Orvis Helios F 5WT 9'
In Stock • Bozeman, MT
- All-around trout fishing performance
- Dries, nymphs, and streamers in freshwater rivers and lakes
- Smooth action for precision casting
- Responsive mending and line control
- Modified full wells grip
- Matte olive blank with olive thread wraps
- Aluminum rod tube
- Backed by 25-Year Guarantee
- Made in USA
Description
Orvis Helios F 5WT 9'
Your best is now 4x better with unprecedented accuracy and the backbone to deliver when you need it most. Designed and rigorously tested to perform in the most demanding conditions, the all-new HeliosTM fly rod is the go-everywhere, fish-anything option for anglers demanding power and precision. From tight-quarter trout streams to double hauling on salt flats, the versatility is a game- changer. With the world’s most accurate and powerful fly rod in your hands, anything is possible.
Features
The Most Accurate Fly Rod in the World
And we can prove it. With the most significant reduction in tip displacement ever measured, hit your target with laser precision.![]()
Delivering Your Fly With Confidence - On Target, Every Time
Strategic reinforcement in the rod blank increases hoop strength and minimizes vibration, leading to a radical reduction in tip displacement.![]()
Muscle and Mettle
Increased travel distance means more lifting power when a fish runs under the boat or thrashes at the net. Fight those last moments with confidence.
Distance & Finesse - A Quiver of Options in Two Series
Choose D for increased line speed and lifting power and F for ultimate sensitivity and delicate presentations with tippet protection.

Warranty
Orvis 25-Year Guarantee
What that means is, we’ll fix your broken fly rod, and if we can’t fix it, we’ll replace it, no questions asked. Step on it, close the door on it, run over it with the car—it doesn’t matter, we’ll fix it. Our exclusive interchangeable part program means if we have the parts in-stock, we'll get you back on the water in 5 business days. And if we can’t repair it, we’ll choose a newer model rod of at least equal value to replace it. Your investment is assured for a nominal shipping and handling charge.
Orvis Helios F
Q: What specific fishing scenarios did you design this rod for, and where do you feel it truly excels in performance? A: 12-20 dries and 5-6x tippet all day.
Q: What fly line would you recommend pairing with this rod? A: Orvis Pro Trout Taper
| empty | 20' cast | 30' Cast | 40' Cast | 50' Cast | 20' Wind | 30' Wind | 40' Wind | 50' Wind | Pile Cast 30' | Reach Cast 30' | Reach Cast 30' Wind | False Cast 30' | False Cast 30' Wind | FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caster 1 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 47.5 |
| Caster 2 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 45 |
| Caster 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 44.5 |
| Combined | 10 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10 | 11.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 11 | 137 |
10' 5x leader with Yard Indicator
- Performed above average, and definitely improved at longer distances. Had enough power throughout to cast into the wind.
- Rod is light in hand and consistent at all distances. It could offer a deeper bend throughout to add in feel/load and allow for easier strokes. Easy to be accurate. Above average for this rod category.
- As a pure accuracy tool, it puts it where you want it. But not a lot of feedback in the process. Not that enjoyable - same at all distances. Feels effortful at longer distance. Resistance to bending. Can it protect light tippets?
The Orvis Helios F 5-weight is a light, accurate rod that performs consistently across all distances, with enough backbone to handle wind and deliver precise casts. It excels as a technical tool for placing flies exactly where intended, but it lacks the deeper bend and feedback that make casting feel intuitive or enjoyable. While it performs above average in its class, coming in 6th in the dry fly course, the rod feels somewhat resistant and effortful, especially at longer ranges, and could benefit from more flex and feel to soften the stroke and better protect light tippets. A sharp, effective rod—though more clinical than soulful.
Incredibly light and fun rod. When casting it had a more precise feel, allowing you to cast your dry flies more confident and accurately. However, because of how light and sensitive this rod feels, it can feel a bit "finnicky" when casting for the first time.
The first thing that I noticed when I picked up the Orvis Helios F, was its weight. It is one of the lightest 5 weight rods that I have ever held. I cast this rod side by side with the Orvis Helios D (it's faster action counterpart). While the Helios D had tremendous line speed and made long casts quite easy, the Helios F has a more delicate feel and made it easier to lay my casts down soft. Overall, I think Orvis did a great job of covering both ends of the spectrum with these rods. They have the faster action D that is better for casting heavier rigs like streamers or nymph rigs and the F which has a slower action that is perfect for dry flies and lighter rigs.
I had the joy of fishing a full day with the Helios F. And while I mainly fished dry flies and dry droppers, I tied on a nymph rig to see how it would handle the heavier load. To my surprise this rod handled the two flies, indicator, and split shot just fine. Even though this rod is not necessarily designed to through heavy rigs, if you find your self in a situation where have to throw a nymph rig, you can have confidence in the Orvis Helios F.