Orvis Helios D 9′ 10-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   The Helios D 9’ 10wt from Orvis is everything I look for in a tarpon 10wt. It is nice and light in hand which makes a huge difference when you’re on the bow for long days in the sun. The rod itself casts beautiful loops and loads almost immediately in close. I was very impressed by the overall accuracy, stability, and castability of this rod. This is a 10wt that virtually everybody will cast well and is remarkably smooth at all distances. I’ve played around with the Rio Elite Tarpon WF10F on this rod and was pleased to see how the blank handled the slightly heavier line. If you want to stiffen the rod up a bit and throw tighter loops, consider the SA Amplitude Tarpon WF10F line.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   This is a 10 weight that you ought to consider. First impressions of the Helios D 9’ 10 weight were lightness in the hand and ease of casting. Right away the 10 weight formed loops and did not have that inherent hollow lag most big rods have until you get enough line out of the tip. I formed loops with the leader, and you could feel the rod increase its level of engagement with the line as you gave it more. Once that easy energy is achieved, the 10 weight has true rocket launcher line speed with a penchant for laser loops. There is a tremendous amount of easily accessible power in this blank. A Rio Elite Tarpon WF10F was just right on there and is tailor made for its namesake quarry, but I would reach for this line as a big permit option as well. This is a 10 weight with a lot of touch and finesse that also has bottom end strength and high, high line speed capabilities. A 10 weight that can rip out blind casts to the horizon in search mode and place it in a teacup when you’re playing the spot and stalk game, this is one hell of a fly rod.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   I cast this rod with a Rio Elite Tarpon WF10, which has a heavier head with more abrupt taper changes than many other tarpon lines. The rod casts it beautifully, loading and generating line speed even before the whole head is aerialized. It is great on the short shot, turning over the leader and fly effortlessly yet deliberately even when casting just off the tip. We expect this from 4-weight trout rods, but it’s a major benefit for high line class saltwater rods, too, because so many shots come at short range, especially in windy conditions or when visibility is impaired by dark bottoms, cloud cover or chop. The rod flexes progressively, engaging the line effectively at every casting distance and shooting over the horizon with tremendous power. Accuracy, efficiency and feedback to the caster are superb. Without feeling heavy or clubby, this rod fishes high in its line class, an excellent choice for striped bass, tarpon, large permit, roosterfish and king salmon.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)