some_guy5's Full Review: Orvis ZG Helios 906-4 Fly Rod
Celebrating our tenth anniversary this year my wife and I decided something special was in order in the way of gifts. So when I got to choose something expensive and impractical I chose the Orvis Zero Gravity Helios. Every time I consider new equipment I promise myself it won't be Orvis, because almost everything I own is Orvis, and yet somehow that is what I end up with. This time Orvis let me know about a special where you get to choose a free reel with your Helios purchase and that was all it took. All said, it really is a brilliant rod.
Description, Technology and Features Orvis has a lot of reasons as to why this is such a brilliant rod and I'd like to get them out of the way first before I talk about my own experience. Orvis has found a way to make the rod almost impossibly light while still delivering strength and good action. They claim this is from "thermoplastic, thermoset resins from tip to butt". Even after reading their article about those things, I really don't get it. I think the gist is, they have used technology and creative thinking to deliver a rod that weighs (if you can believe this) only 2.5 ounces but is still quite strong (the strongest on the market according to Orvis).
While the lack of weight is the most astounding feature you can list there are some other things about the Orvis ZG Helios I should mention in the interest of the thorough review. The reel seat is made from woven graphite and gold. The handle is made of the "highest grade cork". The finish is a translucent olive, which seems pretty standard to other rods I have owned or seen. The Helios also features a titanium frame stripping guide with NanoLite® ceramic insert. As a nice accessory to your Helios, Orvis provides a woven-graphite rod tube. While probably the least important feature the rod tube is very nice.
Personal Experience My rod is a 9 foot, 6 weight . That is what I will be referring to throughout as I talk about personal experience. I wish I could say I have brought in some whopper fish and really put the rod through its paces, but I haven't been that good/lucky yet. However, I have made many, many casts with the rod and I have been able to bring in many small fish that were quite frankly unworthy of the rod. The first thing is after casting all day my shoulder did not hurt. The light weight made a huge difference. This may not seem like a big deal, but it was to me. Not wearing out means better casting all day long. As far as the rod's ability to present flies, A+. I was able to cast longer and more accurately than I ever have before, that is casting both nymphs and dry flies. The transference of power (not sure if I made that up) is very effective, meaning that the energy from my cast is moved nicely to the tip of the rod. I can attest the sensitivity and feel of the Helios, although perhaps not in the way they envisioned. On my last fishing trip (the one in which I used the Helios) I caught numerous little fish. Some of them were very, very small. While it wasn't a ton of fun to bring those in on a 6 weight rod, I was able to feel the strikes and the tiny fish on the other end.
Value I think very highly of the Orvis ZG Helios, but you pay for what you get. I paid about $800 with tax. In my world, that is sort of a tenth anniversary level of frivolity. In short, it is a wonderful rod, but that is a gigantic price tag. I can't say that you will catch more and bigger fish than with a $150 rod. Most of it is probably down to the fisherman (fisherperson if that is a word). This is an amazing rod if you have the means, but not really a value play.
Conclusion While I have yet to bring in a fish worthy of the rod I do love it. The light weight and good casting features have been enough to make me a believer. Doing anything a thousand times or so can make your joints sore but that was not the case after casting with the Helios all day. I will update after I bring a good fish, but the Helios has delivered on every promise it has made me so far. The casting is exceptional, the light weight is jaw-dropping, and I can feel even tiny fish on the other end of my six weight rod. I recommend it, but only to those not on a tight budget.
2 1/2 oz. 9', 4-piece, Tip FW 9.5 fly rod for 6-wt. line. We set out on an adventure to make the world's lightest fly fishing rod. Along the way, w...More at Orvis
2 3/4 oz. 9', 4-piece, Tip SW 9.5 fly rod for 6-wt. line. We set out on an adventure to make the world's lightest fly fishing rod. Along the way, ...More at Orvis
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