Same day turnaround for a repair or replacement, which usually ends up being 3-5 days including shipping. That was because they were cast aluminum, not machined, (the new Hardys are machined). The handle isn’t nearly large enough, nor does it have much swell towards the end. In general, we like the Ultralite 4000 CA DD more since its larger arbor will help you to retrieve line faster. If the reel looks like a million bucks and performs like it too, any “normal” fly fishermen is going to want it. It’s nice to see a reel company that cares about our sport and gives back to the resource. Nothing pimps out your rod better than a color Abel paintjob. If you are looking for a lightweight reel, with a large arbor (and excellent retrieval rate), the Lamson Lightspeed Series IV size II is an excellent option. If you are the type of person who is very careful and seldom falls or drops your reel, then the Lightspeed will work for you. Keep in mind that a reel with a small arbor may have the same retrieval rate as a large arbor reel when loaded with the correct amount of backing. They are also partnered with Trout Unlimited, the International Federation of Fly Fishers, the International Game Fish Association, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. All Torque reels are machined from T6 solid bar stock aircraft grade aluminum that is tempered to significantly increase its strength. Seeing how much we like the Orvis Hydros SL II for saltwater, (it’s one of our favorite best buy 8-weight reels), we thought the 5-weight version was going to do equally well in fresh. Also, you’ll want to oil the spindle and grease the clutches from time to time. For most trout reels,you are going to set the drag in one position and not change it. Artist finishes range from $280-$500, like the ones from Borski, Prosek, DeYoung, Larko, or the Grateful Dead series. http://www.bauerflyreel.com//wp-content/uploads/Service-and-Repair-Form-v3.pdf. The idea is to set your drag lightly enough so that if you hook a hot fish that burns out on 6X, you don’t get broken off on that first run. Weight in Ounces Using our a digital scale that reads to .001 oz. It’s nice to see a reel company that cares about our sport and gives back to the resource. The drag is adjustable but it doesn’t really change the drag pressure much. When I go trout fishing, rarely do I hook a fish that is “worthy” of playing on the reel. Reel case design is perhaps the least important category in which we awarded points. The new Sage Click is perhaps the best example. Machined in Boise, Idaho from high quality aluminum and stainless steel, Lamson also adds a “Hard Alox” finish to the Lightspeed, which has proven to reduce scratches. It has a reliable drag, utilizes a relatively large arbor and doesn’t break the bank. There is no additional cost for their many hub colors which include: Sunset Orange, Royal Blue, Neon Pink, Aqua, Jet Black, Lime, Crimson, Graphite, and Violet 3D. Hatch reels are made in San Diego, California from the highest-grade aluminum bar stock available. One thing we wish the BVK had was a wider range of drag, and we know from experience this reel isn’t nearly as durable over the years as others. Here’s another reel that has landed countless trout over the years. Those clicker pawls in both the Tibor and Abel reels need lube occasionally, and the little ball bearing detents need oil. Lifetime warranty covers parts and labor for the original owner only. Over a period of time dirt and grit can fill in the latch hole, making it difficult to move the latch. No one in the reel industry comes close to Abel’s ability to customize a fly reel. Overall, we were very impressed with the Sage Click 4/5/6. We only wish it were a little less expensive. Last but not least, the price could be lower to compete with Lamson or Ross, but consider this – Bozeman doesn’t make thousands and thousands of reels each year. Most reel cases today are neoprene and are very effective at protecting reels. For anglers looking for more backing capacity, the 5000 is a good option as it will hold 160 yards of 20 pound backing while the 4000 will adequately hold 120 yards of 20 pound backing. Can’t lose latch. Since the arbor isn’t very large, the Battenkill fits a lot more backing – 90 yards of 20# with an SA MPX WF-5-F or 80 yards of 20# with a 406 DT-5-F line. Nautilus “X” (XM 4/5)     $275.00 – reel,    $145 x/spool. For not much extra weight (only .3 ounces more fully loaded) we think the 350 LA is the better performing reel as it will bring in line faster. If you can afford the Guru series II reel ($209) then get it instead. Things we would like to see include a larger arbor, more spin like the Cimarron and Animas, a larger handle with more swell towards the end, an easier to grip drag knob, a little more range of drag, and either better drag knob detents or more resistance to keep the drag from accidentally getting bumped off from the selected setting. The Galvan Torque is such an impressive reel that its shadow causes people to overlook Galvan’s more affordable offerings. One thing we noticed with the Argus is that the finish scratches easily. We also felt that when possible we needed to come up with real world tests that you can duplicate. The Animas 5/6 = 150 yards of backing. ), which unfortunately makes the reel much heavier than it needs to be when fully loaded. Guides and price conscious anglers alike gravitate to the Guru since it is Lamson’s least expensive, fully machined reel, made in the USA. This wide range of adjustment allows precise tuning of the drag to the desired pressure. The Booker Prize, formerly known as the Booker Prize for Fiction (1969–2001) and the Man Booker Prize (2002–2019), is a literary prize awarded each year for the best novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland. As a true “spinner” type reel, the Nexus’ lack of retrieval resistance allows the spool to spin smoothly and “coast” for a while with its quality ball-bearings. Although the RX reels are more expensive than others, for each reel sold, Bauer donates 10% to conservation and fish restoration. The X reels come in two standard colors, Clear or Black. With updated ergonomics, more porting (and less mass) than previous Lightspeeds, the Series IV is a serious performance category contender. Even one direct hit from a fall will could ruin this reel beyond repair. Although the Lamson Speedster scored lower than the Lightspeed overall, (mostly due to a superior drag), it far outperforms the Lightspeed in rate of line retrieval. Cork Drag – not the smoothest at higher settings, also requires maintenance, Heirloom quality machining – very solid and durable – with proper maintenance it will fish hard for 100 years, #20 (tie) Hardy Ultralite 4000 CA DD   $275 – reel,   $149  x/spool. The #1 reason to pay more for a 5 weight reel? Still, the craftsmanship on this reel is absolutely amazing. For almost all of the reels in our test, there was no start up inertia. The Ross CO LT’s handle is a great shape and is made of a material that is supposed to be “grippy” even when wet. So for me, having a reel that can bring in excess line quickly is more important than owning a reel with a strong drag. The result is a more reliable reel, that can take a beating with the same large arbor and fast retrieval rate as before. This was a subjective observation. We were not willing to take the manufacturer’s word or specs as gospel. The reel’s foot is ported as well to help lighten things. Last but not least is the weight – the 5+ feels very heavy in hand naked much less when it is fully loaded with backing and line. Once the drag is set, you don’t want it to get accidentally knocked off its setting by rubbing against your clothing, or that log you crawled over to get to the stream. While the handle is an excellent size it could use a bit of swell at the end instead of tapering as it does. When you do get the line on the reel, you’ll want to palm the reel rather than relying on the Click’s drag strength. Retrieval Sound: Very pleasant “plastic purr” retrieval sound, Outgoing drag sound:  Decent plastic purr going out. Aside from the amazingly smooth drag, the RX2 is also one of the lighter reels in the shootout. They are also environmentally conscious and support the North Atlantic Salmon Fund and donate 1% for the planet on each reel sold. A lot can be said for the Redington Zero. Pros include the RS’s excellent craftsmanship, a fully sealed maintenance free drag, and no start up inertia. HyperX QuadCast - USB Condenser Gaming Microphone with Anti-Vibration Shock Mount, Pop Filter, and Red LED - Black At $99.95 we think Lamson did a great job at making a reel that not only performs well, but is inexpensive. The Ross Colorado LT received 5 perfect scores, including craftsmanship, maintenance, spool to frame tolerance, start up inertia, and weight. Number one, it is much more durable. Reels with larger arbors, on the other hand, took less backing and consequently weighed less. If you want the better drag, go with the Lightspeed. The Medalist has the capacity for a huge amount of backing, (175 yards of 20#! Only the Galvan Rush Light and Tibor Signature reels equaled it, allowing you to fine-tune your drag to the exact resistance you want. For example using a NRX LP 9 foot #5 rod and a Galvan T-5 reel. Tiny bit of suction to get spool off, Drag knob:  Unique cut out – easy to twist but somewhat odd shape, Drag Detents:  Excellent drag detents keep drag setting from getting knocked off, Range of Drag  – Not great (at least between .25 – 2 pounds), Handle:  Nice shape and size (good swell), Feels a bit heavy  (due to heavy drag mechanism, same one used on bigger Hydros SLII’s), A lighter reel with less drag power would be better, #22 (tie) TFO BVK II $249.95 – reel,  $149.95  x/spool. Turnaround time is usually 5-6 days including shipping. You can decide for yourself if a smaller (and lighter) reel is better for your needs, or if a larger reel with more backing capacity is best for the style of fishing you enjoy. Aside from the killer finishes that Abel has to offer, the Super 4N has a few other features that are worth noting. The Zero also lost points under drag adjustment and range of drag (since there is no adjustment). The Cimarron II comes only in black. 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