DEMYSTIFLY

The reel seat isn't the most crucial aspect of a fly rod to look at, but I now take the design into consideration more than I used to. Out of all the fly rods I've fished over the years, a lot of the reel seats were simply unremarkable. Looks aside, it was the function of these seats that often felt somewhat unrefined and failed to blow me away. I can accept a seat like this on a more value-oriented rod, but I've always thought a pricier stick should utilize something more su

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Ever wished for just a little more length in your fly rod? Whether added distance, line control, or casting elevation is desired, I'm pretty sure nearly all serious anglers have had this thought more than once. I know I have. A 9-foot fly rod is top dog for good reason—it delivers an ideal blend of castability, portability and control—but sometimes it's just not quite optimal. While a 10-foot fly rod can deliver the right results, in my experience th

I'm a big fan of the Helios 3 rods and own H3D 4 and 5 weights in my personal arsenal. Lightweight, fast, and really fun to fish, Orvis is adding three new models to the rod family which feature some unique lengths and cosmetics. These new "Blackout" models appear to fill some niches that anglers may find very useful. (All images courtesy of Orvis) Excerpt from Orvis: "A product of strong collaboration, the Blackout rods are high-concept, extremely specialized fishing tools—e

(words and images courtesy of Orvis and Hell's Bay Boatworks) MANCHESTER, Vt. (Jan. 27, 2021) — Orvis, the family-owned and operated outdoor retailer that specializes in fly fishing gear, and Hell’s Bay Boatworks, the renowned Florida-based boat maker, announce the launch of a new special edition skiff package that benefits Florida fisheries. The brands collaborated to design the Orvis Edition Package, which can be added to any of Hell’s Bay Boatworks Skiffs, and features uni

Don't you love those days when you can leave the waders home? Whether it's a mountain stream in the summer or saltwater flats just about any time of year, wet wading is refreshing and a lot of fun. With a little help from the Michelin Man, the new Orvis PRO Approach Wet Wading Shoes were specifically designed with a host of beneficial features for wet wading fresh and saltwater anglers. A few of the most prominent features include a breathable built-in Ariaprene sock to keep

There are several aspects to consider when shopping for a new fly line. Let's see, there's grain weight, taper design, and type of core to name three of the major ones, but is the line's surface important too? Specifically, should you get a textured or smooth fly line? Most fly lines on the market feature coatings that are totally smooth. Not only are these lines pleasing to hold and manipulate all day long, but they are also nice and quiet when sliding in and out of the rod

For a gear nut like myself, there are so many tempting rod and reel choices today that making a decision can be tough. I'll often weigh the pros and cons of an item for a few days before finally pulling the trigger! However, sometimes impulse takes over and I'm clicking "buy" within mere minutes. I was actually guilty of this just a few days ago when I found the new Orvis Limited Edition purple Hydros. I had previously reviewed one of the new 2020 Hydros reels in the standard

From what I've seen, there's little debate on how good the Orvis Helios 3 series really is. After previously testing the 5 weight D model and purchasing a 4 weight D for myself, I can truly say I did get all the initial hype. The rods cast wonderfully, are very accurate, and have that lightweight feel that everyone loves. On the flip side, however, there is one complaint I've both read and heard more than once... The logo. I don't mind the logo and think it looks cool and tec

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship The Helios 3 rods are Orvis' top-of-the-line offerings, and they are indeed impressive. I've fished the 5D, personally own a 4D, and have great things to say about both. But, that performance comes at a cost, and a premium cost it is indeed. What to do if you can't justify or afford such a lofty price tag, but still have an appetite for strong performance? The new Orvis Recon may be the answer. From what I hear, the last generation of Orvis Recon rod

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship A high-end fly reel is a thing of beauty. The intricate machining, sparkling finish, premium touches, and silky performance can really spike the desire meter. However, like a precision timepiece or luxury car, the associated price tag puts these reels in another financial galaxy for many anglers. Sure, there's a plethora of reels out there for all types of budgets, but does choosing a more affordably-priced option carry a heavy performance and "cooln

Helios 3 Artist Series If you're looking for something seriously special, the Limited Edition Helios 3 "Artist Series" might just be your thing. Available in 9-foot 5F and 8D models, both rods each feature hand-burned custom cork grips done by famed artist Tim Johnson. The 5-weight model sports a trout and mayfly, while the 8-weight grip features a feeding bonefish. In addition, no two grips will be exactly the same as they are all individually handcrafted by Tim and each als

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Around a year and a half ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing the Orvis Helios 3D in a 5-weight size. While I typically like to keep our reviews mixed and don't bother testing more than one fly rod from a single series, I made an exception this time. I recently bought a Helios 3D 4-weight for myself and figured it might be interesting to write this rod up to let readers know about any performance differences. Although only one line size separates it

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship When I first got wind of the coming Mirage LT, I immediately figured it was a replacement for the standard Mirage series. Wrong. The original series still exists, but the LT is a lighter, more streamlined option that borrows many of the original's features at a substantially cheaper cost. In fact, these new reels are up to 30% lighter and 30% narrower than the originals, making these perfect matches for lightweight rods and lighter applications. Avai

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Have you ever fished a textured fly line? While the vast majority of fly lines have smooth surfaces, some lines are built with different types of surface designs that are said to reduce friction and improve line flow. I've typically just stuck with conventional smooth lines for the most part, but my 2018 test of Orvis' Hydros HD textured trout line gave me some food for thought. That proved to be an excellent line, and with the brand-new PRO Textured

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship My recent review of Orvis' Clearwater 9-foot 4-weight fly rod right here was overwhelmingly positive. They simply did a great job upgrading that rod and it was totally satisfying to fish with. One thing I didn't mention in that review was that Orvis actually sent me that rod as part of a combo paired up with their new Clearwater large arbor reel and Clearwater fly line. Despite everything arriving as a combo, I wanted to review the rod and reel separ

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship The popular Orvis Clearwater rod series has been around for quite some time now and has been a popular option for folks not looking to drop a huge wad of cash on a new fly rod. While I never got around to fishing a rod from the last generation of Clearwaters, at first glance the new series looked extremely promising. Undergoing a major overhaul for 2019, Orvis has changed things like cosmetics, grip styles, actions, reel seats, and blank materials wh

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Redesigned in 2016, the new Orvis Mirage is a real looker. Its futuristic lines—particularly on the back frame—really give it a unique look that easily separates it from the competition. These fresh cosmetics combined with a host of strong features makes the Mirage a very appealing upgrade over its predecessor. Although at the time of this writing the reel has been out for nearly two years, I felt it was imperative to get one reviewed here on Demysti

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship It's an especially great time to be a fly angler. Not only do we have access to some outstanding top-tier gear these days, but the amount of high-quality products at very fair prices has never been better. Speaking of which, the Orvis Hydros SL series of reels looks to fit right into that category. Though not exactly a brand-new offering, I hadn't yet fished a Hydros SL reel before this test. Actually, it's been awhile since I last fished an Orvis re

Intro/Specs/Craftsmanship Somehow, the new Orvis Helios 3 kind of snuck up on me last year. When a major product unveiling like this is planned, I typically hear some rumblings of it well in advance. That was not the case with the Helios 3. When covering the IFTD show last year in Orlando, I don't think I even knew about these sticks until I personally visited the Orvis booth on day one. I'm glad I did because that post quickly shot to the top and easily became our most-viewe

Mirage Fly Reels: Orvis has redesigned the popular Mirage series of fly reels and given them both stunning aesthetics and impressive features. Mirage reels will now be made here in the USA, and will be machined from 6061-T6 aluminum with a Type III mil-spec anodizing. Other robust features include a sealed carbon/stainless disc drag, zero-to-full drag in just 330-degrees of knob rotation, super-large arbor, and a quick release spool. Available colors are black or pewter. Expe