Orvis Hydros - preliminary review

[alanb_ct]

I spoke to my Orvis friend today (from the Darien, CT shop) about the new line of rods. You will also notice that Orvis went live with the Hydros link today:
http://www.orvis.com/store/product_d...ubcat_id=19160
(curiously, they are not offering the 10ft 4wt, but the 10ft 7wt might be the new steelhead rod of choice)

The Helios series is Orvis’ top-selling rod in history, and are still selling great. The Hydros is not intended to be a lower-grade Helios replacement, but instead replaces the niche in their product line once occupied by the T3. The Hydros rods are being built on the T3 mandrills, but using the newer graphite and scrim technologies from the Helios. The actual rods are not in the Darien store, yet, but slated for arrival before mid-November. It sounds like the more common sizes (9ft 5wt) will be initially produced in greater volume, but the whole line will be available soon. I asked why the rod most suitable and popular with Euro-nymphing, the 10ft 4wt, was not available, and the Orvis rep admitted that this seemed like a strange occurrence. As with most rods, if there is a definite consumer demand for a specific rod, I am sure the factory will listen.

The Hydros rods are a bit (maybe 10%) heavier than the Helios because of three things: guides, reel seat and paint. The Hydros guides will be the standard chrome snake guides instead of the lighter high-tech recoil guides. In lieu of the high-tech carbon fiber spacer, the Hydros reel seats will be like the old T3s, I think with nickel silver hardware and stabilized Amboina wood insert. The salt versions will have something like the corrosion-proof saltwater reel seat with anodized aluminum hardware. The paint is interesting; the paint on the Hydros rods, while cheaper, is also about 2 microns thicker than the Helios paint, so that adds a bit of weight too. You should note, however, that the Hydros rods are still SUPER light, the 9ft 4wt is still only 2 5/8oz! This compares favorably with the 2 3/8oz weight of the equivalent Helios. The 10ft 7wt is only 4oz, not too shabby either.

Anyway, you might want to consider these rods. They seem like a real solid contender in the mid-range price point.

[LopatNympher]

Alan,
I am curious about the paint you refer to on these rods. Is is actually a paint or is it a thermal-setting coating along the lines of gelcoat?

[alanb_ct]

Lopat: Sorry, I don't really have the knowledge or expertise to answer that. You could contact Orvis directly, or a good blank manufacturer.

[LopatNympher]

No big deal, just curious that's all