9wt Helios
- This topic has 8 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated Feb 17, 2008 at 3:57 am by
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After years of really over-hyped and cleverly named rods coming out of Manchester I have to say, Orvis certainly raised the bar for all rod manufacturers with that Helios series.
Really incredible stuff!Well, you could discuss about whether the 6-weight rod is specially nice or the Helios series as a whole is great?
Jay
Well, you could discuss about whether the 6-weight rod is specially nice or the Helios series as a whole is great?
Jay
I cast the 5 and the 8 weights a number of times over a three day show.
Those two were some of the finest rods I’ve cast. I really can’t speak for the entire series.Its all fine and dandy how a rod casts in a parking lot or at a casting area at a show, but nothing beats the time actually fishing it on the water. Thats why companies like Sage and Scott have demo rods. How a rod casts is only a small part of what makes a good rod. The thing that I am most concerned about is how is it at fighting a fish. Is the rod going to have enough power in the butt section to handle a large fish. Another thing that you might consider is this going to be a good all around rod where I can use a variety of fishing methods.
I think some of the respondants have enough experience to have a very good idea of how rod will perform by test casting. Even though it’s not a Sag[ch279], the Orvis Helios is a darn fine rod that should make the other players go back to the drawing board.
All I’m saying is that in many years of test casting rods and in buying quite a number of rods in all line weights and sizes I’ve yet to be dissapointed in my purchases and with none of them did I need a trial to make up my mind.I’m not calling into question anyone who responded ability to determine, I’m saying in general there is a lot of people that focus on how well, mostly how far they can cast a rod as the key determining factor for buying a rod. I myself am in the same boat as you Peddler, I can nail down a rods ability and performance using various lines pretty accuratly. Although one rod that everyone should demo before buying is a two-hander, a bit off topic with this thread, but it can take a quite a bit of time to pin-point the right line for the rod. Nothing beats messing with various tip lengths and grain weights to nail down the perfect line for a two hander.
Michael, A two-hander? I’m afraid to go there! Got all of Simons books and video’s as well as others, am intrigued but it’s all about the cash outlay and the need. I think the only place around here I might need one is the salt and I don’t get there enough to justify it.
I do use spey casting single-handed on small streams, thanks to Simon Gawesworth’s demonstrations and explanations.Sorry ’bout the hijack!
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