I cast a Helios today…
- This topic has 19 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated Nov 24, 2007 at 3:34 pm by
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…as I work for them in Dallas. Till now I have been somewhat hesitant to mention this, but I have not seen the anti-Orvis population here that I have on the Drake.
Anyway, yes, the stick by itself is a little less than 8 bills. It is light, very light, and true to claims, accurate. I found it to be a rod that recquired less effort than others I already have. Everyone already knows about all of the features this rod boasts, and now you know I work for Orvis, (just a sales assoc.) so I will not bore you any longer with my opinion, but you really should throw one around for a while. If you find yourself doing so, try overlining the 5wt.
Zach, assuming you played with one while taking the pictures up North, what were your initial impressions?
Dusty
… Till now I have been somewhat hesitant to mention this, but I have not seen the anti-Orvis population here that I have on the Drake.
Dusty
I think this sentiment might exist here at IA, (I admit I am guilty of it) but lets just say that the temperment here at IA is quite a bit different than that of The Drake.
As to the Helios…a buddy of mine works a fly shop and says it is an impressive stick…
Thanks for the honesty Seafood. But when you live in a place like Dallas, one that does not seem to support as much Flyfishing as other parts of the country, you gotta do what you can to scratch the itch. Plus, it was a definite step in the right direction from the White River Fly Shop at Bass Pro. I just thought I would let it be known, as Iam sure it will pop out somehow in the future anyway. I didn’t want to seem like I was pushing the merchandise, just wanted some true opinions of the rod if anyone had any to share.
Dusty
Dusty,
Thanks for the report! Any field test yet?
I love to visit the Orvis shop in Atlanta. They provide good servis and tremendously helpful. Especially, a guy called Shannon… He always give out his secret spots 😉The Orvis rep brought a 6 wt. tip flex, 8 wt. mid flex, and 10 wt. tip flex to the saltwater ff picnic south of New Orleans about a month ago. The tip flex rods were much more to my liking. I have never – ever – been impressed by an Orvis rod heavier than a 4-wt., but these blew me away. The 10 weight was unbelievably light, hard to believe how easy it was to cast. I would like to know how it fights a fish though.
IMHO the 6-wt was the class of the three. Light, responsive, smooth. It was one of those rods that came to life in my hands. Very subjective, I know, and all related to my personal casting style, but wow. I lust over it, but of course it won’t be available until Spring . . . and I can’t afford one . . . but then I can’t afford most of my gear!!
Cheers,
BillyI will be taking the 8,9 & 10 Helios down to Ascension Bay next month to test in the field. Will let you know how they go.
Orvis gets grief primarily for being successful in marketing itself not just as an equipment dealer, but as a lifestyle.
Interesting to see that Orvis tries to keep innovating their rods (reels much less as it seems) while being a life style brand. Other brands like LL Bean and maybe even Cabela’s keeps a lower and less risky profile and just let their rods built by other manufacturers. I think the way Orvis keeps it’s effort to stay a premier rod maker should deserve more respect.
Although I’ve never liked their rods that started with the HLS series (waaaaay back mid 80’s) maybe they have come up with something really good with their Helios rod series. I’ve yet to cast one, I certainly will give it a chance.
About manufacturing equipment in the east:
I think the quality is bound to improve. The experience that is gained with the past and the quality control being improved by companies like Orvis, Winston, TFO, etc. the US made rods should watch out. Unless the US made rods are on the front of quality & technology used, the ones that can’t keep up will probably be eaten by the asian made rods. Also because these rods come with ‘no questions asked’ garantees.Jay
Just as a note, the Helios is made entirely within the United States. Â I believe all of Orvis’ top-end rods are manufactured up in Manchester.
Zach
Ditto Winston.
the 0 gravity 7wt was the worst 7 wt I’ve ever casted that cost more than $100 (the absolute worst being a $25 cabelas rod, but I guess that was 8 wt), the traveler rods have crazy bad tip bounce, and orvis makes watches for gods sake… The helios sounds like a decent sage or st croix but at double the price… Orvis does make some pretty decent reels, but they haven’t figured out the whole high end graphite rod thing yet, just the high end price.
I have to disagree, I have owned top end rods from every manufacturer and an Orvis Far and Fine is one of the finest casting tools I have ever used.
I think that some may have misunderstood my intentions. The entire point of my post was to ask my fly brethren their opinions of this rod. I made it known where I work simply b/c I did not want any future grief or accusations of pushing the product on this blog. Now, I am almost sorry I even brought up the matter as it has sent some reeling (pun noted but not intended.) Personally, I could not care less what rod/reel one uses or why: I was simply asking for opinions…
Dusty
” The helios sounds like a decent sage or st croix but at double the price…”
DOUBLE the price……really? top of the line SAGE rods cost how much?
“Orvis does make some pretty decent reels, but they haven’t figured out the whole high end graphite rod thing yet, just the high end price.”
what is it they need to figure out?
” I think orvis rods are the worst way to spend money on fly fishing equippment, and I get really good pro deal from them”…
How is it you get a pro deal?
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