SUNDERLAND, VT -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/26/08 -- The Orvis Company's new ZG Helios fly rod series was named "Best of the Best" for 2008 by Field & Stream Magazine in this month's annual gear review issue. Coming on the heels of last year's win for the Zero Gravity fly rod series, the award reinforces Orvis' position as the world leader in fly rod design, performance, and manufacture.

You Get What You Pay For

While noting the gains Orvis made in creating the world's lightest fly rod, Field & Stream editors were equally impressed by the added distance and accuracy a Helios rod gives to one's cast:

"We tried to break it on big fish, but couldn't. We cast everything from dry flies to big streamers. It dropped midges on the money in ponds and busted foam hoppers through heavy winds, proving to be responsive and accurate on the light side, and burly in the down-and-dirty.

"And it cast well. In fact, we observed 10-to20-foot distance gains unfurl within a few casts for almost everyone. A 5-weight feels like a 3-weight; a 10-weight feels like an 8-weight. In the end, we were convinced you get what you pay for, and we couldn't quite say that about some other rods."

Technological Leaps in Weight Reduction and Durability

Replacing industry standard epoxy resins with thermoplastic, thermoset resins and fiberglass scrims with carbon fiber scrims, the Orvis designers were able to make significant, simultaneous leaps in weight reduction as well as durability.

Made by hand in Manchester, Vermont, the Helios is presently offered in 13, 4-piece models ranging from an 8'4" 3-weight to a 9' 10-weight, with more models due out over the course of the year. Starting at $755, all Helios models are configured as 4-piece and come with a beautiful woven graphite reel seat, translucent olive finish, REC recoil guides that resist breakage, and a matching, woven graphite rod tube.

Read more about the ZG Helios at www.orvis.com/helios.

About Orvis

Founded in 1856 as a small bamboo fly rod shop in Manchester, Vermont, Orvis has been leading the fly fishing industry in innovation and quality for more than 150 years. Orvis donates five percent of pre-tax profits each year to environmental programs. Read more about Orvis and the new Helios rod on their website at www.orvis.com.

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James Hathaway
Manager
Communications & Conservation

The Orvis Company
178 Conservation Way
Sunderland, VT 05250
802.362.8525 phone
802.362.8851 fax