Hello. Great review. I own this rod and love it! I also own the Orvis Helios 3F, 763-4. I was wondering if you could review this rod? I have not seen any video reviews on it. Thank you!, David
Good review I have the 3D 5wt version over here in the UK. I came to this rod after selling my sage method which allowed me to fish in really windy conditions. It’s a joy to use and you don’t need to over line the rod....even my scientific anger mxp which is a half line size heavy is not needed. I really don’t understand the lack of a hook keeper. I love my Helios 3 it’s a kick ass rod
The Modern Trout Bum the method was great at doing what it was made to do.....essentially casting into the distance and smashing through the wind....however for everything else it just lacked feel. I lost soooo many fish bu bouncing them off on barbless hooks. My Helios 3 isn’t quite as good in the wind but it’s all around a better balanced rod and beats the method in most areas
Yeah, the H3 is a really impressive rod. Probably the best all-around rod on the market right now. It'll be interesting to see what Winston offers soon, since they haven't upgraded the Boron IIIx line in ten years.
I have the same rod, i also so sold my method to buy this one. Its probably the best rod I have ever owned. what always amazes me is how easy it is to lay out a 50 ft+ cast with like no effort. I liked it so much I went out and bought the 6 weight 3D for hucking streamers and nymphing big water. Just great products this year from orvis. Im probably going to pick up this 4 weight 3f as well.
I have an 8'6 wt4 and a 9' wt5. They could seems two similar rods, but they are very different. The only things that doesn't change are: - the almost inexistent weight (the 8'6" is 63 grams, but whit an incredible backbone) - and the precision of the castings The differences between these two rods are basically these ones: - the 9' wt5 can cast more easily also big or medium size streamers, but can land a dry fly at 60ft whit an incredible precision. It's perfect for a lot of different fishing situations. Morover the 9' wt5 can support also the fight of very big trouts, but I catched also medium size pikes and largemouth basses... in practice it is the most versatile and sold ORVIS rod (if you watch ORVIS videos, they are made almost all with the ORVIS Helios 3f 9' wt5.. - INSTEAD, the 8'6 4wt is a very specific rod: obviously you can catch a number of fishes, but it's the perfect trout rod. It cast perfectly like the 9 ft, but it's made for dry flies (like all the rods of the 3F line) and VERY little streamers. In terms of results, in my opinion this rod is perfectly capable to land a 50cm trout, cause this line have a great backbone, but maybe with the 9' 5WT the fish is less stressed. IN CONCLUSION They're two incredible rods, and I wouldn't give one away for the world, because they are a marvel of technology. In any case, to better appreciate the Orvis rods, I would go for these two products, but there are some for all tastes and sizes. Then, this is the top of the range line, but they also have very good products at more affordable prices.
Hello. Great review. I own this rod and love it! I also own the Orvis Helios 3F, 763-4. I was wondering if you could review this rod? I have not seen any video reviews on it. Thank you!, David
Good review I have the 3D 5wt version over here in the UK. I came to this rod after selling my sage method which allowed me to fish in really windy conditions. It’s a joy to use and you don’t need to over line the rod....even my scientific anger mxp which is a half line size heavy is not needed. I really don’t understand the lack of a hook keeper. I love my Helios 3 it’s a kick ass rod
Thanks! We're fans of it (obviously). How was it going from a stiff stick like the Method over to the Orvis?
The Modern Trout Bum the method was great at doing what it was made to do.....essentially casting into the distance and smashing through the wind....however for everything else it just lacked feel. I lost soooo many fish bu bouncing them off on barbless hooks. My Helios 3 isn’t quite as good in the wind but it’s all around a better balanced rod and beats the method in most areas
Yeah, the H3 is a really impressive rod. Probably the best all-around rod on the market right now. It'll be interesting to see what Winston offers soon, since they haven't upgraded the Boron IIIx line in ten years.
I have the same rod, i also so sold my method to buy this one. Its probably the best rod I have ever owned. what always amazes me is how easy it is to lay out a 50 ft+ cast with like no effort. I liked it so much I went out and bought the 6 weight 3D for hucking streamers and nymphing big water. Just great products this year from orvis. Im probably going to pick up this 4 weight 3f as well.
Did you try the 8ft 6 5 weight? I'm wondering how it compares to the 4.
I have an 8'6 wt4 and a 9' wt5. They could seems two similar rods, but they are very different. The only things that doesn't change are:
- the almost inexistent weight (the 8'6" is 63 grams, but whit an incredible backbone)
- and the precision of the castings
The differences between these two rods are basically these ones:
- the 9' wt5 can cast more easily also big or medium size streamers, but can land a dry fly at 60ft whit an incredible precision. It's perfect for a lot of different fishing situations.
Morover the 9' wt5 can support also the fight of very big trouts, but I catched also medium size pikes and largemouth basses... in practice it is the most versatile and sold ORVIS rod (if you watch ORVIS videos, they are made almost all with the ORVIS Helios 3f 9' wt5..
- INSTEAD, the 8'6 4wt is a very specific rod: obviously you can catch a number of fishes, but it's the perfect trout rod. It cast perfectly like the 9 ft, but it's made for dry flies (like all the rods of the 3F line) and VERY little streamers. In terms of results, in my opinion this rod is perfectly capable to land a 50cm trout, cause this line have a great backbone, but maybe with the 9' 5WT the fish is less stressed.
IN CONCLUSION
They're two incredible rods, and I wouldn't give one away for the world, because they are a marvel of technology. In any case, to better appreciate the Orvis rods, I would go for these two products, but there are some for all tastes and sizes. Then, this is the top of the range line, but they also have very good products at more affordable prices.
What's the overweight of these rod?
Yup. I need one.
Lol everyone hates the 3F. It’s a shit rod, while the 3D is raved about.
Must only be your friend circle. Everything I’ve heard about the 3F is that it’s amazing.
I saw a few videos saying in lower weights the F series is the go to. From 6 wt and up the D was preferred. I only have the 8 D and it is fantastic.