The fly fishing obsessed has a tendency to become infatuated with gear. While it is true you can catch fish with any gear, the more you dive into fly fishing, the more you start to wonder how new technologies can help put more fish in the net. Teetering between passionate and outright addicted, we have developed into certified gear junkies. We obsess and argue over flies, waders, reels, and, most importantly, rods. When it comes to fly rods, every angler has their own preferences. Some prefer fast and powerful rods, while others prefer slow and precise rods. Recently, Orvis released the Helios, the newest and fourth iteration of this legendary rod.
Comprised of two series, both F (Finesse) and D (Distance) versions, there is a rod for everyone. With the launch of this new rod, we had the chance to sit down with Shawn Combs, Director of Design and Development and the brain behind the Helios. In our studio in Basalt, Colorado, Shawn gave us a first look at the new rods and some valuable insight about specific models. Here is everything you need to know about the Helios in this installment of Gear Lab.
Helios Breakdown:
The Helios lineup started in 2008 with the launch of the ZG Helios. Since then, this flagship series has given us the Helios 2, Helios 3, and now the much-anticipated Helios. The new Helios comes in two series, F and D. The Finesse (F) series is designed for delicate presentations, offering a bit more feel–perfect for presenting dries to rising fish. On the other hand, the Distance (D) series is ideal for punching through the wind and throwing big flies, especially in high water. Between the two series are 29 models, including everything from small stream 2wts to offshore big game 14wts.
The Helios lineup features several specialty models for anglers in specific situations. The Quick Shot series features three 8’5″ models–a 7wt, 8wt, and 10wt–designed to load quickly and deliver accurate casts in tight quarters. Anglers can also find technique-specific rods for Euro Nymphing, including an 11′ 3wt.
Specs and Features:
The Helios is a true flagship rod, and with that comes premium features and components. Each rod in the D series features matte black rod blanks and matching thread wraps, while the F series features matte olive blanks. In addition, each rod features premium-grade cork, double-locking reel seats, titanium stripping guides, and crushable recoil guides. On freshwater rods, reel seats are paired with premium wood, adding to the aesthetic.
Now that we have covered the overview of what you get, we can talk about performance. Orvis claims the Helios is the most accurate rod they’ve ever made and the most accurate currently on the market. So, how did Orvis achieve this? Shawn and his team developed specialty equipment to track the rod’s movement, accuracy, and recovery. With this technology and several iterations of blanks, they developed the current Helios–a rod they claim is four times more accurate than the Helios 3. In addition, Orvis claims the new Helios is 20% more durable than the Helios 3.
First Impressions:
The new Helios sounds impressive, and after sitting down with Shawn Combs, we had high expectations. The natural next step would be to get out on the water and test their claims’ validity. After all, we’ve all fallen victim to a good marketing claim that turned out to be just that—a claim. So, we packed up the waders and headed to our local river to put these to the test. We brought two rods, a 9′ 6wt F model and a 10′ 3wt F model. These two rods could tackle just about any type of fishing we’d encounter, from throwing hoppers to euro-sticking pockets.
The 9′ 6wt F model was our all-around boat rod for the day. We threw dry droppers, indicator rigs, and even small streamers. This rod is part of the F series or Finnesse series, which is designed with precision and accuracy in mind. On the water, the new technology quickly became apparent. We consistently landed foam bugs within inches of undercut banks and tasty-looking pockets. As a 6wt, it was also a versatile rod. We threw small streamers and respectable-sized indicator rigs with relative ease. While this rod is part of the F series and not designed for power, being a 6wt, we had ample backbone for these techniques. If power is more your style, we recommend going with the D series.
When we did hook into fish, the softer feel of the F series translated to an excellent fish fighting rod. The blank transmitted ample feedback into the cork, indicating what the fish wanted to do. The softer tip section also aided in tippet protection. Fishing a 6wt, we typically don’t like to drop tippet size much lower than 4x. Yet the sensitivity and soft tip paired perfectly to fish down to 5x if the situation called for it.
The 10′ 3wt F series we brought got its fair share of use in slower pools and pockets. We fished small perdigones and other Euro-style nymphs on a tight line setup. In Euro nymphing, sensitivity is everything. Being part of the F series, we could detect the subtlest takes even before our sighter moved. Despite being a 3wt, this rod had a relatively strong backbone paired with a softer and more sensitive tip. Once we hooked fish–like the 6wt–we had ample tippet protection to maneuver fish through currents and around rocks. The blend of sensitivity and tippet protection is key for a dedicated European Nymphing rod. The new Helios exceeded our expectations, enabling us to fish light tippets and consistently detect strikes.
Final Thoughts:
The new Helios series of rods is impressive, to say the least. Shawn Combs and his team did their homework to address issues with their Helios 3 and other rods on the market. Through research and rigorous testing, anglers have a model for just about any fishing scenario. While we haven’t cast the whole lineup, what we have fished has lived up to the hype. These rods were accurate, powerful, and tuned perfectly to fight fish. So, is it worth the price tag? With a best-in-class 25-year warranty and performance to match, we certainly think so.
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Last Updated on March 21, 2025 by Zane Jeka
