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If you’re in the market for a new fly rod and want to fish with a Ferrari instead of a Ford, then the Orvis Helios 3D might be the right fly rod you have been searching for.
When Orvis came out with their new Helios 3D fly rod a few years back, they claimed it was “the most accurate fly rod ever built.” Now, that is saying something, and every fly fisherman in the game wanted to get their hands on one and see if the marketing was true.
The 3D is Orvis’ top-performance fly rod and is an upgrade of the previous Helios 2, which was a pretty solid fly rod, but how does the 3D compare?
Join me as we take an in-depth look at the Orvis Helios 3D fly rod to discover what is so great about it and whether it stands up to all the press.
Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod Overview
The Helios 3D is, by far, one of the best fly rods Orvis has ever made, in my opinion, and you’ll find very few fly fishing guides who disagree with that statement.
When you first pick up the rod, you immediately feel the comfort of the snub-nosed half-wells grip, which fits snugly in your hand, and it’s pretty mind-blowing how light these rods are.
The first time I held one was on the flats, and it was a 12-weight Helios 3D that my client was using and said, “Here, have a go with this and see what you think.” I didn’t expect much as I was used to fishing with a G. Loomis or a Thomas & Thomas, and Orvis rods, in my opinion, were never quite at that level.
But, when I held the Helios 3D 12 weight in my hand and made a cast, what I thought about Orvis changed immediately. This rod was super-light, especially for a 12 weight and I dropped a 60 ft cast with barely any effort at all. It felt solid in my hands and quite powerful to boot, creating fast line speeds and tight loops that would easily punch effortlessly into the wind with ease.
The Helios 3D is an awesome fly rod, and it’s built to be forgiving to cast with, which other performance rods like the G. Loomis Asquith or T&T Exocett aren’t.
The blank is designed to absorb casting inconsistencies and inaccuracies to give you a more consistent overall cast and more of a chance to catch a fish – if it could absorb nerves and excitement, I would only let my guests cast with this on the flats.
When you cast with this, chances are you’ll cast further, more accurately than before, and with less effort. It’s a great rod to pick up and go again with, too, like when you have to recast to a moving fish on the flats within double quick time.
The rod also comes with all bells and whistles, including a type III anodized aluminum w/ carbon insert that will never corrode and light and tough tantalum stripping guides with SIC inserts that reduce friction.
To top it all off, it comes with a 25-year repair or replace guarantee meaning that if it ever breaks on a fish or while you’re fishing, it will be fixed/replaced for free.
The one drawback to the Orvis Helios 3D is the high price, as it retails for around $1000, which is a pretty penny for a fly rod. But with the guarantee, you’re getting a rod for life, so it’s not so bad. If the price seems excessive and you are looking for a rod without the high price tag, my strong recommendation would be the Orvis Recon.
The rod is also available in a combo kit via the Orvis website. You can also have the outfit personalized with your name.
The rod outfit includes:
- Helios 3F 905-4 Fly Rod
- Mirage LT II
- Pro Trout Textured line
- 100 yards of 20 lb. dacron backing on the reel
- Aluminum rod tube
Pros Of The Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod
- It’s super light, which makes long days of blind casting easy
- Despite being light, it’s made from a super durable and tough blank
- The rod has some serious lifting power for putting the hurt on large species like tarpon
- It is lovely to cast with a low swing weight and great energy transfer
- It’s very forgiving to cast with, absorbing inaccuracies for more consistency overall
- You’ll find you cast further and more accurately with this fly rod
- Great feel when casting, from butt to tip
- Fast action and high line speeds help you punch through the wind on blustery days
- Great for picking up a recasting quickly on the flats
- It comes with top-quality titanium guides that reduce friction and bring the overall weight down
- A high-grade aluminum reel seat will survive in all environments
- It comes with a 25-year guarantee that Orvis stands by
Cons Of The Orvis Helios 3D Fly Rod
- It’s pretty expensive, but it is worth it for the quality
- Some anglers don’t like the white labeling by the rod grip
Specs
Model: Helios 3D
Material: Graphite
Stripping Guides: Titanium frame/SiC insert
Guides: REC Snake Guides
Reel Seat: Type III anodized aluminum w/ carbon insert
Weights: 4 – 12
Length: 9 -10 ft
Line Weights: 4 – 12
Action: Fast
Pieces: 4
Rod Tube: Yes
Who Is Orvis?
If you’re new to fly fishing, you might wonder about Orvis as a company, especially when they ask for close to $1000 for the Helios 3D.
Orvis has been in the fly fishing industry for 166 years since the company was founded in Manchester, Vermont, USA, in 1856. They are a company dedicated to the outdoors and have always had both fly fishing and wingshooting at their core, and still do today.
Regarding fly fishing rods, Orvis has made some of the best rods the world has seen and some of the most affordable and superior rods on the market. I wouldn’t hesitate to invest in an Orvis rod, but if you want to learn more about the company, there is more information on their official website.
FAQs About The Orvis Helios 3D
What weights and lengths does the Orvis Helios 3D come in?
The Orvis Helios 3D comes in a large range of weights all the way from a 4 weight to a 12 weight. Almost all the rods in the range are 9 feet long, which is the standard and most useful length for a fly rod, but you can also buy the 7 weight Helios 3D in a 10 feet length.
Can I use the Orvis Helios 3D for freshwater & saltwater fly fishing?
You can use the Orvis Helios in freshwater and saltwater; make sure you use the right weight for the species you’re after. The saltwater range runs from weights 8 through 12, while the freshwater range runs through weights 4 through 7.
With the Helios 3D 12-weight fly rod, you can go after some of the biggest species on a fly, including tarpon, sailfish, GTs, wahoo, and tuna.
What does the D stand for in Orvis Helios 3D?
The D in Orvis Helios 3D stands for “distance,” as it’s built to push both distances and accuracy. An alternative model is called the Orvis Helios 3F, which stands for “finesse,” which is a much softer rod more dedicated to delicate presentations rather than distance.
Is The Orvis Helios 3D Right For Me?
In my opinion, the Orvis Helios 3D is right for everyone who can afford to buy one, as long as you don’t mind the white “label” by the rod grip.
This fly rod performs excellently in all environments, is light and forgiving to cast with, provides great distance and accuracy, and is tough enough to handle the harshest fish and fishing situations. I don’t think you can ask for much more!
If you are looking for a rod more in the mid-range price bracket, then take a look at the Orvis Clearwater.
Final Thoughts
Orvis has a wide range of fly rods for every angler. The Helios is definitely at the top of the range, and its performance matches that expectation.
The Helios range covers freshwater and saltwater and is the ultimate quality fly rod available today.
Check out my review article on the mid to high-range Orvis Recon here!
Check out my review article on the mid-range Orvis Clearwater here!
Check out my review article on the entry-level range Orvis Encounter here!
You can read all my other rod article reviews, including reviews of many other best fly rod manufacturers.
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