Orvis, the family-owned and operated outdoor retailer and pioneer of the modern fly rod, released its next generation of Helios rods, which Orvis reported: “is four times more accurate than its ground-breaking predecessor the Helios 3 (H3) and is 25 percent stronger and 10 percent lighter in hand, resulting in an intuitive fly rod that defines a new era in fly rod manufacturing.”
“Helios rods are what people think of when they think of Orvis’ innovation and leadership in fly fishing,” said Orvis President Simon Perkins. “We had something really special with the Helios 3, and we wanted to challenge ourselves with something better. Because the team in our Rod Shop is the best in the world, the result is revolutionary.”
Conceived and built by designers, engineers and rod builders in Manchester, VT, the new Helios displays increased hoop strength and reduced rod tip displacement when casting. The result is a rod that “delivers a measurably more accurate cast than the competition, tracking four times better than the industry-leading Helios 3,” said Orvis. Orvis’ network of pro guides and anglers across seven countries, many of whom were part of the retailer’s official testing process, endorse the rod.
“The new Helios is a reimagining of what’s possible in a fly rod and its ability to deliver the best experience for an angler. Four times more accurate than the industry benchmark H3 is not hyperbole,” said Shawn Combs, director of fishing design and development at Orvis. “We’ve built the tools to quantify what’s been measured historically in our industry through feel. This rod is where instinct and innovation meet. The result is the most accurate rod in the world. We know it when we cast it, and we see it in the data.”
The Helios is available in two series, Distance (D) and Finesse (F). The D-Series offers increased line speed, lifting power and stored energy and is available in various sizes, from 4-weight for small stream trout to 14-weight for billfish in saltwater. The F-Series features increased sensitivity optimized for delicate presentations and tippet protection and is available in sizes ranging from 2 weight to 8 weight.
“It’s fun to think of Orvis as a start-up in the 1850s and how Charles F. Orvis wanted to give someone the tool that would introduce them to the natural world in a way that would change their life,” said Perkins. “That’s really what this new generation of Helios does. It makes any angler their best. And when you’re your best, you want to get out and live for more unforgettable moments on the water.”
The Helios fly rod collection is available online and at select independent fly shops and Orvis retail stores.
Images courtesy Orvis
