Making the Helios plunge.......... question

[clinch_flyer]

Hey guys, new to the board, but figure I will jump right in.....

I consider myself a mediocre flyfisherman but I have decided to invest in a "hopefully" lifetime purchase of a Helios fly rod.

My question is, I want to get the perfect rod to handle most all my fishing. I spend most of my time above the weir dam at the Clinch with the water off, a little time in the smokies and,  I would like to start (with my late boat purchase) an occasional  bass fishing trip.

I am thinking a 9' 6wt. mainly to get the distance at the clinch  but maybe keep a spool of 5wt for a little more delicate presentation.

I am thinking of a Lamson LS2 or maybe a Force if I can scrape up enough cash.


Anybody have ideas or suggestions??

[grumpy]

TIP FLEX, i got a mid flex 4 weight, it won't handle all conditions equally, it will handle them, just not equally.
You'll be OK with a mid if you primarily fish dries, midges or soft hackles, if you want weight, the mid will cut your casting range down, then again, a 40' cast isn't bad, i just prefer to cast further than that sometimes.
Even with a 6 weight where the line is heavier, i don't think the mid would suit"MY" needs, i've cast the tip flex for so many years, it's just natural. I've only had the Helios out one time, maybe this isn't a fair report for the rod, i may try it tomorrow for a few hours & see if i feel differently about it.
I have a T3 &Zero Gravity in tip flex that will do it all, if the 4 weight Helios ever comes out in a Tip Flex, i'll have it & be 

Grumpy

[MikeA]

Welcome to the board!
I haven't ever cast a helious so sorry I can't be of much help there. If it were me I might go with a cheaper rod and get a couple. I can't imagine being limited to just one rod.

[clinch_flyer]

Thanks for the replies,

I actually have a Cortland 8ft 4wt I started with and a March Brown 6ft 3wt I usually use in the Smokies.

I just feel like I am ready to move into a better rod  pretty much want to get the best I can. from all the reviews and throwing one locally, it seems to be the one. Do you have other recommendations.


Also, I have mid flex rods, if I move up to a tip flex will it allow me to cast further once I get used to it?

[grumpy]

Thanks for the replies,



Also, I have mid flex rods, if I move up to a tip flex will it allow me to cast further once I get used to it?

That's in the arm of the caster , i know some folks that can punch a mid as far as i can a tip, i do believe the tip will handle the heavier stuff much better, the next person may feel different about it.

Grumpy

[dleo6446]

That tip flex ZG and the flex tip Helios cast differently in my opinion,, I think the Helios is not quite as fast and maybe more sensitive than the ZG...just from a casting point of view.  When the rep had all those new Helios rods here, I thought the 3 wt, the 9' 5wt tip flex, and the 8 wt would be a salvation for the Orvis line.  As far as casting further, with either of the rods...lots of considerations. the caster the rod but the main ingredient is the line.    Of course, the 9'5 wt is a lot different rod in any name than is the 8' 4 wt, or the March Brown, both of which are good rods.  You may not need to step all the way up to the Helios to get what you are looking for.  my personal preference in the Orvis line is the T3, 9' 5 wt, tip flex...good speed, not so stiff that you pull the nymph out of the fish's mouth, and all the backbone of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (well, at least one of Grumpys Veloceraptors anyway).

[Steve H]

Welcome to the board and we are glad to have you.

Haven't cast or touched a Helios so I can't advise but there is some good advice from others.

[clinch_flyer]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I spent the day rod shopping her in the area, I hit Little River Outfitters, Smoky Mountain Anglers, Orvis, Bass Pro, and The Creel.

I tried a z axis, a T3, a Loomis GLX, a Winston Vapor, a zero gravity and the Helios.  Had a great time playing with all the types of rods and got a good feel for what each offered.

I ended up with the 9ft 6wt mid flex Helios paired with a Lamson LS2 reel, and SA GPX line.

The Creel gave me an excellent deal on this setup now I just have to wait for the rod to come in....


Thanks again for all the opinions

[Steve H]

 

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[clinch_flyer]

Brother as soon as I pick it up, there will be more pics than you will want to see.

[Steve H]

  Can't wait to see them. I am sure you are like a proud father waiting on the birth if his child.

[clinch_flyer]

So I get a call from the Creel and they arent sure when my Helios will be in, maybe another 2 weeks. So I am pissed right?


He then proceeds to tell me that his rep found out and is bringing a demo rod of the same weight for me to use until I get my new one....



Now that is service.....

[grumpy]

That's cool, i put a  lighter 4 weight line on the Helios last Sunday & had a blast with it, even in all the wind. It handled the nymph/indicator rig a lot nicer & felt fantastic with a few of the larger fish(15-16").
It'll be interesting to see which line the 6 weight likes, the 4 weight went for a Wonderline

Grumpy

[Steve H]

That is great service!!!

[clinch_flyer]

Still waiting on my Helios, after throwing the 6 wt which is the sweetest rod I have even thrown, I decided to back down to a 5wt.....