Orvis Helios D 8’5″ 10-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 4 out of 5

   While this rod would unquestionably fish best with a short-headed line, I threw it with an SA Infinity Salt WF10 and was impressed by how smoothly it cast and the rod’s ability to hold up a long backcast in spite of its 8’5” length. Like the 7 & 8-weight, this #10 has a light tip and really stiff butt section, so it casts with a well-defined flex point in the middle of the rod. It is quick, stable, accurate, light and highly effective in the wind, a legitimate tarpon 10-weight and go-to stick for heavy permit and striped bass from the boat.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 4 out of 5

   This is a pretty interesting fly rod. Shorter 10wt rods are traditionally designed with mangrove fishing from the boat in mind. This rod is perfectly well suited for this application. It doesn’t have the raw power of a rod like the 8’4” 10wt Sector from Scott, but it has great feel which is nice if you’re fishing murky mangrove water. This would be an excellent rod for fishing down in the Everglades where the water is pretty dirty and the mangroves are dense. It would be hard to find a better backcountry tarpon rod out there. I would stick with either an SA Amplitude Tarpon WF10F or SA Grand Slam WF10F on this rod. It is a little too short to handle a line with a really long head.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   The Helios D 8510 is a cool rod, short and powerful without being clubby, providing the caster control off the tip with a WF10F line. Surprisingly smooth for a short 10 weight, the 8510 D gives you the sense of strength and empowerment through placement. It is not simply a load it and let it rip rod. It casts with control and incremental power as well as it shoots. I could tune it up easily, but I never felt like I had to tune the rod down. It was easy to stay in control. The 8510 pendulum casts like a champ and the short, stout lever gives the angler a lot of quick control to turn a fish. Big snook around structure and close quarters tarpon fishing come to mind. I bet this rod would find a welcome home as a boat rod for pulling on some mid-sized bluewater quarry also.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)