lineup. Since its release, the Orvis Helios 3 has been marketed as the most accurate rod ever made. Watch. Fishing everything from smaller Blue Winged olives to throwing double/triple down nymph rigs. Personally, I love the look of Helios 3s. But how does it cast? 3F is accuracy with finesse, a dry fly angler's dream. The 9wt 3d definitely offers more of the latter — but, when trying to punch out a bay anchovy to some busting albies, that’s exactly what I want. Orvis hit a home run this year. Watch. Review : Orvis Helios 3f 10'6" 3wt T-and-Co - 12/05/2018 For some years now, several major american brands have begun to design tools for modern nymphing approaches. That has resulted in some fast rods that might lack a bit of soul, feel, and accuracy at times. It’s a fast-action fly rod that still has quite a bit of feel. In fly fishing, accuracy is everything. The 3D handled everything from Peanut Envy streamers to size 18 Blue Wing Olives nymphs and really excelled on the larger water that I fished in Wyoming. The Fly Stop Authorized Orvis Dealer. Just about every major fly rod manufacturer was brandishing their newest, tech-packed stick. Website Design & Development by unleaded.digital. The. It sounds as if the action being a medium fast would be comparable to an Orvis helios. The Orvis Helios 2 was the flagship graphite rod in Orvis’s lineup. It’s a fair question. In very simple terms, the 3D is a fast-action rod offering accurate casts with power at distance and the 3F is a moderate action rod offering accurate casts with finesse. Dec 16, 2012 #8 I wasn’t worn down from casting the big rig. Given how strong this rod is, I would say that you want to overweight this rod a bit if you want to feel the rod flex at all. There are so many factors that can throw off your cast and the Orvis Helios 3 is on a mission to silence the variables. In September, Orvis will release the five and eight-weight Helios 3s with two flex families to choose from (additional sizes will continue to be added to the range in 2018). The 3F excelled out to 40 feet and was well suited for fishing dry flies and light nymphing rigs. Beyond action, the two flex families can be distinguished by their finish. This is a nice, small touch. Orvis reworked its popular Helios fly rod to reflect this simple philosophy and the end result is the Helios 3 Fly Rod. So why did they create it? Again, why? Yes. Orvis H-3. The 3D generated noticeably more line speed than the 3F. Between the 3D and the 3F, there is a lot to be excited about with these USA made fly rods. The buzz around IFTD this year was heavy on the rod-talk. It was both well known and well regarded, and, importantly, it sold well. Because it’s a better product — at least, at this weight and size. Helios 3F and 3D each offer uncompromising purpose. Doing away with more traditional descriptors like tip-flex and mid-flex, Orvis opted for the following monikers: Helios 3D (D=Distance) and Helios 3F (F=Finesse). Doing away with more traditional descriptors like tip-flex and mid-flex, Orvis opted for the following monikers: Helios 3D (D=Distance) and Helios 3F (F=Finesse). I hated it, so they let me cast others. They have launched their new “Pro” line, available to the public, with features boxes of the same dark black, with stark fluorescent accents. Nevermind that the fisherman happened to the Tom Rosenbauer (that was unplanned!) The two versions of the new Helios rods are the “D” and the “F”. Over the past two months, I’ve had the opportunity to extensively fish the 3D and 3F 5wt and the 3D 8wt in Florida, Wyoming, and of course Colorado. Messages 784 Reaction score 91 Location Snake, Clearwater and tribs. That big white stripe on the handle condenses all of this change. Sure, not everyone will love the branding, but don’t write this rod off before you cast it. When I broke my Orvis Zero G that I loved so much they sent me a new Helios. Dampening the vibration when the rod transfers power on the forward and back casts. The 3D version of the rod puts an emphasis on distance and is well-suited for targeting predatory fish in windy saltwater environments. My retail career spans many years with major retailers, most recently where I had the opportunity to help open new stores and train entire teams. I can probably count my number on one hand. The Helios 3 is proving to be nothing short of a spectacular lineup of rods. There are some other small touches, like the alignment dots, and the titanium guides, and the rod tube (also modern, which I like). In the end, I think this is a better rod for New England saltwater and large freshwater applications than the Helios 2. It’s also good branding. Kudos to Orvis for creating a rod that meets or exceeds those standards of their prior flagship rod, and for having the vision to try to expand the audience base for fly fishing. Available in two different tapers and flexes, the Helios 3 comes in either a 3D or 3F version. From sight nymphing, throwing streamers, dry flies and big foam flies, the Helios 3D and the Helios 3F have been challenged every way I could possibly contrive during my time with the rods. At the end of the day, my shoulder wasn’t sore. or Buy It Now. This helped me consistently deliver the cast without starting too early on my forward cast. How did Orvis design to increase the Helios 3’s accuracy? Excellent. The F Series, concentrates more on finesse, without sacrificing too much power. A fervent supporter of the H2, I was a little apprehensive about a new rod release. That said, the rod does feel comfortable in your hand. $500.00. The real seat does have a nice touch, where they can engrave your name on the reel seat. It was both well known and well regarded, and, importantly, it sold well. That accuracy translates directly to more fish. The snub-nosed half well grip feels good in the grip, and the matt black blank looks good, if unusual. Orvis Helios 3F 108-4 Fly Rod Outfit : 10'0" 8wt ON SALE! Ending Oct 17 at 5:28PM PDT 6d 22h. It’s very different from, say, a Scott blank. End of Review. Order the Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod Today (Expected to be shipped September 2017)! I loved fishing the H2 over the last several years, but it has been out-classed, by the lighter, more accurate, H3. All rods have weights and lengths at which they seem to excel. It's no secret that fly fishing is a game of inches. The H3 shakes less than the H2 and coincidentally, the H3 is noticeably more accurate. How many fish have you caught on an 80 foot cast? With the introduction of the Helios 3, Orvis dropped their description of fly rods as “tip flex” and “mid flex,” opting for the distinctions of D for distance and F for feel. Orvis Helios 3D 10’ 7wt. The idea, I believe, was to give the consumer some idea what these rod actions might be used for rather than expecting them to understand the technical aspects of rod flex. 2 years ago the z axis (one handed not 2) and zxl were superior to all else. $806.65. $299.99. I found one with a flex I liked and have been very happy with it. 3D is accuracy with power at distance for pinpoint delivery of larger flies. Instead, Orvis aimed to tackle the accuracy and precision of their rods, with the aim to make even the beginner fisherman an excellent caster and bring fly fishing to a wider audience. There’s the big white label against a midnight black rod. Brand New. “Fast is fine, accuracy is everything.” What anglers discover with experience is just that. The moral of my story is cast them first, before you make a choice. For instance, in using it to single hand spey, I didn’t feel the rod flex very much at all. I’ve also used it to chase Atlantic salmon, in both Canada and in Iceland, where I used it for both overhand and single spey casting. It is a must cast for the angler looking for a new rod, no matter the application. Ok, ok. That’s all fine, you say. Orvis Helios 3D 912-4 Fly Rod Outfit : 9'0" 12wt ON SALE! Before I say more, let’s again start with the Helios 2. ORVIS HELIOS 3F & 3D FLY ROD SERIES – There is a famous quote by Wyatt Earp. The rod tracked extremely straight and that resulted in some impressively accurate casts at distance. See all the fun ways we've decided to test the accuracy of the new Helios 3 fly rod. The Helios 3 rods are available in both the D and F Series – with the D series more designed for distance and power. Vintage G Loomis Composites GF866 8'6" 2 Piece Fly Fishing Rod & Tube. Point blank. Only a small graphite insert in the reel seat is visible. $129.00. There are several other terrific new 5-weight rods like the Orvis Helios 3, and the re-designed Douglas Sky “G” that gave these new Loomis NRX+ rods a real challenge for that coveted #1 spot. I am super impressed with the new Helios 3 rods out of Manchester, Vermont. If Orvis wasn't at the top of the fly rod game before with the Helios 2, they are now with the Helios 3. The tip was softer than I expected, in a positive way. More fish should be the answer for almost everyone. The 3F can still handle heavier rigs, as I picked apart the pockets of a smaller river with articulated streamers and size 6 Chubby Chernobyl’s with it last weekend. If you step back from the rod for a second, and look at what Orvis has done to their brand recently, you’ll notice a few things. To Orvis’ point, many fly anglers (myself included), have a tendency to throw as much line as possible when testing out a new rod. If you are looking for the extended review, read on... With the fleet of high quality rods on the market today, Orvis determined that the next frontier of fly rod innovation was accuracy. An excellent complement to the new Helios 3 fly rod series, this carry knife is designed to have the exclusive look of the Helios 3 rod blank with its distinctive white label. Thomas and Thomas just introduced a very light presentation rod called the Paradigm, which complements their outstanding Avantt. That being said, don’t underestimate the 3F. Not only was it more accurate, but the H3 felt lighter in the hand and was more responsive. I think a few things are going on here. This is a classic tradeoff: feel versus power. Accuracy catches fish. This is a great rod for New England striped bass, for albies, and for blues, or, if you’re down south, even for red fish down south. but the intent hit me: this rod is instantly recognizable in a way that the Helios 2 wasn’t. What purpose does that serve? Then the helios came out. $1,877.00 $1,802.00 Orvis Helios 3 Fly Rod Outfits ON SALE! The Helios 3 has been called “the most accurate ... ORVIS continues the legacy of pushing fly rod design and technology with the award-winning Helios 3 fly rod. Recognizable, unique and sleek with the matte finish, the Orvis Helios 3 is a good looking rod that steps out of the classic blues, greens, and blacks. In using a Rio Coastal Quickshooter XP, I found the rod actually did give some feedback. Can the new H3 throw an entire fly line? Take, for instance, Orvis’s 50/50 program, which seeks to promote gender parity on the water — something that is, in my opinion, long overdue.