Fly Rod Review – Orvis Helios 3F

1. Overview (with jump ahead links):

1. Overview
   

2. About The Orvis Helios 3F Fly Rod

3. Specifications & Features

4. Photo Gallery

5. Detailed Review Comments

6. Video Review

7. Wrap-Up

We called Orvis to discuss their 3F, and bring you information not available in other reviews, and some information not even available on the Orvis website.  For more information about how we review and rate fly rods, expand the accordion box below.

 

 

2. About The Orvis Helios 3F Fly Rod

If you’re looking for a high-performance fly rod that excels at casting accuracy combined with touch and feel, the Orvis Helios 3F is a terrific choice.  It’s a high-end quality and price, versatile fly rod with a stunning design and quality construction.

Its hallmarks are a moderate action made with high-tensile, break resistant graphite, designed in a way so as to mitigate variables that affect casting precision.  It excels in the 30-50 foot casting range, with ability to cast longer as needed (if not without effort).

It is not a rod that is specifically designed for heavier weight lines (e.g. 9 = 12 weight) or consistent use for casting distances over 50 feet, or in high wind, powerful currents, or deep water situations on a routine basis.

If you’re looking to up your trout fishing game, with a focus on accurate casting, this will be a great selection.  Before you conclude this Orvis fly rod review, consider also the Orvis Helios 3F combo, which is a way to add value to this high end rod.

Recommended Applications:

• Average trout and panfish – YES – lighter-weight models
• Larger trout, bass and smaller salmon (silvers, sockeye) YES – heavier weight models
• Large salmon and steelhead – NO
• Pike, muskie – NO
• Saltwater – NO

  

Differences Between Orvis Models:

Sometimes it’s hard to cut through the marketing hype and language.  If you are wondering, like many, what the key differences are between the Orvis 3F and 3D lines are, here you go.   In summary terms, the 3F is a more moderate action rod offering accurate casts with finesse.  The maker touts the power of the 3F, of which it has some, but it is designed more as a finesse rod.  You can see that in the line weights available 3 – 8 weight. 

In contrast, the 3D is a fast-action rod offering more power, but still touting accurate casts.  The line weights available for the 3D are 4 – 12 weight, much more heavy duty as you can tell supported by a (somewhat) stiffer rod.  Beyond that, you can tell the two product lines apart by their finishes.

3. Specifications And Features

Shopping online is convenient, but when we review fly rods, we also want you to know exactly what you’re getting before you make a purchase.  Here are the design specifications and features of the Sage Foundation fly rod:

 

4. Photo Gallery

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.5. Detailed Orvis Helios 3F Review Comments

Orvis Helios 3F Fly rods are built with accuracy in mind.  They have several designed- and built-in characteristics that can enable you to push your fishing to a higher level.  Given this higher level of rod-engineering, it performs as a high-end fishing rod, with a commensurate cost.

Orvis has built their brand around consistent quality fly fishing rods for decades.  They, like many manufacturers have developed rods with a fast action, that help cover a good casting distance.

However, the Helios is different, because it has much more of an emphasis on feel and accuracy, at the same time maintaining a level of strength and distance.  While the rod comes with a steep price, in light of its advanced features, the price  may seem more reasonable. It is not a regular rod that you might chuck in the back of the car, it is really an investment that can help take your fly fishing to a whole new level.

Orvis also produces the Helios 3D rods, which are strictly fast action, stiffer rods meant for power and distance. The 3D would perform better in stiff wind and on larger powerful rivers, for example.  So, be sure not to confuse the Helios 3F rods discussed here, that bring higher finesse and more flexibility, with the Helios 3D’s stiffer fast action design.  Think “F” for feeling and “D” for Distance.

Advantages of the Helios 3F:

• The rod helps take variables out of play, that increase casting accuracy
• Extremely sensitive rod, sensing even the slightest touch
• Lightweight category
• Highly versatile rod, covering most angling conditions and fish.
• Durable and easy rebounding recoil snake guides
• Warranty comes with a 25-year (quarter-century!) guarantee
• Glossy look and attractive design.

Considerations:

• Price demands a higher budget
• Not idea or even suitable for longer-distance casting (despite the manufacturer’s claims, which we rarely disagree with but do so in this instance).
• Has a medium action, which is perfect for touch, feel, and accuracy but not well suited for longer-distance, stiff winds, or powerful currents
• Doesn’t have a hook keeper (though you can just keep your hook on your lowest guide or other preferred spot).

Sizes And Models:Orvis has launched different models and sizes of the rod (see table below). Each size and model have their advantages for the kinds of user. Here are all the sizes and the models of the Helios 3F for you:

Price Comparison:

The rod has a price that can be tough to swallow if you prefer a more economical budget. The 3F It is a high-end rod with the best quality out there. To ensure you get as much as you can for your dollar, Orvis provides a solid long-term guarantee.

This high-value rod is renowned for its accuracy, is available in many online stores. Some of them are listed below for your comparison:

• Amazon
• Bass Pro Shops
• Cabelas
• Tackle Direct
• Trident Fly Fishing

Design and Construction

To achieve the high accuracy Orvis wanted in this fly fishing rod, they could only achieved this when the rod is perfectly made. As a result, you can count on a without any kind faults in its construction. As a result of providing rods with at a level of quality above what most of us imagine, Orvis is able to charge prices that meet the standard.

The 3F is made with an advanced, high-tensile form of graphite that provides not only strong construction and durability, but also helps prevent breakage. It comes with an aluminum tube to guards it while traveling, as is standard these days. On top of the strong construction, the unusually beautiful and unique design of the rod makes it eye-catching.

The rod has both titanium stripping guides and recoil snake guides. The titanium stripping guides are lightweight, which really don’t add to the weight of the rod. These guides can work with any kind of fly line, which makes them a great choice.

Orvis has eliminated the hook keeper from the design of the rod.  While this is a disadvantage for some anglers who like hook keepers, it is the trend. Aside from this only drawback, overall Helios is a great choice.

The product is a lightweight rod, with a full well grip for great handlingOverall it is one of the best high-end rods you can purchase for most types of waters and fishing conditions.

Action

Helios is a moderate action rod, with it’s a focus on accuracy.  Many times casting accuracy is the controlling factor in a successful day on the water, and the 3F with its finesse will put the line out with only a slight drop on the water, without spooking the fish.

Versatility

If you are looking for a versatile option, this flying fishing rod meets the challenge. The rod is not called a high-end rod  without reason. It has versatility offered with built-in quality.

This rod will work with many brands of fly fishing lines. This is due in no small part to the titanium stripping guides.   This means that for advanced fly anglers, changing the line doesn’t mean you need to change the rod.

Where the 3F’s versatility really shines, is the rod can be challenged with anything from throwing streamers and tiny dry flies to big foam flies and weighty large nymphs . It can literally handle everything you throw at it – or “with it” might be a more fitting way to say it.

Orvis states that the rod is also suited for all kinds of water, from deep lakes to small streams, take it anywhere you go.  We concur to a degree, though note that the stiffer 3D would fare better for regular use of sinking lines in deep water and swift currents.  Where the Helios 3F excels is it’s casting accuracy to about 40 feet, beyond which you can cast – albeit not as accurately – as it is not a fast action rod like the 3D.

Weight

If you put it in a weight test, you’ll quickly realize it’s a lightweight rod. This helps if you are spending a long day out in the water, during which casting can become a little difficult. . A long tiring day can even make a lightweight feather, feel like a ton, but this rod helps overcome that effect, as one of the lightest rods you can find with this level of durability.

Warranty

The warranty term can literally help guarantee the value of your rod.   A good warranty on any product will help maintain its value and give you some peace of mind after paying top dollar, by ensuring, . your hard earned money won’t wind up in the dumpster.

With that introduction, get this – Orvis provides a quarter-century guarantee for its product. Yes, you heard right, 25 years. Orvis will fix any kind of damage that happened to your rod, including manufacturer’s defect free of charge.  For accidental breakage  the company will fix or replace your rod for a small fee without any questions asked. This is the best offer you can get for a product this expensive in the market.

 

6. Video Review of Orvis Helios 3F Fly Rod

Usually we refrain from showing the manufacturer’s videos, which are usually promotional and don’t give you the full story we want you to have.  In this case, we are providing an Orvis video, because we feel it constructively discusses differences between their 3F and 3D designs for Helios.  In so doing, you get a good feeling for both rods, and in our opinion, a reasonably objective way without as much marketing hype as usual:

7. Wrap-Up

If you’re looking for a high-performance fly rod that excels at casting accuracy combined with touch and feel, the Orvis Helios 3F is a terrific choice.  It’s a high-end quality and price, versatile fly rod with a stunning design and quality construction.

Its hallmarks are a moderate action made with high-tensile, break resistant graphite, designed in a way so as to mitigate variables that affect casting precision.  It excels in the 30-50 foot casting range, with ability to cast longer as needed (if not without effort).

It is not a rod that is specifically designed for heavier weight lines (e.g. 9 = 12 weight) or consistent use for casting distances over 50 feet, or in high wind, powerful currents, or deep water situations on a routine basis.

If you’re looking to up your trout fishing game, with a focus on accurate casting, this will be a great selection.  Before you conclude this Orvis fly rod review, consider also the Orvis Helios 3F combo, which is a way to add value to this high end rod.

If you have comments on this Orvis review, please let us know by submitting comments .  When we review Orvis, we want to be aware of your thoughts and comments, so we can include them in future updates to provide the best Orvis rod review we can.  This is a top of the line Orvis fly rod, not just one of their average Orvis fly rods.  We will write many future Orvis reviews, to bring you the latest about the best Orvis fly rods, so tell us what you think!  We hope you’ve thoroughly enjoyed this Orvis Helios 3F review.