Although many folks around the country never stop fly fishing, many of us have to wait for Opening Day. For Vermonters, the date April 11th is a like the light at the end of the tunnel, when we can finally shake off the winter doldrums and wet a line.
To celebrate, we’re giving away a Helios 2 fly rod to one random entrant in our contest, which ends on April 15. . .Tax Day. So for one lucky angler, the pain of rendering unto Caesar will be offset by the joy of taking home the best fly rod in the world.
If you want a more unbiased opinion of the Helios 2, check out the reviews page for any model. Here’s what “Maclin from SoCal” wrote about his trout model:
The Orvis Helios 2 five weight mid-flex rod is a truly perfect rod for me. I love the mid-flex aspect as I can “feel” the rod from tip to butt section, and that applies whether I cast a short distance or fire it out 70 feet. I even notice the improvements Orvis made in this rod over the original Helios five weight mid-flex, which is still a great rod. I find that the Helios 2 is even better, with a little more strength and sensitivity. I use it for dries as well as for nymphs and streamers.
All you have to do to enter the contest is use the gray widget below (Do not post your answer the comments section!) to tell us where you’d use your new Helios 2 the first time. You can double your chances of winning by subscribing to the Orvis Mailing list, too, using the same widget below. You can earn up to 10 more entries if you can get 10 friends to enter the contest through sharing.
The contest runs through Wednesday, April 15th, and one winner will be chosen at random. The winner will be able to choose his or her favorite Helios 2 Freshwater or Saltwater model (one-piece models are excluded).
Click here for the full contest rules. The sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the USA who are 18 or older. (We apologize to our readers in Canada and overseas; please trust us when we say that there are complex legal issues involved.)
I would love to fly fish with this high end rod. Being a student is hard because of all the bills you have to cope with. It’ll be great to have a rod like this.
Montauk
Salmon River Steelhead
Pyramid Lake!
I would fish in Mad River in NW Ohio
The Battenkill
I’d love to fish with this equipment. It’d be an excellent choice.
I fish the St. Croix river
Salmon River Ny. Steele
In Rio Homem Portugal, for fishing wild trout, brown and sea trout.
I would fish Tampa Bay in Florida
With any luck I will win and fish it alongside my dad.
After listening to a handful of the podcast. I would be really pumped to fish an orvis rod.
I would love to win this rod..
Carson River, Nevada
I’d love to use this on the French Broad River
North Carolina!!!
I have several Orvis Rods and love them!!! Including a Hydros. There just isn’t anything out there that compares!!!
This would be great to use in the Smokey’s.
kenauk Nature, Canada.
I am retired and my funds are limited, therefore I am very excited with opportunity to win a top quality Fly Rod like the Helios 2. Thank you for giving me this chance.
Rocky Mountain National Park!!!!!
The Mad River, Ohio
sow
Lucky clients will get to use this setup on either the Henry’s Fork or South Fork Snake River in Idaho while I guide them into some sweet trout.
All the mountain streams in North Carolina!
I’d love a 5 wt for Central PA wild trout.
I have been fishing the Guadaloupe in New Braunfels, TX where the tailwater stream sports Rainbows all winter long. It is a great stream with a great variety of runs. I would love to match up a Helios 2 with my trusty and reliable Orvis gain reel which I have used for nearly 45 years.
Clinch river, tailwaters of Norris dam.
I would fish it anywhere and everywhere
Posted from the Orvis Fly Fishing App
I would use my new Helios 2 on one of the many trout streams here in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia!
Great give away!!
First adventure with this awesome rod would be chasing Hex in Michigan!!
Please pick me!!!
Been trying to save up for better equipment. But crappy economy its kinda difficult, but this is a hobby I like and will take advantage of any chance to own fine equipment
Small Wisconsin streams for giant fish!
Let a fellow vet use it.
I would go straight to the Pere Marquette River and fish for browns and Steelhead
The gray entry widget doesn’t open on my Android or Apple devices, so I haven’t been able to enter. Does anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?
Use it to pike fish here in Michigan.
I would use this amazing Orvis product at the lower Niagara River for some steelhead! I’d show my friend how to fly fish with it!!!!!
I know I won’t get drawn, but you can’t win if you don’t play. I’d love to have a quality did rod.
All over northwest Montana
I would love to be the owner of that beautifully crafted stick and flash it on every fishin hole on the fly highway. In addition, when im not flashing my stick around, I would substitute it as a beatin stick to ward off cheese chuckers poaching my favorite spots. Just saying….
Beaver Creek, MT
seen one in action tonight on the blue river and seen a giant rainbow a friend brought in on his last sunday gotta have one can’t get out of it fishing plans are on the drawing board wyoming montana utah just to mention a few a busy summer and fall ahead a nice 5 wt would do the job!!!
seen one in action tonight on the blue river and seen a giant rainbow a friend brought in on his last sunday gotta have one can’t get out of it fishing plans are on the drawing board wyoming montana utah just to mention a few a busy summer and fall ahead a nice 5 wt would do the job!!!
7wt Canandaigua lake for bass after the spawn. Bass get active and crazy airborn!!
Nothing like a top of the line fly pole!!
I would love to use the Helios 2 this summer I am heading up to Alaska to the Nak Nak River Camp in King Salmon to help around camp and be an assistant guide so it would be awesome if I could win and awesome rod like this. I currently own a few rods from the Clearwater series that I love. But I would love to step my game up a little bit to the Helios.
Tight Lines
Love Orvis rods.
Slingin’ big streamers on the McCloud for October browns
I would use this rod on the various rivers here in Utah, and go after the trout that live in them.
I’d love to feel this rod in my hand , fighting a big wild native brookie in Baxter State park.
luv to use this rod fishing for sea tun trout in PEI.
I would take it out on the N. Platte…my back yard fishery!!
oh the North Platte on my list to drift & fish this summer
I would use this Rod on the Nantahala in NC
I’d use it on a private ranch I fish in northern Utah. This ranch has many 18-26 inch rainbows and a stream with miles of native Bonneville cutthroats.
Would really like to fish the Beaverkill and Willowemoc Rivers with this rod.
Onion river. Sheboygan co Wisconsin.
I would love to win this rod and catching a nice brownie 🙂
going down to Florida in June to chase the silver, would love to have a 12 wt Helios 2 to do it with.
I too can dream. I would love to travel to Vermont to pick up a new Helios
Slaty Fork In WV. As soon as I’m able to shed the chores of spring,it will be time to fish, and I will need a new fly-rod.
I would love to fish this rod in Wilson Creek, NC.
I’m A Disabled Veteran And I Would Really Like To Be Able To Fly Fish With A Highest Quality Orvis Helios Fly Rod Set Up!
White River, Arkansas stripping streamers at night for giant brownies!
Doesn’t look like I’m getting credit for sharing this — glitchy widget I guess?
8 wt for redfish and seatrout on the Mosquito Lagoon
on a small lake early in the morning, paddling a flat bottom with my best friend, my yellow lab named Orvis.
San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I’d use a hairs ear and a green caddis combination to catch those bow’s and browns!!!!
Bays Lake, Berry, Al
Since new years I have been helping those of you who are baffled by the tax code. Yes, I am a bean counter. Yes it is currently our busiest time of the year. Yes I am on Orvis and getting paid for it. Yes I would use this rod for a week straight for great lake steelhead. #PostTaxSeasonAnnual
Nice try!! There’s no way I’m giving up my secret Steelhead spot!!! :p
I have limited experience with flyrods so I would probably practice in my back yard or across the street at a local pond to try my hand at throwing a fly. Once I got the basics down I figure I would need some open space so I would try my hand in the Casselman River where the smallies are plentiful. Thanks for the opportunity to win your finely crafted product…….sincerely Me.
Salmon River, Idaho!!!
New to fly fishing would love to experience fishing with this kind of rod I cannot afford
I would give it to my hubby for an anniversary present. That way I could make an excuse up for him to take me to the Keys!
I would love to own the Helios 2! I fish Montana rivers around Missoula, MT and I’ve heard nothing but great things about the rod.
Etowah river for striper
I would use this rod for albies in Rhody, I love the fat tuny!!!
I’ve got two Clearwaters right now and I’m looking to upgrade. I’m gonna use this rod to hook up with some reds on the flats near Pawley’s Island SC.
Love Orvis!!!
manistee river here I come!
The Beaverhead!!
I actually work for orvis (store 69) in peabody as well as go to full time classes while putting in much time at orvis as well. I first learned fly fishing last year in new zealand when i went there for a year to play soccer however i would use the helios rod this summer on my internship in big timber montana on small and large rivers i plan on fishing every day 🙂 id either have to go with the yellowstone river which will be right near me or the madison river
I will use it on the Madison, Yellowstone & the Gallatin, but the Big Horn first.
Can’t afford anything this nice! First day out would definitely be on the Bitterroot river
Rapid creek!
I would use it in good ole Virginia where they have just restocked the streams.
Backpacking into Slough Creek again this year. Would love to break it in on some Yellowstone Cutties!
I am hooked on bonefish. I would use it at Turneffe Island Lodge.
Pyramid lake, nv or Davis lake, ca.
it would fish nicely on the S. Platte in Colorado!
The Yellowstone River. Or the Boundary Waters.
This would be perfect for the Green River
The perfect rod for Montana Rivers.
North Platte River, at Grey Reef in Alcova Wyoming.
Good call there Beaux, my home waters!
I would use it to fish at Redding, Ca!
April 15th just happens to be my 21st birthday. I’m a college student in southwest montana and Id love to be able to upgrade to a fantastic product like the Helios from my hand me down rod I was given. Id love to use this rod in this part of the country. Couldn’t think of a better birthday present!
I will use it to fish the Bighorn, Henry’s Fork, and Big Lost River this summer. Can’t wait to cast light and have um strike hard!!
Would love to fish with some inner city kids from the blue coller lawrence Mass where I grew up and “hook” a hole new generation. @12 my friends and I saved up for Kmart fly rods, which I still have and fish with! :).
Sweet!!!
i would use this rod in South East Idaho.
I would fly fish the Provo River catch and release, nothing better!
I would like to use it here in Colorado!
Definately be used on the Arkansas River near and around Salida, Colorado for brownies.
La Poudre… Looking for carp..
would love to add this rod to my collection to fish for trout and salmon in central nh and northern nh .
I would use this fly fishing pole at every lake and river a
I can in North Idaho where I live .
I would use it at every lake & river I could in north Idaho where I live .
Arkansas has the White River and next door the Norfork river which I fish regularly. Then when I’m home in Montana I fish the head waters of the Missouri whish is the best. Then occasionally I’ll end up in San juan New Mexico which has lots of foot ball size trout. I’d love to try bone fishing and tarpin one day
I will use this rod for the first time in the Big Horn River located in Wyoming!!
I will use this reel @ several rivers in the mountains of wyoming
Free Helios 2? Count me in!
Juniata River , pa
Use at Montauk or Islamorada
First adventure would definitely be out in eastern utah on the green river! Hard for students to afford such amazing gear!!
I will drive to the U.S.A from Canada fish with this amazing set up then drive home. Would be worth the trip. Or I’ll show Tom were to fish in Ontario and he can bring it with him and forget it here!! Legal issue solved either way we fish.
this H2 would save my arm after spending a week on the Salmon River in NY in search of big Kings and Steelhead
I just got back from a fun trip to Oahu- I did manage to wet a line…I’m sure it would have been WAY better with a Helios 2 in my hands-
anywhere where there be trout
the lower merri for searunners
all over the SW
emu creek perhaps
Hopkins falls
lake fyans
lake Bellfield
Wartook
tolondo
Rocklands
the Ovens
Goulburn R
Moyne R
Aringa
Gilear
Fiery Crk
upper merri
Yambuk
Gellibrand
Aire R
Kiewa R
Llano, Central Texas
First year fly fishing. Cant wait
love yer equipment
I will use it wherever my kayak takes me.
San Juan, Farmington, NM
A 9ft 4wt.
I’d use it at Cheesman Canyon … Most difficult place to fish in Colorado! Targeting those big ‘bows that snap your tippet every time
Wherever my punk friend fishes with his Sage…. To show him he doesn’t possess the best rod
I hope you guys can figure out how to use a rod this nice cuz you certainly don’t read well…
“All you have to do to enter the contest is use the gray widget below (Do not post your answer the comments section!) to tell us where you’d use your new Helios 2 the first time. You can double your chances of winning by subscribing to the Orvis Mailing list, too, using the same widget below. You can earn up to 10 more entries if you can get 10 friends to enter the contest through sharing.”
Good luck
Need one now. My 4 piece broke and I’m ready to get out there soon.
I would love to fish in the Juan.. with that.
South fork ririe idaho
I would rock an 8’6″ 4 weight near the first fish hatchery in the states in Caledonia NY! My favorite trout stream near there… where brown trout first came to the states!
Kenai River, Alaska!
Yes, I entered correctly. I would fish the lower Niagara River right in my back yard. Just a small hike into the gorge and you are ready for some amazing salmon and steelhead.
Tulpy
I’d be fishing the H2 on the North Platte near Casper, Wy.
Au Sable River – Grayling, Michigan
Come on Arlene 🙂 Don’t make it too simple to follow the rules, then anyone could do it.!! Thanks for the contest. I have my entry in and was “lured” into the website to look at the little bitty bugs. I am positive that I do not have a wide enough selection of wet flies……..sigh……….the prince nymph looks, well……..so Princely!! 🙂
Spearfish Canyon, SD
It would be a great rod to catch a Atlantic Salmon on the Miramichi River
Beaverkill River
New Mexico Rivers!
Would love to test this out on the Milwaukee River.
I would like to take a 5wt mid flex Helios 2 to a river in south east mountains in Norway for dry fly fishing after brown trout.
I would fish a top secret Wyoming brook trout meadow that my family visited annually when I was growing up. Hint: it’s in a national park… 🙂
Use it to pike fish here in Czech republic and Finland.
Gallitain River, Big Sky MT
Appalachia!
Lower Illinois River – Oklahoma
I would use this rod to fish Colorado including the South Platt, Blue River, and the Colorado River all summer.
Ken Lockwood Gorge , Nj
The Big Spring Creek in Pennsylvania, teaching my little brother the art of fly fishing and getting the next generation hooked on fly fishing!
The Schroon river in the Adirondacs
Tsimane – Bolivia
Florida Keys or watauga River
Oatka river, NY
Howard’s Creek in WV
It would go great with my husbands Anniversary trip to Alaska would be wonderful
White river arkansas
I would probably fish the Eleven Point River 1st. In one day I could fish trout and smallmouth bass.
Large mouth fishing on Amon G. Carter lake Bowie, Texas
Conejos River
I would use the Helios 2 to fish the rivers of Redding, Ca
I’ll put the 8wt switch to work this summer in AK… PICK ME!
I would use my rod for catching cutts and rainbows at Lynx creek.
I would love to have the h2 helios absolutely love the orvis company and there rod outfits are fantastic to fish with..
A perfect 50th birthday present!
Land Between the Lakes, TN
Id fish the Skeena river for some steelhead
I’d fish this everywhere until I caught a trout in each state.
Broad River Beaufort,SC
I currently working in the orvis stir in reno, Nevada but moving soon for college! I am going to be spending my summers in Oregon eventually guiding on the Klamath River! I already have a 6wt which I love but would LOVE a new 4wt took ss arouf up there as well! Thanks!
will bring it with me to Panama 2015!!
Val vidall wilderness, new mexico
Beautiful rod I sure would like to fish Montaul for stripers
I would fish the French Broad River with my son!
Asheville, NC!
Russian River
Any Missouri trout stream. From the State Parks to the wild streams around the state.
The muskegon river in Michigan!!
Laurel Hill creek in Western Pa
Encampment River wyoming or frying pan river in colorado
No question about it, Broken Bow OK, lower mountain fork river hopefully memorial day weekend, if not before fishing for Brown and rainbow trout, using wolly bugger , mini bead olive, Caddis, March Browns, I like to hike into zone 2 catch and release area, alternate locations evening hole or spillway creek patiently waiting…
Don’t even have to think. Would love to head out and land a beautiful Atlantic salmon. Put it to the test!
My son eats and breathes fishing ever since he has been 18 months old today he is 23 , he has been tying his own flys for sometime and is very good, and well to watch him fly fish for a mother is truly breathtaking , so graceful, so precise. To be the winner of these poles would mean the world to him. Thank you