The new Orvis Hydros fly rod

[DRYFLYPHIL]

Hello All,

I'm just curious if anyone has physically checked out or looked at the new Hydros model fly rod from Orvis yet, and what do you think? Its suppose to have the same Blank as the Helios, with just different external components, and weigh slightly more then the Helios.

I did some comparisons between the 2 listed Hydros & Helios models. The 8'4" 3wt Hydros - $300.00 cheaper which is a big difference between them, the Helios is a 1/2 oz. lighter (1/2 oz. is not a lot) then the Hydros. Different less expensive components between each model. They both have the same 25 year warranty.

Other then the almost $800.00 price tag, I was pretty impressed with the trial I experienced on the Helios model, but that $800.00 price tag scared me away.

I haven't tried the Hydros model myself yet, so I can't compare the performance between the 2 models.

So, whats everyones thoughts of the new Hydros?

Tightlines............DRYFLYPHIL

[millerbrown]

I don't know what to think of this rod. Is the Hydros a Helios with $20 less hardware and $200 taken off the price? Were sales of the Helios in the dumps due to the $800 price tag and bad economy and Orvis needed to do something with the blanks? Is it a "Zero-Gravity" series with a new name?

It's funny how rod makers, especially this one, always find a revolutionary breakthrough in rod design EVERY YEAR. That's marketing for ya!!!!

Millerbrown

[DRYFLYPHIL]

Millerbrown,

I know what you mean.
I really thought about what you said with the price tag & the Helios market possibly tanking? But is this new Hydros rod going to help further that down wards trend in the market because of the price of the Helios if it is possibly tanking, who knows?

I haven't tried the new Hydros but have tried the Helios. Now I myself if looking at the two rods with exactly the same rod blanks. OK, one has less expensive hardware & subtleties, now I would think they should preform the same or very close to each other. Couple hundred $$buck difference. Humm! I think I know which one I might go for?

Tightlines...................DRYFLYPHIL

[DRYFLYPHIL]

Well I actually went to Orvis in Manchester Vt. with my dad the other day and checked out the new Hydros fly rod, and its "OK". My personal opinion is, other then the reel seat, it looks a lot like their Clearwater II. Though different, but similar.

Its a nice rod overall & I'm not knocking it, but my thought is for $495.00 bucks? There's a lot of nice Rods out there for that amount or less, (or more) that are more appealing to the eye & probably preform as good or even better in some instances.

But who knows, maybe I'll buy one?

Fishing season's coming..................Phil

[Mark Patenaude]

Phil:

Though rods may "look" alike you need to evaluate them based on the components used to build it, the type/generation of graphite or other materials like Boron used for the blank and the potential for incorporation of a new type of taper. That is what really differentiates one rod from another.

I personally don't buy any FF products who's manufacturer starts with "O". There are too many other and better manufacturers out there with equal or better pricing.