Orvis's New Fly Rod Is Made in the U.S. and Promises Greater Accuracy

For many fly fishers, Orvis rods are a time-tested standby. The Vermont brand has been around since 1856, and it's safe to say that anglers around the world have grown up fishing Orvis rods, flies, and all sorts of fishing gear and knowledge. From the classic fiberglass Superfine series to the brand's trademark Helios collection, Orvis rods can be found around the world from the tropical flats to small high-mountain trout streams. Their new Helios 4 rod should have anglers excited.

Orvis first launched the Helios series in 2007, putting a lighter, stronger, and more accurate rod in the hands of both freshwater and saltwater anglers. The company followed suit in 2013 with the introduction of the Helios 2 (fondly referred to as the "H2"), bettering an already-quality offering. Six years later in 2018 the Helios 3 (H3) came along. With each iteration, the Helios series made both technical and cosmetic improvements, and the market responded. Each new model continues to be well-received by fly anglers.

Now, six years since the launch of the Helios 3, Orvis has launched the newest member of the Helios family into the world: the Helios. (Technically, it's the fourth iteration of an Orvis Helios rod and, while many in the industry are calling it the "Helios 4," the company has chosen to market it simply as the "Helios.") Here's everything to know about the new, popular fly rod.

What Makes the New Helios Different

A key word around the Orvis Helios 4 launch has been "accurate." The rod's marketing tagline is "It's Where Accuracy Comes Alive," and Orvis touts the rod as being proven four times more accurate than its predecessor, the H3. We'll dive into the "how" of this more below.

Orvis also markets the Helios as being 25% more durable than the H3 in breakage testing, and that the rod has a 10% lighter swing weight than its big brother the H3.

Sounds fancy, right? Maybe even over-engineered? It's a sentiment Orvis is not shying away from, and is even leaning into. According to the brand, "Over-engineered is an understatement. For Orvis rod designers, 'over-engineered' is no dig; it's a recognition that Helios performs far beyond the normal limits of a fly rod. Our mission to raise the world standard for accuracy comes with a commitment that every performance characteristic and component of the all-new Helios exceeds expectations."

Orvis's Take on Ultimate Accuracy

The Helios 3 is a pretty accurate rod. I've fished H3s around the world to fish big and small, and usually when the fly doesn't get where I want it to, it's my fault. So the claims of "four times more accuracy" on the Helios are intriguing. Orvis sought to bring even more finesse to this rod by focusing on one of the main reasons for lack of precision casting (besides the angler themselves): tip displacement. Here's how Orvis describes the challenge, and their solution:

"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. 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."

A Look at the New Helios Fly Rod's Durability

Anyone who has ever hooked into a good-sized fish—especially a large saltwater fish—knows the importance of durability. Orvis analyzed decades of rod-building data and taper strategy as they built the new rod, subjecting rods to breakage tests over and over again until they were content the Helios brings a new level of durability to the fly rod market.

Orvis notes, "With more bend and backbone, the all-new Helios is 25% stronger, far surpassing previous generations and the competition, pushing the boundaries of durability. That increased travel distance means more lifting power when a fish runs under the boat or thrashes at the net. Fight those last moments with confidence. The road to unparalleled durability is paved with broken prototypes. Our rod designers break prototypes until we are confident fish can't."

10% Lighter Swing Weight

Sometimes the idea of a lighter rod seems like it would contrast with increased durability. Heavier things are stronger, right? Well, not always. Swing weight is the perceived wight of the rod in your hand during the cast. Note that rods will feel different to each person, and different reels will balance each rod a little differently as well. But Orvis lightened up the new Helios's swing weight 10% compared to the H3 (which already felt comfortably light in-hand), helping ensure anglers can cast all day with minimal fatigue and creating a crisp feel.

Initial Cosmetic Impressions

The new Orvis Helios 4 arrives in a crisp white aluminum rod rube, with clean aesthetics that won't draw too much attention when traversing on airport en route to your next destination fishing trip. The matte black blank is nicely neutral, with white Orvis branding along the lower butt section, which some might find a bit obtrusive, but fits the branding of the Helios 3. Big game models feature a black aluminum reel seat, while small game models have an elegant, burled hardwood reel seat. Titanium stripping guides should hold up to many years of hard use. In all, the rod feels light in hand and has the precision finish we've come to expect from Orvis rods.

Rod Offerings and Price Points

The new Orvis Helios 4 rods are made in the company's Manchester, Vermont, rod factory, right here in the United States. Starting February 7, 2024, the new Helios models are available through Orvis as well as independent fly shops who carry the brand.

Both freshwater and saltwater anglers can find a Helios that suits their needs. The rods come in both "Helios D" and "Helios F" categories; think "D" for distance and "F" for finesse. According to Orvis, the Helios D series offers increased line speed, lifting power, and a deep reserve of stored energy, while the Helios F series offers increased sensitivity, optimized for delicate presentations and tippet protection. The rods come in 29 different models, from a 7'6" 2-weight perfect for small-stream trout fishing to a burly 8'5" 14-weight for sailfish and offshore species. Safe to say, there's something for pretty much every fly angler on pretty much any water.

For six years now, the Helios 3 has been a key tool for anglers both on their home waters and in exotic fisheries around the world. The fly-fishing industry has been anticipating this new release from Orvis for some time, and we're excited to see the 168-year-old brand continue to grow and push the boundaries of performance rod making. The rods look promising, and we'll see how they perform once they've in the field hauling in a big tarpon.

READ MORE: The Best New Fly Rods of 2024