Orvis Helios D 10′ 4-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Possibly my favorite 10’ 4-weight, this rod makes light of an incredibly difficult design proposition: to build an extra-long, light line fly rod that flexes evenly and possesses enough stiffness in the butt section to support its plus length while still offering the temporal rewards of choosing a 4-weight over a #5 or #6. Several of my least favorite fly rods are 10’ 4-weights, but this rod is wonderful. Medium fast action with a progressive character, the Helios D 10’ 4-weight feels miraculously balanced at every casting distance. The secret is that the rod blank does all the work. There is just enough weight in the tip and tip mid to naturally load the rod by simply rocking it back and forth. Crisp but never stiff, lively but never loose, this polished fly rod offers power for casting all distances with elegant touch for detecting the most subtle strikes, whether on a long subsurface stillwater chironomid presentation or the most gentle pluck of a swung soft hackle.

   It was spectacular with an SA Trout Taper WF4 and I’m sure it will cast and fish any long-bellied line that is approximately true to line weight, including the full host of sinking lake lines.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   This is an excellent nymphing rod. Being a part of the D family, the 10’ 4wt is stiffer and designed to handle heavier flies and bigger water. In comparison to shorter Helios D rods, this rod definitely feels a little heavy, but it casts nice and light. Typically, with longer rods you have to adjust your stroke and slow everything down; this rod creates an impressive amount of line speed and you can get away with a more traditional casting cadence. I was impressed with the loop shape this rod is capable of creating. With long rods it can be hard to form a tight loop to drive flies into the wind, but with this rod you can form a nice tight loop. I cast the SA Amplitude Trout WF4F line on this rod and it was a great match. With the lighter line the rod stiffens up a shade and is more performance driven.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   A fun and engaging 4wt for its class, I found the rod to be medium to medium fast. This rod is a great mending tool without feeling out of place with its weight in hand. It’s a rod will find its home swinging bugs in medium water flows or still water. I cast the SA Trout line and believe the pair complemented each other nicely giving the blank an even and progressive flex profile. If you like a deeper feel and connection to your bugs for soft trout eats, then give this rod consideration.

   Wes Yarnell (Telluride Angler)

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   The Helios D 104 is a step up in power and substance from the Helios F 103 and the more appropriate rod for fishing larger nymph rigs and big water. In my mind, the Helios F 311 is the Euro nymph rod of the lot, although all the light line Helios 10-footers are capable of Euro-style techniques. The Helios D 104 is powerful and exact in the hand. The same long stable butt section sensation I get in the Helios D 9-foot rods is exagerated in the 10-footers, which hold the line up in the air with a commanding feeling. That same long and strong but easily accessible bottom end makes this rod a powerfully performing water-based caster. Single Spey and long roll casts are built into the DNA of the Helios D 104. Control over the loop shape is something to note as well. Wide level power wedges and V Loop lasers were cast down range readily and interchangeably. 10-foot rod aficionados will appreciate this rod for its control and matter of fact purposeful performance. I miss a small fighting butt on this model, but that is merely personal preference.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)