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Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
3 1/2 oz. 9', 4-piece, Tip-Flex fly rod for 10-wt. line.We set out on an adventure to make the world's lightest fly fishing rod. Along the way, we also made the world's best.The new patent pending Helios travel fly rod is so far ahead of all other fly rods it skips generations in how a fly rod should feel, cast, and fish. It is so sublimely light, incredibly responsive, deadly accurate, and just plain easy and enjoyable to cast that to compare it to other graphite rods is like comparing graphite to bamboo. There is no comparison. The Helios is that good. And everyone is noticing. Powerful, fast-action tip-flex travel fly rod for permit and baby tarpon. Carries right onto plane. Ice cleans out of Recoil guides quickly and easily. A real plus when steelheading or trout fishing in cold conditions.
Average Customer Rating:
Rating Snapshot (11 reviews)
5 stars
11
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
11 of 11(100%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Review 1 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
best saltwater rod,
April 8, 2011
By: axemicksam
Good Value:
5
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
5
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
"three weeks into a month holiday in Xcalak Mexico Ive had some fabulous fishing ,this 10 weight rod along with my new Mirage reel have performed flawlessly handling permit with total power . I was surprised how little effort I required to toss wind resistant flies throughout the day under some brutal wind conditions ,Im totally satisfied this is one sweet package"
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Review 2 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
Helio's /Hydros rods,
November 10, 2010
By: SilverKing90
from Miami, Florida
Good Value:
5
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
5
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"I purchased a Helios's 10wt earlier this year 2010. Within two hours of receiving it I had a night charter for tarpon. My client caught two fish on it! I believe a record for UPS "Truck To Tarpon".
One of the things that I love about the Helios is the flexible eye's. When putting rods in and out of the rod holders under the gunnel of my boat odd angles can occur due to the confined spaces (especially on side consul boats ) and with many rods I have owned in the past the eyes get damaged or come loose during this process..
The Helios is a very light weight rod and is crisp to cast with lots of back-bone. I haven't had a complaint yet about the casting ability of the rod but a few are surprised that Orvis makes a saltwater rod series, they know it for their freshwater rods.
Fit form and finish is excellent and the cork is high grade as well as the reel seat and the cork butt is wide which I like even on smaller weight rods.
The rod tube is "over the top" light in weight, beautiful and the painted dots on the rod help align the pieces.
The reel seat is sharp looking, light and the extra wide locking nuts make it really easy to secure and loosen the reel as needed unlike other high end rods with small lock nuts.
The rod thread pattern is sharp and looks like a custom rod.
The rod thread pattern is sharp and looks like a custom rod.
I have since sold all all my other brand named rod's except two 9wt's (they are for sale as of today) and one 8wt). I got tired of paying all the breakage fee's and some send tip's or other sections not a rod and I never know when the rod will get back from warranty repair. Orvis will send you an e-mail on tracking.
With Orvis its send the rod back and they take care of it "no questions asked" and no repair fee's and a rod will be back at your house in a few days, over the top customer service and these rods are made in the U.S.A.
I have now over 12 Helio's and Hydro's rods and its growing, I like having consolidation and not five brand names to contend with just my personal thing.
The only complaint is that I wish a rod sock came with each rod since many times I hike with them when on vacation and leave the tube in the car.
I have now over 12 Helio's and Hydro's rods and its growing, I like having consolidation and not five brand names to contend with just my personal thing.
The only complaint is that I wish a rod sock came with each rod since many times I hike with them when on vacation and leave the tube in the car.
Also bought 3 Clearwater II rods 3wt/4wt/5wt and used them in Yellowstone in Oct, worth the money hands down great casting rod."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
Performed perfectly,
July 13, 2009
By: dwbauer77
from Livermore, California
Good Value:
4
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
5
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"I was some what skeptical about the ability of this rod handling large king salmon due to it's light weight, but not any more. I just returned from a week in Alaska on a remote float trip with Brightwater Alaska, (a first class operation). On the first hole we fish for kings I hooked into a 25-30# buck that took me into my backing many times. Throughout the battle I was able to put a tremendous amount of pressure on the fish with my Helios 10WT rod and LA Battenkill reel. I was able bring the fish out of the fast water in order to land it which surprised me, as I thought there was no way I could get enough pressure with out breaking the rod to turn the buck. This rod is the "KING".
I caught many more bruts throughout the trip and my Helios rod and Battenkill reel performed flawlessly. I can't say the same for another member of our party who's reel burned up it's drag. Thanks for the great products.
Dave B."
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Review 4 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
Best fly rod ever made,
June 3, 2009
By: Matu
Good Value:
4
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
5
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
"This rod is lightest rod I've ever held. It has a perfect balance with the BLA V reel which is another great piece of equipment made by orvis. Very easy rod to cast but, if you have a rod that you're used to and is much heavier the helios takes a few cast to get used to. If you surf fish you'll have no problem getting the distance you need to reach those monster stripers. If you love the sport you have to get this rod!"
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Review 5 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
helios contest,
March 29, 2009
By: CATCHANDRELEASE
from Rocky Mountain West
Good Value:
4
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
4
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"Fortunately, I received my Helios 10 weight the day before I left for Costa Rica. I had planned to target rooster fish inshore for half a day, due to arriving on the Osa penninsula earlier that morning.
Once out on the water, reports form other boats started pouring in about the number of sailfish coming up into the spreads. As I had only rigged my new Helios 10 weight for that afternoon, I decided to actually put it to the test and see how the rod would fair against pelagic saltwater fish..... BIG saltwater fish.
Many of the reviews I have read regarding the Helios rods, often depict the ability to cast tremendous distances. What seldom is mentioned is the performance of the rod when put to the test with a magnificent specimen on the other end.
Let me say that the fighting power and lifting strength of my 10 weight Helios, combined with it's incredible light weight is unparalleled.
Those saltwater enthusiast that have had an opportunity to feel a 250 yard blistering run, with a dozen acrobatic stunts intertwined, know the essential value of owning top quality gear.
Rest assured, the 10 - 12 weight offerings of the new saltwater Helios rods will not disappoint.
Rest assured, the 10 - 12 weight offerings of the new saltwater Helios rods will not disappoint.
I have attached a photo of a 125 pound Pacific Sailfish I landed and released with my Helios."
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
Unbeleivable; Helios # 6!,
March 11, 2009
By: DustyPages
Good Value:
4
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
4
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
"Fifteen months ago I purchased my first Helios. If someone had said then, "within fifteen months you will have six Helios rods", my response would have been, "No Way"! Well, what I have come to discover is, where there is a will, there is a "Way". With each Helios I purchased, I had two or three other rods I no longer cared to use. Since I preferred the Helios, I began selling the others, and then purchased more Helios rods. I saved, had birthday and Christmas gifts "ear marked" for my Helios Fund, and I focused on my goal - my next Helios purchase.
Recently our local Orvis store sponsored a seminar on Musky fishing. Prior to that seminar I had cast the 910-4 a couple of times. Like all my other Helios rods, it was just so impressive. I knew someday I would add the 910-4 Helios to my collection. But after the seminar, I was so pumped to fish Musky that I just had to have the 910-4 now.
Our snow is almost gone and I have been casting in the back yard. Imagine, a 10 wt. rod that feels like a 7 or 8 wt. The fly line roles out so beautifully and with such ease. Because of the lightness of the 910-4, I can also see myself using if for Largemouth Bass. The 910-4 easily handles both the large air resistant poppers as well as the heavy-when-wet flies made with deer hair heads and magnum bunny strip legs and tails. I have some inch and a half diameter poppers with bunny strip tails that I have always had difficulty casting, and the Helios 910-4 lays them out sixty feet with no problem.
I hope Orvis does not come out with a 903.4 #7 mid flex or a Freshwater 907-4 #8 mid flex too soon, because I am down to my last three or four non-Helios rods to sell, and Christmas is a long way off. Boy, I surely would have to have those rods if they existed. Some say I have a Helios addiction. Well, there are a lot of casts made in a day of fishing. It only makes sense to fish with the best performing fly rod available to insure your time on the water is the most enjoyable it can be - fish or no fish."
Recently our local Orvis store sponsored a seminar on Musky fishing. Prior to that seminar I had cast the 910-4 a couple of times. Like all my other Helios rods, it was just so impressive. I knew someday I would add the 910-4 Helios to my collection. But after the seminar, I was so pumped to fish Musky that I just had to have the 910-4 now.
Our snow is almost gone and I have been casting in the back yard. Imagine, a 10 wt. rod that feels like a 7 or 8 wt. The fly line roles out so beautifully and with such ease. Because of the lightness of the 910-4, I can also see myself using if for Largemouth Bass. The 910-4 easily handles both the large air resistant poppers as well as the heavy-when-wet flies made with deer hair heads and magnum bunny strip legs and tails. I have some inch and a half diameter poppers with bunny strip tails that I have always had difficulty casting, and the Helios 910-4 lays them out sixty feet with no problem.
I hope Orvis does not come out with a 903.4 #7 mid flex or a Freshwater 907-4 #8 mid flex too soon, because I am down to my last three or four non-Helios rods to sell, and Christmas is a long way off. Boy, I surely would have to have those rods if they existed. Some say I have a Helios addiction. Well, there are a lot of casts made in a day of fishing. It only makes sense to fish with the best performing fly rod available to insure your time on the water is the most enjoyable it can be - fish or no fish."
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Review 7 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
Long Quest Leads to Love Affair,
February 27, 2009
By: flyman333
from Palm Harbor, FL
Good Value:
4
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
5
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"The lights of Buenos Aires became visible as the big jet descended. I was here to fly fish the world's largest freshwater Dorado at LaZona on the Uruguay River. My new Helios fly rods in the overhead compartment, added to my excitement.
I am 71 and have fly fished 60 years, still active in fresh and salt waters throughout the world. In my quest for the lightest, stiffest big water fly rods, I became a rod builder in 1972. In 1998 I built a 2 piece #10 on a Loomis GLX blank using lightweight components. It weighed 3.76 oz. This rod is very fast and stiff, good for casting large poppers and heavy streamers. It is the lightest #10 I had ever cast, and my favorite.
After reading the Helios ads, I immediately ordered the #9. It weighs 3.20 oz! Testing it with various lines and flies, I was like wow! I now have the #10, also. I love these rods. The #10 weighs 3.36 oz! Amazing! Orvis has beaten my favorite #10's weight by 0.4oz.
This, my third trip to LaZona was the best.I fly fished only, using the two Helios rods. Many Dorado were caught and released by our four man group, with the largest being 47 pounds. I had a good number in the 30's, and a 28 on a popper. Lightweight, stiff, and strong, the 4 piece Helios 9 and 10 performed superbly. To further reduce weight, I used the IV and V Battenkill Large Arbor reels - very lightweight, having excellent capacity and drags. My old, aching elbow and shoulder thank Orvis, especially after blind casting all day."
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Review 8 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
The Worlds Best 10wt,
February 23, 2009
By: HeliosFan
from Sun Valley,Ca
Good Value:
5
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
5
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"I was at an opening for a new shop here in California and Hutch Hutchinson was there with some of the new Helios rods. I had heard good things about these rods but had not casted any of them yet. All I can say is HOLY COW!! I instantly fell in love. I spent the next 2 weeks selling off my conventional gear that I was no longer using so I could get one. There is nothing else that can even come close to competing with these rods, And trust me on that one of my favorite things to do is go around to flyshops and cast as many different rods as possible.Since I bought my 10wt Helios I have used it here in SoCal from the beach for Leopard Sharks and Halibut off shore for Bonito and Calico Bass in the Kelp in Montauk NY for Stripers,Bluefish and False Albacore and every time I just want to fish with my favorite rod. I actually find myself making excuses for why I am not using any of the other dozen or so rods that I own! The lightness both in the hand and actual weight is amazing even when I am Throwing a 400 grain shooting head. In Montauk I fished this rod nearly exclusively for 5 full days and never experienced any arm fatigue. Try that with the other stuff on the market! You would drive yourself to insanity trying to find anything thats a better fishfighting tool as well wether it's Striped Bass in the East Coast surf or big strong and mean Calico Bass and Bonito making a beeline for the kelp jungle. This rod makes all the others scream for mercy."
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Review 9 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
10WT POWER,
February 20, 2009
By: WETDOG
from SO. CALIF.
Good Value:
5
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
5
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
"LIGHTEST, MOST POWERFUL 10WT BUILT TODAY. THIS ROD IS A POWERHOUSE THAT IS A PLEASURE TO CAST BIG HEAVY FLYS AND HANDLE LARGE FISH ON AN ALL DAY EVENT. JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THESE GOLDEN DORADO FROM LA ZONA, ARGENTINA"
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Review 10 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
Wow - Cast like a Pro even as a beginner,
September 4, 2008
By: Abdullah
from Muscat, Oman
"Orvis Houston Fly Fishing Manager "Marcos Enriquez" sold me the Frequent Flyer rod and it outperformed all expectations. Now he sales me the Helios 10 weight and he has spoilt me for life. This rod is pure power pure fun. I shocked my wife last weekend when I did an effortless cast and finished all the fly line all the way to the backing. That is 100 feet clean. What is amazing is that I am new in fly fishing. Look at the video link to see how bad of a casting I used to do before the move to Orvis and lessons from Marcos. Marcos also gave me fly casting lessons while I visited the Houston Orvis store."
Video Review:
This is me before the Helios and the lessons from Marcos
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for Helios™ 10-weight 9' Fly Rod—Tip Flex
Overall Rating:
Light as a feather!,
February 2, 2008
By: JATSTANIC
from Derbyshire, England
"Used this rod a month or so back and it is just awesome. Cast and used plenty of #10's in the past but none of them have felt anything like this! So light and powerful, loads of feeling at short and long range (and I do mean LONG range!) Casts and feels like a #6 but will throw to the horizon! As close to perfection as you can get in a 10 weight!"
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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