Orvis Helios D 9′ 12-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 3 out of 5

   With an SA Tarpon Taper, this rod loads easily and casts from the center of the rod. It wobbles a little with the whole line head in the air and lacks confidence for an aggressive shot in the wind, but I noticed that it tightens up and regains stability when I apply a double haul for the final presentation. So, it casts pretty well but feels a little weird. Overall, I would qualify this model as “easy casting,” but probably not elite in lifting power or line speed, especially in the hands of an advanced caster who fishes a 12-weight when conditions are slipping away from feasibility for the fly angler.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   This is an incredibly easy casting rod. It’s maybe not the rod I would reach for if I was chasing big GT in the Seychelles (where you want the absolute stiffest and most durable rod), but it is a great tarpon 12 for the guy that prefers a 12 over a 10 or 11. 12wt rods are traditionally kind of a pain to throw and can get heavy on longer days, the Helios D 12wt is an exception. It is a rod that most people will cast well and won’t tire you our like some others will. I threw this rod with the SA Amplitude Tarpon WF12F and it was a great pairing.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 4 out of 5

   Castable and relatively easy given the inherent weight of a WF12F line, I found that to be the leading attribute of the Helios D 9012. It is a 12-weight that won’t kick your ass, but is certainly willing to kick a fish’s. I personally want a 12-weight that is a little meaner and more resistant to being strongly loaded. In my mind, a 12-weight is not a casting rod, it is a pulling rod built for fighting fish. The caster’s big rod is an 11-weight. I got the best performance out the Helios D 912 when I sat back and applied smooth and even power. Letting the rod cast a bit seemed to be better for me, when I tried to apply more power too quickly the line speed would come out uncontrolled with erratic delivery.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)