Orvis, the family-owned and operated outdoor retailer that pioneered the modern fly rod, announces its next generation of Helios rods. The new Helios is four times more accurate than its ground-breaking predecessor the Helios 3 (H3) and is 25 percent stronger and 10 percent lighter in hand. The result is an intuitive fly rod that is defining a new era in fly rod manufacturing. “Helios rods are what people think of when they think of Orvis innovation and leadership in fly fishing,” said Orvis President Simon Perkins. “We had something really special with the Helios 3, and we wanted to challenge ourselves with something better. Because the team in our Rod Shop is the best in the world, the result is revolutionary.”

Conceived and built by designers, engineers and rod builders in Manchester, Vermont, the new Helios is the most advanced fly rod in fishing and an unprecedented leap forward in the industry. The new rod displays dramatically increased hoop strength and a radical reduction in rod tip displacement when casting. The result is a rod that is able to deliver a cast that is measurably more accurate than the competition, tracking four times better than the industry-leading Helios 3. It is endorsed by Orvis’s vast network of professional guides and anglers many of whom part of the official testing process across seven countries.

“The new Helios is a reimagining of what’s possible in a fly rod and its ability to deliver the best experience for an angler. Four times more accurate than the industry-benchmark H3 is not hyperbole,” said Shawn Combs, director of fishing design and development. “We’ve built the tools to quantify what’s been measured historically in our industry through feel. This rod is where instinct and innovation meet. The result is the most accurate rod in the world. We know it when we cast it, and we see it in the data.” The Helios is available in two distinct series, Distance (D) and Finesse (F). The D-Series offers increased line speed, lifting power and stored energy and is available in a variety of sizes, from 4-weight for small stream trout to 14-weight for billfish in saltwater. The F-Series features increased sensitivity optimized for delicate presentations and tippet protection and is available in sizes ranging from 2 weight to 8 weight.

“It’s fun to think of Orvis as a start-up in the 1850s and how Charles F. Orvis wanted to give someone the tool that would introduce them to the natural world in a way that would change their life,” said Perkins. “That’s really what this new generation of Helios does. It makes any angler their best. And when you’re your best, you want to get out and live for more unforgettable moments on the water.” The Helios fly rod collection (MSRP $1098-$1198) is available online and at select independent fly shops and Orvis retail stores. To explore the Helios collection, please go to www.orvis.com/helios-fly-fishing-rods.

Announcing Fly Fusion’s Trout Tour. Tickets now on sale! A well formed excuse to get together with fly-fishing friends. Take in an epic collection of trouty fly-fishing films from Gilbert Rowley, Phil Tuttle, The Braker Bros, Todd Moen, RA Beattie and Fly Fusion Films. Premiering in Sundance this March, the films will make their way around the American and Canadian West.

Limited cities, limited tickets and monster trout. Click for tour dates and tickets!

In association with the International Fly Fishing Film Festival. Presented by: Scientific Anglers, St. Croix, Skwala and Yeti.

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) today announced two films, Dollar Dog and Father + Nature as the winning films of the 2023 run of the festival.

Dollar Dog, a film from award-winning filmmaker Tim Myers, tells the story of the most unlikely of fish bums – Ella. A four-legged vagabond whose love for Atlantic salmon rivals that of her angling counterparts. A well-crafted story – a tale – of the place and the fish, from which legends, like Ella, are born.

“What an honor to have Ella with us as this collection of films traveled around the world”, says IF4 Executive Producer Chris Bird, “the team behind Dollar Dog, led by renowned filmmaker Tim Myers, captured a special story that touched the hearts of audiences in every city. Ella’s star shines brightly and she will forever have a home in the room of angling legends.”

Father + Nature, a film from award-winning filmmakers Hilton Graham and Lucas Krost, tells the story of a ranching family located along the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park; one of the most beautiful river corridors in the world. The film celebrates John Turner, a conservation icon who changed the landscape of the West, who helped conserve over thirty million acres around the world and who was instrumental in the founding of Earth Day.

“The story of the Turner family in Father + Nature reminds us, as did A River Runs Through It, that deeply woven through the soul of fly fishing is faith, family and friendship”, says IF4 Executive Producer Chris Bird, “Through his example, John Turner reminds us that anglers are the valued stewards of conservation and the waters in which we play. He provides an incredible example that one person can make a significant difference; and a challenge to protect things wild for many generations to come.”

Bird goes onto say that, “It has been incredible to watch as audiences returned in large numbers to celebrate the films and shared passions. We are excited about the future and, most importantly, about the fly-fishing community that a new collection of films will create.”

About IF4: The International Fly Fishing Film Festival is the world’s leading fly-fishing film event, consisting of films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe and showcases the passion, lifestyle, and culture of fly fishing. It is the gathering place of the fly-fishing community and a celebration of friendship, stories and stoke. flyfilmfest.com