Spey North
06-01-2010, 06:48 AM
There is a lot of hype as of late in regards to this Orvis Helios graphite and their switch rods. They also have this new line of spey rods coming out. I have a few questions in regards to the switch rods and spey rods. It would seem this would be the place to ask them...
1) Who designed these rods? I see that Kiene's was involved with the development of the switch rods, assuming this means Jeff Putnam was involved? Does the same go for the spey rods, was Kiene's/Jeff Putnam involved in their design as well? Are the switch rods a legitimate two hand rated rod or are they a single hand rated rod with two handed grip?
2) They are listed as tip flex, which to me says they were designed for more long line applications and scandi/underhand applications, but not so much skagit line applications, would this assumption be true? I understand to an extent this would involve personal taste, but primarily rods that are considered really good skagit line rods, have a stiffer tip and flex a bit deeper, I would assume this does not really describe the action of the Helios spey rods? Not knocking them, just trying to figure out what they are like, I have no local shops to go and check one out at myself. I am not looking for "soft" rods, more so looking for cannons to launch floating and sinking scandi heads.
Any other information that could be provided in regards to the action, feel and design of the Helios switch/spey rods, would be greatly appreciated.
1) Who designed these rods? I see that Kiene's was involved with the development of the switch rods, assuming this means Jeff Putnam was involved? Does the same go for the spey rods, was Kiene's/Jeff Putnam involved in their design as well? Are the switch rods a legitimate two hand rated rod or are they a single hand rated rod with two handed grip?
2) They are listed as tip flex, which to me says they were designed for more long line applications and scandi/underhand applications, but not so much skagit line applications, would this assumption be true? I understand to an extent this would involve personal taste, but primarily rods that are considered really good skagit line rods, have a stiffer tip and flex a bit deeper, I would assume this does not really describe the action of the Helios spey rods? Not knocking them, just trying to figure out what they are like, I have no local shops to go and check one out at myself. I am not looking for "soft" rods, more so looking for cannons to launch floating and sinking scandi heads.
Any other information that could be provided in regards to the action, feel and design of the Helios switch/spey rods, would be greatly appreciated.