Skip to main content

Orvis Launches All-New Helios Lineup of Fly Rods

The famed fly-rod company is taking the line to new fly-fishing heights.

Orvis Launches All-New Helios Lineup of Fly Rods

Orvis' all-new Helios line of fly rods are more accurate than ever. (Photo courtesy of Nate Simmons)


The onward-and-upward evolution of the Orvis Helios lineup of fly rods continues with the release of the fourth generation of the Helios series that began 16 years ago. The all-new Helios line-up arrived on Feb. 7, 2024, culminating a seven-year search for rod-making perfection and angler precision that reaches the edge of imagination and performance.

Orvis, the famed fly fishing company in business since 1856, first introduced the original Orvis ZG (Zero Gravity) Helios model in 2008, the name an homage to Greek mythology.

"In Greek mythology, Helios was imagined as a handsome god crowned with the shining aura of the sun, who drove a chariot across the sky each day and returned to the East at night," the company said then. "From Helios, we get helium, a name coined from the Greek helios because the element was observed in the solar spectrum during an eclipse in 1868. NASA thinks of Helios as a unique electrically powered experimental lightweight flying wing. Orvis has introduced Helios as the lightest fly rod in the industry.”

fly fisherman
Battle big Western brown trout with the new Orvis Helio fly rod. (Photo courtesy of Nate Simmons)

After a first step toward fly-rod perfection with the ZG Helios, the company pushed the envelope forward again a few years later with the Helios 2 in 2011 and then the Helios 3D (Distance) and 3F (Finesse) models in 2017.

Now, Orvis is preparing to go where no Helios rod has been before. The all-new Orvis Helios rod series is now four times more accurate than the previous Helios 3 model, being tested and proven to go beyond previous industry benchmarks for accuracy. It is available in both the Helios D and Helios F configurations.

The long-time fly rod maker says its engineers have been able to solve one of the most vexing accuracy dilemmas previously facing casting precision—tip displacement.

"When the energy of the forward cast is released, it can cause the rod tip to wobble around the horizontal and vertical axes—reducing the accuracy of the cast," Orvis said in a news release. "The new Helios displays dramatically increased hoop strength and minimized vibration along the blank, leading to a radical reduction of tip displacement. The result is a precise, smooth energy transfer from your hand to the fly and laser-like precision."

In addition to the new rod being more stable at the tip—and thus four times more accurate—the rod also excels in another key area: durability.

gaf-orvis-proshop
An inside look at the Orivis rod shop. (Photo courtesy of Nate Simmons)

To achieve that, Orvis engineers found more bend in the rod design and more backbone in the fighting end to make the all-new Helios design 25 percent stronger than the previous generations of the rod. That means more lifting power whena big brown trout runs under the boat or makes a ruckus at the net, places where rods are compromised and piscatorial battles are lost.

A third improvement in the all-new Helios lineup is an upgrade in quality, something that is difficult to say, given the top-shelf quality that Orvis fly rods have been known for over generations. But again, engineers met this challenge, while also reducing perceived weight in the hand—including a 10-percent reduction in levered swing weight—something that delivers a balanced feel, smooth energy transfer, effortless casting all day.

Some of that is through science and engineering, some of it is by paying attention to detail, and some of that is just simply providing plenty of high quality and good looks for consumers. That includes a black aluminum reel seat on big-game models and a burled hardwood reel seat on small-game models. Add in titanium stripping guides, REC recoil titanium snake guides, high-quality cork grips and a variety of grip configurations, quick-release snap closure rod socks with model identifiers printed onto the sock, and sharp looking aluminum rod tubes, and this rod looks as good as it performs.

fly fishing
There are 29 all-new Helios models designed for a variety of fishing techniques and species. (Photo courtesy Nate Simmons)

The all-new Orvis Helios lineup isn't simply something born out of a laboratory. It also comes from real-world fly-fishing field testing conducted by 20 expert anglers who caught thousands of fish while pushing these rods to the limit in seven different countries.

Recommended


Expert fly angler and noted author George Daniel, a frequent contributor to Outdoor Sportsman Group's Fly Fisherman magazine, was impressed by the rods he was able to field test: "The rod is smooth, feels incredibly light in hand, and places the fly where I want with little effort.”

gaf-orvisrods
Orvis launched the all-new updated Helios rod line on Feb 7. 2024.

Orvis’ aim is at fly anglers who seek small-stream finesse, fight trout on brawling rivers from a drift boat, or wading in looking for Euro-nymphing tactical precision. That includes anglers seeking a shorter fly rod that performs well in tight quarters and big-game fly hunters looking for everything from a double-digit largemouth bass to the biggest tarpon.

There are 29 all-new Helios models, 12 of which are in the Finesse lineup (ranging from a 7-foot, 6-inch 2-weight to a 9-foot 8-weight) and 17 new rods in the Helios Distance lineup (ranging from a 10-foot 4-weight to an 8-6 14-weight for blue water demons of the deep). There's also eight different grip and butt configurations, helping you zero in on the ultimate new Helios fly rod that is perfect for your needs.

The MSRP for the new Helios rod lineup is $1,098 for freshwater rods and $1,198 for the big game rods (anything with a fighting butt) and that the pricing split starts with the 9' 6-weight Helios D model.




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Dryshod Evalusion Hunt Boots Keep Whitetail Hunters on Top of Their Game

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Lew's Custom Pro Gen 3

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Other

Light up the Salt

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Caring for the Catch

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Snook on the Hook

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Guns

TriStar Cobra III Field Pump Super Compact .410

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Federal Premium Freight Train Copper Sabot Slug

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Saltwater Setup

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Fishing

Jacks to the Max

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Baits & Tackle

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Rods

Finesse tactics continue to have impact on new bass gear. Of course, not everything in bass fishing is driven by finesse...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Reels

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Game & Fish App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use