Fly Reels

Abel Quality Products just keeps doing what they do best: making bullet-proof reels that require minimum maintenance and perform beyond the expectations of anglers who fish them hard. I'll admit to some concern over the transition this year that came with the sale of Abel to Sharpes, but the lineup at the show proved that Abel wants to maintain its position in the top tier of reel suppliers. Their new Super 5 Narrow (the $500 "S-5N") is a large-arbor trout reel designed for 5- and 6-weight rods and is a beauty. And of course Abel is continuing to produce special edition reels — this year a custom Super 9 designed by James Prosek and benefiting the Atlantic Salmon Federation ($1,200 including signed and numbered gicleè print) — that command top dollar. A final note: in 2007 all Super Series reels size 6 and larger and all Big Game reels will have two pawls rather than one; apparently this make them more reliable and they emit a distinctive "hum" rather than the classic ratchet sound when line is run off the reel.

Orvis meanwhile is introducing a little brother to its Vortex saltwater series in the form of a Battenkill Large Arbor Reel (see picture at left), which features an ultra-large arbor, a cork-to-Rulon center disk drag and ventilated aircraft-grade aluminum spool and frame. The new reel comes in three sizes: BMA IV ($198), BMA V ($229), and BMA VI ($249).

Ted Juracsik of Tibor spent a good part of the time showing off his new LineMaster line management device ($245), which is a multi-function tool designed to ease the pain of fly line storage, spooling and removal. As with all things Ted does, it's a marvel of engineering and includes some nifty accessories like a "leg saddle" for use in the field. And despite the fact that there is little new in the way of reels from Tibor this year, there is almost nothing bad to say about the Tibor line, which set the standard in design and engineering more than 25 years ago. It is worth mentioning the recently introduced QuickChange (QC) Series, though; it makes spool-swapping almost effortless.

Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) has new Terry Hayden Narrow Spool reels coming in size 1, and they are adding a size 3 model to the series. They're also introducing TFO Large Arbor Reels with draw bar/carbon fiber disk drags; there are four model sizes of these new reels, which are designed for 6- to 12-weight rods and range in price from $224 to $259.

Ross Reels, maker of the well-known Evolution, Cimarron and other trout reels, came to the show this year with three new highly affordable large-arbor reels for anglers, the Flystart ($39-55), Flycast ($60-75) and Flywater ($89-119) models. All three reels come in 4 sizes, suitable for 3- through 8-weight lines. They also introduced the brand new Momentum Series of reels ($395-595 for 7- through 14-weight lines), which incorporate a carbon fiber and Rulon drag system and are machined from their 6061-T6 proprietary aluminum alloy. Ross is also going to offer copper-colored Rhythm and Evolution reels beginning in September, with copper colored CLA reels available by year's end.

Redington has dropped their Brakewater reel — to the disappointment of many who liked its performance/value — and replaced it with the CDL Titanium Series Large Arbor Reel. The CDL Titanium starts at $179 and comes in four different line-weight sizes (spools are $85), so it actually comes in at a lower price point than the Brakewater, and we're hoping that it delivers similar performance in the field. The reel features an oversized sealed cork disk drag and 6061 aluminum bar stock spool and frame, plus a quick-change spool mechanism, so Redington isn't skimping on materials or functional features. Lightness was also a key consideration in the design of the new reel. And Redington has completely redesigned their affordable Crosswater reel ($55 though you might be able to find it for $35).

Sage's line of 3000 Series and 2500 Series reels is really eye-catching. Both series are ventilated spool reels with sealed graphite disk drags; the main difference seems to be that the drag on the smaller 2500 Series is offset. All are large-arbor reels and are probably the nicest looking new reels we saw at the show this year. The 2500s range in price from $300 to $375, the 3000s from $280 to $700.

Islander has one new entrant in the new products category this year: a 5-weight version of its popular LX series. The LX3.2 has all of the features of Islander's top-of-the-line series — a hard-coat anodized 7075 aluminum clutch with a Teflon and graphite impregnated cork clutch surface and hard-anodized aluminum frame and spool — and will be offered for $450.

The Nautilus booth drew quite a few chuckles this year with it's bold red-lettered banner proclaiming "Tested on Animals." And their reels were featured in the winning 5-minute video clip of Frank Smethurst and his brother wrestling roosterfish from the Baja surf. (Unlike many other high-end reel manufacturers, Nautilus uses a sealed cork and carbon fiber drag system, which it claims is impervious to sand and other debris that might interfere with drag function.) This year Nautilus is bringing out a brand new series of reels, the Nautilus NV ($545-645), in three sizes to match line weights 6 to 12. Available in November, the new reels feature a titanium spool shaft and ceramic micro bearings, plus a special thrust bearing that Nautilus says guarantees zero crank resistance.

Other notable new reels: Cortland's "Current" Mid-Arbor Machined Reel and Endurance Cassette Reels, Bauer's Rogue and Mac models, and Vosseler's Pro-Flyfishing RC L Series.

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