Orvis Helios 3D Review

Years ago a friend of mine bought a nice car – and I mean a really nice car. We’re talking about one of the high end BMW models pushing 6 figures. While showing it off to our friends, one of the guys made a joke by saying, “ya, but a Honda Civic will take you just as far”. Although we all laughed, it was clearly understood that everyone standing there would much rather get there in a BMW. 

That leads me to the flagship of the high end fly rods at Orvis. So here is my Orvis Helios 3D review. We’re going to take a look at everything about this thing. Although you can catch fish on just about any fly rod out there, but would you rather do it on the equivalent of a Civic, or the BMW?

Helios 3D Features

4. REC recoil snake guides

5. Aluminum rod tube

Orvis Helios 3D Models

Orvis Helios 3D White

Orvis Helios 3D Review – Our take

Generally speaking, Orvis has a great reputation that they’ve built over the years with the quality of their fly fishing products, and the trust that they’ve built with their customers. Many new fly fishermen eventually find their way to the Orvis website to learn various fishing techniques from the library of instructional videos with founder Tom Rosenbauer. Obviously their brand loyalty goes a long way. 

So if I told you that you could only own one fly rod for the rest of your life, and that rod was from some fly-by-night, no-name company you had never heard of, you would  probably not be happy. But if I told you that it was an Orvis rod, that would probably change things a bit. 

The Helios 3D is the top-of-the-line rod from Orvis with high performance, but also a relatively high price tag. Whether or not that price tag is justified is a fairly subjective question that will change depending on the person you’re talking to (and the size of their bank account). For the purposes of this review we’ll be looking at various levels of performance and quality of the product. Meanwhile the other half of the review will revolve around the value received, and whether the performance is worth the price tag.

Composition: Blank

The Orvis Helios 3D is a lightweight, yet sturdy rod that feels well-balanced on first inspection. Specifically, the US made high quality graphite blank comes in a matte midnight finish with either the black on white, or black on turquoise Orvis logo at the bottom end of the rod near the grip. To be honest I’m not blown away by the looks, but the design is adequate.

Composition: Reel Seat

This rod features a type III anodized aluminum midnight black reel seat with matte midnight carbon insert. The reel seat comes with the standard up-locking configuration where the locking mechanism pushes the reel upwards towards the tip of the rod.

Also worth noting is the dual screw locks on the reel seat. Although this is fairly standard on most fly rods nowadays, those other rods on the market  that only have a single screw lock can create serious problems. A single screw lock means there’s a high probability that the reel can come loose while fishing. And if you’re like me, that always seems to happen at the worst possible time. The dual screw locks do a great job almost completely eliminating this from happening. 

Composition: Guides

Another great feature is the SiC/Titanium stripping guides black epoxy sealing the black wrappings underneath. These are high quality REC recoil snake guides that are built with an extremely hard, but flexible “shape memory” alloy. This alloy apparently doesn’t require plating, cannot corrode in any environment, and returns to its original shape after repeated deformations. 

Composition: Grip

There are various levels of quality when sourcing cork. The Rod Builder Cork Grade Rating systems grades cork on three different levels – CG1, CG2, and CG3. Orvis does not officially publish what grade of cork that is used for the grip, but after using the rod, referencing the published standards, and comparing to my existing collection, it seems apparent to me that they are using a higher grade cork that is at least CG2 if not CG1.

It’s extremely smooth, cushioned, and free of blemishes. When holding another rod and then picking up the Helios, it’s clear to anybody that the comfort level on the grip is significantly improved over most rods. 

Performance

According to Orvis’ site, the rod comes only in 9 foot lengths with a weight rating from 4 through 12. For the purposes of this review I used a 6 weight, 9 ft version of the rod. While my initial impressions about rod weight, and the comfort of the handle were impressive, I was even more surprised once I was able to get a few casts in.

The rod has a smooth, fast action that enables long, accurate casts at various distances. One of the things you’ll notice with lower quality rods is that the taper of the rod is uneven, which causes improper loading at certain casting distances. Whereas a more even-tapered rod will have similar performance at all distances.

Through the course of our testing we were able to hit targets with a high level of accuracy at various distances. Where we really saw a big difference is the level of accuracy that was maintained even at the farthest distances of my cast. I was able to cast the same distance with other rods. The big difference here was how accurate those casts were on those outer limits. 

In a nutshell, the performance of the Helios 3D is undoubtedly top-notch. The level of craftsmanship and quality put into this rod makes it one of the higher performers in the fly fishing game. Now that the performance has been established, let’s talk about the value.

Value

The price point for the Orvis Helios 3D comes in at $998 which is a decent chunk of change for the average angler. There are many great rod options out there for half the price tag. So what exactly do you get for the extra cost? I’ve already outlined some of the specifics about the materials and technology behind the rod, but what does that translate to? From my experience with the rod, here’s the main advantages to buying this rod:

• Casting accuracy at long distances

Other rods may enable you to cast as far, but an uneven taper may cause your accuracy to wane at those longer distances

• Lightweight design

A lighter rod means less fatigue when spending long days on the water

• Comfort

The comfort of the grip lends confidence to your casting

• Long-lasting quality

The higher quality materials ensure that this rod will last over the long term. And paired with Orvis’ lifetime guarantee, you can rest assured that you will get use our of the rod for years to come.

Who Is The Orvis Helios 3D Made For?

That question is also affected by the level of dedication to the sport. Are you a guide who spends every day on the river and therefore you need high quality tools? Your income depend on clients catching fish, so you want to give them the best tools possible. Maybe the expense is worth it to you.  

Likewise, what about a die hard trout bum who spends a huge amount of time on the river? What about the guy criss-crossing the country every chance he gets, fishing in all conditions, including at night? The trophy hunter who is putting in the extra effort and hours to land a fish of a lifetime? For those guys, the extra cost may be worth that added benefit.

But what about the guy who can afford it, but he only tags along with some friends once a year at a local tailwater catching stocked trout. Or someone who just needs something to use while throwing poppers at a farm pond filled with largemouth bass? Lastly, what about the guy on a tight income who is just trying to get permission from his wife to let him spend a few hours on the river this week. Is it worth it to them?

The Conclusion

Overall, when it comes to value, it’s really about the goals and objectives of the person buying the gear. What features are a must? Conversely, what features do they not care about? I’ve never claimed that there’s one rod that should be used by everyone. There’s no magic Excalibur fly rod to rule them all. It’s about understanding the features and pitfalls for every rod and choosing the right one that compliments your style and your needs.

To put it shortly, the Orvis Helios 3D definitely sits towards the top of the heap when it comes to quality and performance. I’ve made a value judgment based on my needs, but it’s entirely possible that your own value judgment leads you to a different conclusion. Hopefully I’ve given you the information and the tools to make a good decision.

Orvis Helios 3D Pros and Cons

Cons

! High Price Tag

! Mediocre aesthetic

Overall Ranking

9 / 10

Orvis Helios Deals

Accessories: Reel and Fly Line

Rio Premier Gold Fly Line

Orvis Helios 3D Starter Pack

If you’ve decided to pick up the Orvis Helios 3D, or found another fly rod that suits your needs, there are some bare essentials you’re going to need to get read yot hit the water. Check out some of our suggestions below:

• • Reel – You’ll need a reel that complements the rod. For this we suggest one of Orvis’ high end Hydros Reels. 
  • Fly Line – For fly line we suggest either Rio Premier Gold fly line. 
  • Waders and Boots – If you plan on wading into a stream, we suggest Simms Freestone Waders and Korkers Wading Boots.
  • Wading Pack – We also recommend a good wading pack like the Simms Freestone Chest Pack to carry your flies, hemostats, tippet, and other accessories
  • Flies – Fill your fly box with the newest and most popular flies from Orvis.

Orvis Helios 3D Accessories

Fly Fishing Tools Kit and Accessories Combo Kits, Fishing Quick Nail Knot Tying Tool, Hook Remover Forceps and Pliers, Stainless Steel Salmon and Trout Multiple Fishing Set Gear Tool Assortment