

The dual screw locks do a great job almost completely eliminating this from happening. And if you’re like me, that always seems to happen at the worst possible time.

A single screw lock means there’s a high probability that the reel can come loose while fishing. Although this is fairly standard on most fly rods nowadays, those other rods on the market that only have a single screw lock can create serious problems. The reel seat comes with the standard up-locking configuration where the locking mechanism pushes the reel upwards towards the tip of the rod.Īlso worth noting is the dual screw locks on the reel seat. This rod features a type III anodized aluminum midnight black reel seat with matte midnight carbon insert. To be honest I’m not blown away by the looks, but the design is adequate. Specifically, the US made high quality graphite blank comes in a matte midnight finish with either the black on white, or black on turquoise Orvis logo at the bottom end of the rod near the grip. The Orvis Helios 3D is a lightweight, yet sturdy rod that feels well-balanced on first inspection. Meanwhile the other half of the review will revolve around the value received, and whether the performance is worth the price tag. For the purposes of this review we’ll be looking at various levels of performance and quality of the product.

Whether or not that price tag is justified is a fairly subjective question that will change depending on the person you’re talking to (and the size of their bank account). The Helios 3D is the top-of-the-line rod from Orvis with high performance, but also a relatively high price tag. But if I told you that it was an Orvis rod, that would probably change things a bit. So if I told you that you could only own one fly rod for the rest of your life, and that rod was from some fly-by-night, no-name company you had never heard of, you would probably not be happy. Obviously their brand loyalty goes a long way. Many new fly fishermen eventually find their way to the Orvis website to learn various fishing techniques from the library of instructional videos with founder Tom Rosenbauer. Whether you’re chasing bonefish on the flats or casting streamers to the far bank, the Helios 3F offers the outstanding casting performance and responsiveness you need to land more fish.Generally speaking, Orvis has a great reputation that they’ve built over the years with the quality of their fly fishing products, and the trust that they’ve built with their customers. We’ve checked unbeatable accuracy and power off the list, but the H3F also delivers the finesse required to delicately drop a fly without spooking fish, and it has plenty of backbone to haul in the big fish of your dreams without flinching. The Helios 3F reduces the variables and harnesses the energy behind each cast for enhanced accuracy, so you can reach the far bank and drop a fly with precision every time. The difference in a couple of inches can make or break a catch. Hurling a fly across the water and hoping for a strike won’t win any trophies-it’s those accurate drops that bring in the real prize. Not only have we built a super lightweight rod in the Helios 3, but it also offers a crisp feel in hand for an unbeatable casting experience.
