Built in Manchester, Vermont since 1856

Orvis started as a small tackle shop in southern Vermont, and its fly rods still come out of a rod shop on the company's Manchester campus. Around 60 rodsmiths roll, sand, wrap and test the flagship Helios, the Recon and the Superfine Glass rods there, along with Orvis bamboo. Orvis has been owned by the Perkins family since 1965, and for decades it has given five percent of pretax profits to conservation groups that protect the water we all fish. That mix of long history and hands-on building is a big part of why so many anglers trust the name.

Helios design and rods that are easy to fix

The current Helios was developed and built under one roof in Vermont. Orvis tuned the blank to cut down tip wobble at the end of the cast, which helps the loop track straight and the fly land where you aimed. It also comes in two actions. The D models favor distance and power for big flies and wind, while the F models favor feel and tippet protection for delicate trout work. Orvis also changed its build process in 2018 so rod sections are interchangeable, which means a broken piece can often be swapped out quickly instead of waiting weeks for a full repair.

Which Orvis fly rod is right for you?

• Orvis Helios D: The distance and power version of the Helios, built in Vermont for wind, heavy flies, big trout and saltwater, from trout weights up to 14-weight Big Game models.
• Orvis Helios F: The finesse version of the Helios, tuned for sensitivity, accuracy and tippet protection on dry flies, nymphs and small water.
• Orvis Recon Freshwater: A fast, lightweight four-piece rod built in the Vermont shop that gives you much of the Helios feel at a lower price for everyday trout fishing.
• Orvis Recon Saltwater: The saltwater side of the Recon line, with the backbone to push heavier lines and handle bonefish, redfish and stripers.
• Orvis Superfine Glass: A slow, smooth S-2 fiberglass rod made in Vermont, with light weights for small-stream trout and heavier weights for carp and streamers.
• Orvis Clearwater: A value-priced rod designed in Vermont that covers trout streams, Euro nymphing and big-water streamer work across a wide range of lengths and line weights.

Buy your Orvis fly rod from AvidMax

Orvis rods are covered by the Orvis 25-Year Guarantee: if a rod breaks, Orvis will repair it, and if it can't be repaired, Orvis will replace it. Not sure which model fits your water? Our team fishes this gear and can help you match a rod, reel and line. Call 720-836-3619 (9 to 5 MST, Monday to Saturday). Standard shipping is free on orders over $45.