Posts by J.James
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2,153 Posts
Great info. I honestly can't imagine going over 300 grains with this rod. For me, it's a a true super light single hand/switch and I'll use mostly dry flies with a Scandi head. I have a TNT 1195 that's very light but can throw just about anything with ease (extra 9 inches over the Helios)
I also have a TFO DC #4 11 which can barely toss a 3inc leach with barbells. I wouldn't do it again, it loves a 240-275. For me, I prefer lighter lines for both the fish and I find them less work on the water.
When you get north of 325 I feel as though you're entering robust 5 to light 6 weight which isn't really what I need. It's a lovely Rod and truly lightweight and I'm hoping it will give more feedback than the TFO. (Not that the TFO is bad in any manner, I love it)
I use to use poly leaders, but I don't find them useful unless I'm throwing skagit and need to get down deep. But I use a lot of weighted flies and I rarely need both a sink tip and a cone head. I'm sure you're environment calls for that (and I'm jealous) but here, there's just really no need.
I think people overweight their rods more often than not (not suggesting you do) but I find I get more out of my Rod the lighter I go in grains.
I try to stay around 300 or less. I'm impressed if you manage 370! I'd drive her slow though
I also have a TFO DC #4 11 which can barely toss a 3inc leach with barbells. I wouldn't do it again, it loves a 240-275. For me, I prefer lighter lines for both the fish and I find them less work on the water.
When you get north of 325 I feel as though you're entering robust 5 to light 6 weight which isn't really what I need. It's a lovely Rod and truly lightweight and I'm hoping it will give more feedback than the TFO. (Not that the TFO is bad in any manner, I love it)
I use to use poly leaders, but I don't find them useful unless I'm throwing skagit and need to get down deep. But I use a lot of weighted flies and I rarely need both a sink tip and a cone head. I'm sure you're environment calls for that (and I'm jealous) but here, there's just really no need.
I think people overweight their rods more often than not (not suggesting you do) but I find I get more out of my Rod the lighter I go in grains.
I try to stay around 300 or less. I'm impressed if you manage 370! I'd drive her slow though
Joined
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2,153 Posts
Hey RaZ! How goes it?
Congrats on the bass! Must have been fun towing that around! I'm not familiar with Orvis' Hydros line. I do really enjoy Beulah's V2 elixer which in this weight as a 5er is a switch line. It's so nice at 300grains. I also like Rio Max Short at 325 when I need to get down. I have a nice 6ft tip of t8 that never complains but I have to remember to slow my cast down a bit unlike the elixer which just gets up and goes
I'm not surprised at all. What I later learned about your Rod is that it is one of only three rods (I'm aware of) that has the nano syntrax resin properties that make it basically unbelievably strong and light. The other rods are the Beulah Opal and the Hardy Zenith? One of Hardys rod lines.
The Opal is more in line with the H2 and it will sing enormous distances OH or with switch lines. In fact they supposedly are nearly identical in buil but not components. The H1 series (which I have) is not quite as performance oriented but lovely nontheless. I find my 11 ft switch Helios will cast as far as my T&T 11'9. Which is saying something as T&T rods are super tippy but they perform in a different manner. I like them both for different reasons. Longer length is easier to cast but I lose more flies on the T&T from not slowing my cast down than any Rod I've ever owned.
I'm currently courting my Helios 7w Spey and find her to be a real treasure. I get excited every time we meet
Stay in touch!
Congrats on the bass! Must have been fun towing that around! I'm not familiar with Orvis' Hydros line. I do really enjoy Beulah's V2 elixer which in this weight as a 5er is a switch line. It's so nice at 300grains. I also like Rio Max Short at 325 when I need to get down. I have a nice 6ft tip of t8 that never complains but I have to remember to slow my cast down a bit unlike the elixer which just gets up and goes
I'm not surprised at all. What I later learned about your Rod is that it is one of only three rods (I'm aware of) that has the nano syntrax resin properties that make it basically unbelievably strong and light. The other rods are the Beulah Opal and the Hardy Zenith? One of Hardys rod lines.
The Opal is more in line with the H2 and it will sing enormous distances OH or with switch lines. In fact they supposedly are nearly identical in buil but not components. The H1 series (which I have) is not quite as performance oriented but lovely nontheless. I find my 11 ft switch Helios will cast as far as my T&T 11'9. Which is saying something as T&T rods are super tippy but they perform in a different manner. I like them both for different reasons. Longer length is easier to cast but I lose more flies on the T&T from not slowing my cast down than any Rod I've ever owned.
I'm currently courting my Helios 7w Spey and find her to be a real treasure. I get excited every time we meet
Stay in touch!
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