2 3/8 oz.9', 4-piece, Mid-Flex 6.5 fly rod for 5-wt. line.The Helios 905-4 is a big water fly rod that feels like a lightweight, small-stream rod in your hand. What is surprising is how powerful it is and how it booms casts across big rivers and handles large fish with ease. There is perhaps no greater example of the benefits of Helios technology than this rod. Spend a day on an Alaskan river or an Arkansas tailwater and you'll be sold. Everyone who has handled and fished this rod has fallen in love with the combination of near weightlessness, which suddenly turns to superior power when a big fish strikes. The Helios 905-4 Mid Flex is a must-have addition to any angler's arsenal.
Average Customer Rating:
5 out of 5
Rating Snapshot
(31 reviews)
5 stars
31
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
31 of 31 (100%) customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 1000 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
WOW! What else is there to say?,
November 14, 2009
By:
shifty2009from Hooper, Utah
"I bought this Rod when it first came out and the first thing that cought my eye is how absolutely beautiful it is. Than I got to cast it, and I must say it was Love at First Cast! This Rod makes casting with distance and precision seem effortless. ZG Helios is the lightest rod I have ever held! There's really nothing else to say but WOW! I HIGHLY recommend these Rods."
Review 2 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 500 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
Helios 5 weight,
November 10, 2009
By:
tfolarryfrom Germantown,Tn.
"My wife and I both have this rod and find it to be beautiful and wonderful to fish with. My brother in law says I can be proud to go to the river now. This is a great product that I would recommend to everybody. I love the color and the reel seat."
Review 3 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 50 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
Will Be Imitated, But Never Duplicated,
August 15, 2009
By:
MrPebblesfrom Roanoke, Va
"Is it just me; or does everyone else hear an angelic choir sing everytime you first pull the butt section out of the rod sock? The first part that I noticed about the rod was dang good it looked. As soon as I cast the rod, I realized the rod's significant power. By the second cast I realized the precision. The third cast ended with a test of its strength: me vs. the biggest smallmouth I have taken by a fly rod. The battle was brief, but intense. After about five minutes I was able to look at the smallmouth and think to myself "This rod will be imitated, but never duplicated"."
Review 4 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
Best Overall 5wt,
August 7, 2009
By:
tntroutfrom TN
"After casting nearly every hight end rod on the market and fishing with a few, I chose the 905 mid. z-axis may be slightly better for distance and heavier flies, more like tip flex helios, reel seets just arent very "secure" feeling. biix may have a sweeter feel and better at up close presentations but tip is easily overpowered and doesn't like to be driven. Glx is completely different rod but only in group that could compete with helios mid as best overall 5wt. I chose helios over GLX basically on coin flip, but have since actually gotten to fish with both. I don't regret my decision, I am personally more accurate with helios and distance is comparable. Bottom line helios just has a real nice damp but lively feel, great tippet protection, excellent reel seet, no need to switch to the 6wt on a windy day with hoppers on tirp outwest and no need to worry about 7x on tn tailwater trout, and the crush proof guides will save you a $50 dollar repair fee at least once or twice if you fish hard with your rods. Only weakness is close presentations, the mid flex is more of a cannon than its rating would suggest."
Review 5 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
Look no further for the best!!,
July 28, 2009
By:
Fishunterfrom Denver, CO
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Awesome dry fly day on the Green River withmy Helios. Wasn't tired a bit.
"I am very impressed with this rod. Tough - I have another high quality rod that's been repaired twice. Not my Helios. Not my baby. Tough as nails. Nimble - The best dry fly rod I ever casted. Even able to lay it down in the small pockets. Light - You diehard angler's like myself... It's a must when making 500 cast a day."
Review 6 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 25 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
FINEST 5WT. EVER MADE,
April 24, 2009
By:
ALLABOUTTROUTfrom EVERETT, WASHINGTON
"THIS IS REALLY AN EXCEPTIONAL ROD. IT CAN BE USED FOR VIRTUALLY ANY TROUT SITUATION IN THE WORLD. THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS ARE WHEN YOU NEED VERY SOFT PRESENTATIONS WITH A SHORTER, LIGHTER ROD OR POSSIBLY A LARGER ROD FOR EXTREMELY CHALLENGING CONDITIONS SUCH AS HIGH WINDS, OR PRESENTING LARGE FLIES AND RIGS DOWN DEEP, THEN YOU MIGHT NEED A HELIOS 906-4. BUT FOR 95% OF THE SITUATIONS, THIS ROD CAN DO IT ALL. IT IS HARD TO ELABORATE ABOUT IT, SINCE SO MANY PREVIOUS OWNERS HAVE ALREADY. WHAT CAN I SAY. I OWN 6 HELIOS AND I LOVE EVERY ONE OF THEM. I AM CONSIDERING GETTING THE 864-4 AND WOULD ORDER A 1 WT, IF ONE COMES AVAILABLE. ANYHOW, THIS 5 WT. IS INCREDIBLY LIGHT, ACCURATE, POWERFUL, AND HAS SO MUCH FEEL, THERE'S JUST NOTHING ELSE TO SAY...... BUY IT!"
Review 7 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 1000 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
Simply the best,
April 5, 2009
By:
revwfrom Grayson, GA
"There is no way to describe how well this rod casts. My 5 wt mid is the 'go to' in my trout fishing selection. You can spend thousands of dollars on 'near enough' rods and reels -- stop doing that. The Helios is simply the best flyrod. The proof of its worth comes from the first time you mend a line upstream with as little effort as a thought. The hookup is anticlimactic; it will change forever the way in which you flyfish."
Review 8 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
My Last Fly Rod,
March 31, 2009
By:
Dukfuzfrom Colorado Springs, CO
"I have been a fly fisherman for over 40 years, blessed by fishing many exotic locations from Tierra del Fuego to Kamchatka. Yet, my first love is fishing the tail waters and freestone rivers of the Rocky Mountain West, which is my home. Since my retirement, domestic tranquility has been sufficient enough to allow me to fish over 100 days a year. Through the years I have had the opportunity of fishing most of the fly rods made. Two years ago I had the great, good fortune of casting a ZG Helios nine foot five weight mid-flex rod at a local fishing show. It was love at first sight. It didn't take me long to save up and purchase that rod. We have been inseparable fishing companions ever since. My home waters are heavily fished and solid technique, patience, and stealth are requisite for success. My Helios gives me the power to master the somtimes viscious winds of the Rockies as well as to subdue the large spring rainbows and fall brown trout. My Helios is sensitive and precise enough to grant equal performance in fishing a midsummer Trico hatch. The mid-flex action superbly protects the 6X and 7X tippets which are required by those very selective trout. My Helios is not only the prettiest rod on the river, but its finish doesn't compromise a stealthy approach by flashing a telltale reflection. My bottom line is this: Going fishing without my Helios would be like leaving my faithful Lab at home when I go pheasant hunting."
Review 9 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
Strength and Beauty,
March 23, 2009
By:
MTFISHN
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The last afternoon of our weekend. My pup Duke, myself and my prized Helios.
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Just after the snow storm stopped.
"Ever since I was 12years old spring time in Montana has brought out the flyfisherman in me and I would say that with out a doubt last Spring was the most fishing I have done in years. My birthday just so happens to be early spring and since I had fished with almost all the same gear since I was twelve, my dad decided it was time for an upgrade. A week before my 25th birthday we meet up and went over to the local Orvis shop and spent an afternoon trading stories and hanging out with the local shop owner (a good friend named Dave). We decided to try out some of the rods and while we were debating the pros and cons of each rod, Dave said that the New Helios would blow them all out of the water, and sure enough it only took about 3 casts and I was hooked. Needless to say for my birthday I had a brand new Helios with a Battenkill reel, along with new ProGuide Waders and Wading Boots. Last Spring I felt like I couldn't get on the water enough to use my gear and I probably ended up fishing more days that most people fish in a year. On a trip that my friends and I refer to as "Annual Bachelor Party" I had an opportunity to showcase my new rod. The "Annual Bachelor Party" is a group of dedicated flyfisherman that trek to one of the best Rainbow spawns in the state and spend the weekend challenging each other to see who can catch the most fish. As with any Spring weekend in Montana any kind of weather can be expected and you had better be ready. When the wind began to howl and the snow was blowing, most of the other anglers on the water took refuge on the bank. My Helios had no problem casting into the gusting winds and the recoil guides made it so much easier to remove ice than traditional fixed ones. After the brief storm passed I didn't get to hold my rod for very long because all of my buddies wanted a turn with it! I wont be able to fish with another rod after using my Helios. I hope everyone has the opportunity to cast one of these rods and feel it's strength when fighting a prize trout."
Review 10 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 1000 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
My Pride & Joy,
March 12, 2009
By:
Imhookedfrom Seattle, WA
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"I’m lucky enough to spend about two days a week out on the water. I spend the rest of my time at work daydreaming about fish and trying to plan my next escape. The fact is most of us don’t get a chance to get out nearly as much as we would like. Whether you get out twice a year or twice a week, I think we all wish we had a little extra time. The point being, the time we get to spend on the water is so precious we all want to make sure we get the most out of it, and our equipment is a big part of that. When I first got my new Helios it was the middle of winter in Seattle. We had a rare snow storm that put about a foot of snow on the ground. I spent a good portion of that day standing in my back yard, calf deep in snow, casting my new pride and joy. The way this rod casts will put a smile on your face from ear to ear. I remember thinking to myself “If it’s this much fun to cast into snow I can’t imagine what it will be like to get a fish on”. Little did I know how right I was. It’s been about 6 months from that day and I have to admit, when I can’t get out to fish, I still spend the occasional afternoon in the backyard with my Helios. One of my favorite things about my Helios is that I can fish just about any water I want. I’ve fished everywhere from the salt of Puget Sound to mountain creeks in the Olympics with this rod and it excels under every circumstance. It has the strength to catch some bigger fish out in the salt as well as the precision to have a blast catching some mountain cutthroats. If you need a fly rod you can use for just about any occasion the Helios is second to none. It is hands down the best piece of fishing equipment I’ve ever owned. Nice work Orvis!"
Review 11 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 100 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
My fourth & Counting,
February 24, 2009
By:
DustyPages
"My fourth Helios rod was the 905-4 mid flex which is a great rod for stream nymph and streamer fishing for trout; however, the niche where I really enjoy using it , is lake fishing for Crappie. On those warm summer evenings on Northern Wisconsin lakes the Crappie tend to roam just below the surface looking for floating and hatching insects. They are like marauding bands, suddenly appearing and then just as quickly disappearing only to show up seconds or minutes later some where else. The casts to them have to be very quick, and soft; and most of the time, require distance. If the line or fly do not have a very soft, unobtrusive landing, the fish scatter. When this happens it takes a while for them to regroup and begin to take bugs off the surface again. Since this action takes place just before dark I need every cast to be "right on" to make the most of these limited opportunities. The true beauty of my 905-4 is it's ability to quickly generate the line speed I need to get my cast off, and the distance and accuracy I need in just one or possibly two back casts. At the same time, the fly has to hit its mark with out any disturbance. I have been doing this type of Crappie fishing for more years then I care to count. Of all the years I have fished this way, my most success came last summer using my 905-4 mid flex Helios. With my Helios, the speed, distance, accuracy, and finesse required came together so well that I had my most success ever. I have no doubt it was primarily due to my Helios, as my ability to cast has not improved anything like last summer's Crappie catch ( & release) rate."
Review 12 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 1000 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
Wow! What a rod!,
February 19, 2009
By:
RSquarefrom Cross Lanes, WV
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Feb 25, 2008 - Howard's Creek, Greenbrier County, WV "First Helios Catch"
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Feb 25, 2008 - Howard's Creek, Greenbrier County, WV "Helios handled this one perfectly!"
"Having retired two and one-half months previously, I was anxious to get in the water with my new ZG Helios 905-4 mid flex. The love of my life for nearly 50 years gave me the rod along with a Battenkill Large Arbor II Reel. On February 25, 2008 I stepped into Howard's Creek in Greenbrier County, WV ready to see how this rod would perform. My back was up against a 12' high stone wall, so roll casts were the only option. No problem - the rod handled them perfectly. I worked the hand-tied salmon egg in the riffle at the head of a large pool. Wham! Action on the third cast, and I do mean action! This rainbow decided to test its sprinting ability and ripped down stream. The slack line in my hand disappeared and the Battenkill Reel started screaming. I had no choice but to let the fish have her head, allowing the reel's drag to make it more difficult for this runner. Man! Did I have a fish on or what?!! Ms. Rainbow finally slowed and I could picture her gasping for oxygen. At the end of this spectacular first run, it was time to test the muscle of the Helios. It was no test! The rod performed beautifully, applying enough resistance to tire the fish and with more than enough strength to control the "play." And it only weighs 2-3/8 ounces! After several more runs (none as spectacular as the first) and fifteen minutes later, I netted this beauty and thus began my love affair with this wonderful rod. My brother was close enough to photograph the catch, so I have attached it hereto. Since then, I have caught hundreds of trout, many smaller and a few larger - my Helios has never disappointed me and remains the best rod I have ever handled. It is amazing how light and how powerful this rod is: roll casts, long casts, into the wind - it handles them all and is accurate in all situations. I can't imagine anyone improving on this perfect piece of equipment."
Review 13 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 250 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
February 17, 2009
By:
BKillfrom Upstate NY
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"The way this rod performs is just way, way too sexy."
Review 14 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
The Rod I Love,
February 17, 2009
By:
Pianoman1from Jefferson City, MO
"Wow! What a rod. Those were the words I told my wife when she asked me how I liked my new ZG Helios 905-4 Mid 6.5. Her first question was a familiar one to me, as well as probably many other fishermen. I know the rod and case is beautiful, but is it worth the price and if so why? I couldn't wait to tell her as I was getting out of my waders and warming up from a day of October fishing on Lake Taneycomo in Branson Missouri. This rod is like having a feather in your hand and after a long cold day of fishing it is amazing how much difference having a light weight rod can make on arm fatigue. The problem with most light weight rods is that you sacrifice power not only when fighting a large fish, but most importantly when casting into the wind. When you can get a lightweight rod that can handle the wind you have magic. Magic is exactly what you have with the new ZG Helios rods. If you could have only one rod this should be the rod. In the wind the Helios is powerful. Fighting fish even in current is a breeze. That weekend at Taneycomo I caught and released over sixty beautiful Rainbow Trout and my new ZG Helios performed all the tasks with ease. If you purchase a ZG Helios rod first, you won't need any others."
Review 15 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Top 250 Contributor
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
The flycatching stick!,
February 17, 2009
By:
LoneStaronaFlyfrom Crosby, Texas
"Helios contest: I grew up in southeast Texas where I could be on four lakes or the Gulf of Mexico bay system within two hours. My Dad always said a good outing was a "catching" trip not a fishing trip. With that in mind, my first trip to the lake with my new Helios 905-4 mid flex 6.5 rod was a day to always remember. Our target was crappie (white perch) and my "catching stick" was my new Helios. My first cast was met by a 2-1/2 lb bass, which this rod was incedible at landing. My second cast caught the first bass' brother, but about 20 feet further from the boat than I had ever cast in my life. My third cast finally landed a good sized crappie. This went on all morning with hits or catches on a large percentage of my casts, which yielded a 26 fish morning. After about three hours of this, my Son and my Dad were both begging to use my new Helios. I could be selfish just so long and let them both have turns at casting (and catching) with my new favorite rod. By the way, my son's first cast with my new Helios landed a pound and a half bass. So, my new Helios is now known by my entire family as "The Catching Stick"! I love this rod!!!"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 16 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
A Fantastic Start,
February 17, 2009
By:
thethumbfrom Lincoln, CA Retired
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FREEZING COLD AND LOVIN IT
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THE FISH ISN'T THE ONLY ONE HOOKED
"My first Orvis Rod- A fantastic gift from an old friend
The Reel a Battenkill Barstock - courtesy of my VISA CARD
The float tube -borrowed from another friend
The freezing cold experience- PRICELESS"
Review 17 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
February 17, 2009
By:
Dirkfrom Ketchum, ID
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In the picture, notice the 5-6 mid arbor and orvis waders too! I'm 'hooked' :-)
This customer did not provide a text review.
Review 18 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
Worth it's weight in gold,
February 9, 2009
By:
GerM
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"I recieved my ZG Helios 5 wt mid flex 6.5 for christmas and on seeing it i could not wait to take it out and wet a line. After what seeemed an eternity my first day out off the new year finally arrived. I could barely contain the excitment and anticption i felt waiting to cast the rod of my dreams for the very first time.The ZG proformed amazingly and exceeded my expectations .From the very first cast my confidence was boosted and as the day went on my casting ability had certainly improved. I was amazed by the ease at which the rod cast and how natural it felt in my hands, as if i had been using it for the 10 years i have been fly fishing. My ZG proformed so well that it netted me 15 fish on that very cold wintery day. I cannot speak highly enough of the Orvis ZG Helios and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rod that has outstanding proformance, style, quality and class. Every fly fisherman should have the chance to cast a ZG to experience it's quality and proformance for themselves. Words cannot do this rod justice."
Review 19 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
My best flyrod,
February 7, 2009
By:
orafn
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Slovenian grayling
"Great rod, my best rod untill now."
Review 20 for ZG Helios™ 905-4 Mid 6.5 Fly Rod
Overall Rating:
5
/ 5
Best Orvis Trout Rod, Hands Down!,
January 25, 2009
By:
Granite
"Today I took this rod out of the tube and cast it side by side with 2 other manufactures Top End new rods, both fast action 5wt. All I can say is that this rod beat all my expectations. I would say it's not the "casting barely farther than your leader" type rod, which I do a lot of, but it is a gun. I threw #22 midges into the wind, then I nymphed with 3 bb's and 2 weighted flies, then I threw on a full sink and started stripping as fast as I could. I landed trout from 12in. to 19in. I would say it's a little stouter than the flex rating leads you to believe(way faster than 2 10.0 Tip flex TLS rods I have) yet I'm very excited to own this rod, and more excited to start handing it to clients."
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