After a bunch of time casting the new Helios 2 saltwater rods on the casting pond, grass, and the parking lot, I got a chance to put the 9 weight to the test while actually fishing last month. My beloved 9 weight TCX got to take a rest for a while I fished the Helios 2 909-4 (9' 9 weight, 4 piece) for Permit.
The first thing you'll notice is how light in the hand these rods are. I've not run across a rod lighter in the hand. They are not in fact lighter than first generation Helios, the rod designers at Orvis just spent some time adjusting tapers to make the rod have a lighter, crisper feel. Power is not a problem with the H2, they have a bunch of jam. Casting the DC Crab, complete with 3/16 Tungsten eyes in a 25 knot wind, is not a big deal with this rod.
Butt strength (fighting power/feel) is pretty good with this rod. With todays rods getting lighter and lighter, one of the things we have noticed is that we have lost some of the "power" feel while playing big game species. The H2 is pretty darn good, about equal to the Sage TCX and certainly better than the Sage ONE.
Finish and cosmetics are unparalleled, Orvis does get the premise that a $800 fly rod should look good as well as fish good. Fitting configurations on the H2 are even prettier than the first generation Helios.
To make a long story short, everything I liked about the original Helios is still there but the few thing I thought could be improved (power, lightness up in the tip as examples) have been thoroughly addressed by Orvis. And the H2 rods are very forgiving rods, we can comfortably sell these rods to a range of casting styles and abilities,
not the case with Sage TCX.
All in all.....good job Orvis!
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