by sschung » November 2nd, 2012, 11:44 pm
Well guys,
This rod really is that much different than the previous Helios, and a bit easier to cast than the Winston MXIII SE, Sage One, Some top end Hardy stick which I forgot to get the name of and a BleulahSalt stick and their new prototype. It was Gary Bulla, Myself, Marshal Bessette and I beleive the fourth was Murray Hatch/Dave Wratchford (Blurry since both guys were popular and stepping in and out of the rotation). Basicly we each got our favorite rod and casted all five rods against the H2; one rod after the other with each taking a turn through the rods. The test was to start with 60' of line on the water. You go streight into a back cast using a water haul to a forward cast with a single haul. There was no false casting, and all of the rods were 10wts. casting floating lines. The H2 ended up being the easier one to cast this manouver. The reason we did not do any false casting is that this is typically how the casting goes in Baja and Catalina/Paddies with breezing fish. The main thing I noticed was that there was no presure (pulling torque) on my shoulder with the back cast. It was explained to me what I was feeling or lack of feeling was the leverage weight. The top sections of the rods are a lot tougher than the Helios to better withstand a hit by a beaded or eyed fly. The H2 felt close in weight to the Helios and did not cost much more than my Helios. The blank was actually lighter, but the new paint and * were heavier than before, thus negating any weight reduction. Marshal a dye true green Winston rod minion was not happy when he like the H2 better becuase it was more responsive and the easiest to water haul. Gary is trying to figure out how to get some form the Orvis staff to goes on his trip. I suggest a trade. Murry ran of; as I am sure he did not want to admit that he like it better than the Sage one (the ONE felt like it had a little more leverage torque). Dave was babbling I don't know what. I basicly was supprised at how easy it was to cast the big sticks. The H2 actually blows my Zero-G, Xi3, and TCR out of the water. It feels a bit more crisp than the ONE; the Sage tip feels a little soft to me. The rod required less effort and was more forgiving than my Helios. The Beulah felt heavier and stiffer. The Winston to me was softer, and required more work to control. We did not compare these rods to TFO, ECHO or Reddington (and Scott was too far of a walk), since it would not have been an equal comparason. In the hands of a bad butt caster this rod can hit the needle in the hay stack in compramising conditions, for us lesser casters this rod will make that hard cast more of a doable option. My advise for this rod and the Sage one/Helios is slow you casting stroke down. Cast like your casting a medium fast action rod. You will get more out of the rod. I see too many casters who are casting way too fast and barely loading the rod. On the 9wt. - 12wt and soon my 14wt. I use a standard trout stroke barely extending my arm on the back cast to bomb the line out. I would encourage everyone to grab all of the top rods and cast them against each other side by side. This would be an excellent thing to do at the up coming Marriotts Orvis day.
As for the Perkins paying for their trips, well lets just say more is given to them than they will ever have to pay for. I think the travel guys figured out that by getting these big wig iconicons to say they go to their lodge/use their outfitter and so forth is pure gold advertising. I've seen it first hand where outfit owners say come on down it gratis. I wish I could be that lucky and born of that pedigree. I guess like in college there has to be some of us at the bottom of the bell cure to make up for the guys at the top.
Yes the H2 is a pretty nice rod, but that is whatyou get when you have two super geniuses designing rods and stuff all day. Look up Shaun Combs, and you will notice that he use to work on nuc sub power plant systems (in Fly Rod and Reel article). I think a lot of neat stuff will be coming out of there for a while since most of the design guys/gal are all under forty, except Tom R. The young guns at Orvis rod design have taken over.
Shane
U. Kern: n/a cfs
20% lighter "in hand". 20% stronger. 100% 
more impact strength.
Maybe they are busy trying to come up with the Sage One to the 10th Power to smash the H2.
butt!!!
