Any opinions on this rod. Thinking of an 8wt for steelies in Great Lakes tribsand stripers in the salt? Thanks Dave
When upscale flyrods passed the $500 mark, I lost interest. $800 is definitely pricey but it is your money. And there is no substitute for owning the finest.
Bob
I don’t have one; however, I have cast them before — very, very nice. If you can afford it, I say go for it – you only live once and there is no guarantee how long.
I do not own one (they are pricey) but if I had the money, I would get one. I have tested both the Orvis Helios, and Hydros Rods (with their reels), and their Switch Rods in both the Helios and Hydros Models (the 5 and 6 weights, and even the 8,10, Saltwater and Salmon Switch Rods). They are light, very accurate casting, and Throws a lot of line out with little effort. For those people with Shoulder and BAck Problems, the Switch Rods in these models are fantastic. I was with Orvis guide and casting instructor Hutch Hutchinson while testing these Rods, and I was super impressed. Again, it is very pricey though (at least for me), and may be awhile before I own such a rod, but hey…Hardy Reels, Sage Rods, The original Boo Brothers Bamboo Rods, and Gary Lacey’s Granger Boo Rods are very nice and worth owning if you ever get the money for such. I am lucky to have the quality Graphite Rods I have; and even a 4 weight Shay Bamboo Blank that I am trying to finish (stick on a Belanger reel seat, Wrap the guides and Dip, etc.)
Everything in Fly Fishing anymore is pricey (even the materials I use to tie and design my Fly Patterns).
The guides in the Seychelles say it is the MOST broken brand of rod that they have seen.
I have a 9’ 5-weight and a 9’ 6-weight, both mid-flex. I immediately ordered them after casting the first one we got into the shop. They are excellent wind and drift boat rods. One thing to consider is that Orvis dramatically altered their tapers, so that the new mid-flex is faster than the old tip-flex rods. In fact, I’d strongly suggest against the tip-flex versions unless you plan to overline them or use one of the new half-weight lines (Rio Grand, SA GPX). For small streams or short-range fishing, I’d up-line even the mid-flex. Actually I’d use a different rod, which is why I have three five weights and at least four six weights at last count…
I have a 5 wt Helios that I love, so when I was looking for a new 8 wt, I tested the Helios. It is a great rod, but for my casting skills, I found that it took more effort to cast any distance than rods with more power in the butt. I ended up getting a Sage Xi2 (this was before the Xi3).
Astounding rods. Expensive as heck, but a real pleasure to cast. Nothing else like it. Haven’t got one as heavy as an 8 weight, but have thrown that weight and it is a cannon. Oh yeah, you did hear they are expensive, right?
I have three of them, a rarely used 8 wt., a 7 wt. that I use a lot and a 10 wt. that is my pike & musky rod. I like them all a lot, but as been said earlier, they respond best with lines that are a bit on the heavy side. FWIW my 7 wt. has suffered more abuse than it should have including being whacked with clousers and other misc. weighted flies, yanked on while trying to free a snagged fly and run into the ground while landing the kayak with only minor damage. The only damage I can see is a small cut on the windings but no cracks or other problems so far. I don’t recommend this kind of abuse but they are tougher than the listed weights might lead you to believe.
Ditto. I cast the 9wt, and it was sweet.
I’ve cast the 7’ 4wt and the 7’6" 3wt…unbelievable little rods. I do not own them unfortunately. 
I cannot say much on the heavier weights.
I may not be a guide in the Seychelles, but , I’ve beat my 2 Helios up pretty badly and they’ve performed very, very well.
I’m replying late to this, having just returned from a trip where my 6 wt. tip-flex 9’ pulled up 200 fish from San Diego Bay, including some bone fish and a 30 lb. angel shark. Also a 10 lb. halibut. Handling fish like those in a float tube requires some major strength, which the Helios has in spades. This rod has landed dozens of stripers to 15 lbs. . I have a 10’ 7 wt. tip-flex I use on GL steel which has done incredibly well, also. The oversize REC guides were great for clearing ice build-up, and it’s a single Spey cannon. It put about 100 steel and 20 kings and coho on the bank this fall and winter. I plan on using it for stripes and blues this coming salt season. The Zero Gravity line (before the intro of the Helios to it) was notorious for ferrule failure- not so for the Helios. Built to last and the tapers were designed by fisherman, not marketing experts. I don’t have tons of disposable income, the Helios rods I have were purchased after some serious casting and research. Pricey, but for me worth it to have great rods. I have some B2x’s and XP’s these rods have replaced.
Charlie
beautiful casting rod…but way out of my price range.
I’ve built a few of them for customers. Nice casting light rod…BUT… There are rods out there IMO that are just as nice for a whole heck of a lot less IMO.
Steve
I say go for it! 8 weight is a lot of rod and add big fish, go light as posible. I have a 6 wt Helios mid flex (I don’t notice any difference in taper though and I have several mid flex) It is so…SNAPPY. Awesome rod. I use a BIIx for my 8 weight. Light is nice on the big guns.
Ugly. For that money, they should be great casting and pretty.
A former Orvis manufacturer’s rep told me that the Helios and Hydros rods are built on exactly the same blanks, but with different hardware and finishes. Orvis discontinued the Hydros rods and blew out the remaining inventory last winter at deeply discounted prices. There are still a few around in the market if you do a little digging, and if you’re lucky, you should be able to pick up a closeout Hydros for $350 or less (compared to ~$800 for a comparable full-priced Helios). Keep an eye on eBay, for example. I got a 6 wt and liked it so much I got a 9 wt too!
I heard the same story about the Helios and the Hydros, but with one more twist: the blanks that didn’t pass inspection and testing to be a Helios became a Hydros. Still, the Hydros was a good deal…while it was being made.
I really don’t see that. Sorry, it still Orvis name on that rod. Plus that would be a lot of rods that didn’t pass. I do see it as the same blank with different paint, hardware and cork at a middle of the road price. Smart move and add to that, their ad “at a time when Americans are struggling” perfect timing.
Nope, I don’t see the not passing test theory at all.
I’ve heard that they have the same blanks, but to me, they do not cast the same. The Helios has a faster recovery rate than the Hydros…not sure if paint, cork, and hardware would make that much difference, but it was a noticeable difference.