Okuma Tackle Corporation pride themselves on producing really high-quality fly fishing reels that, simply, just do the job really well without being overly complicated or over-engineered.  This sounds simple, but not over-engineering is sometimes quite an engineering feat.  Needless to say, Okuma has done this very well, because they have a line of fly fishing reels that are of a really good value at an affordable price for most anglers.  Below is a brief summary of the several different lines of fly reels they produce.

Okuma Helios Fly Reels

Okuma Helios Fly Reel

The intelligent design of okuma helios fly reels is a true testament to the quality of engineering at Okuma Tackle Corp.  The spool and frame are machined from a solid piece of aluminum with really tight tolerances.  Their performance is because of their two ball-bearing and one-way roller bearing design.  These bearings ride on a precisely machined stainless shaft.  The Okuma Helios fly fishing reels smooth line retrieve and large arbor spool immediately give way to the reel's drag engagement when a fish is hooked.  The Okuma Helios reels produce a very large range of drag adjustability with very minimal startup inertia required.  This is achieved by way of  a maintenance-free waterproof drag system made up of a multi-disc cork and stainless steel design.

Okuma Integrity Fly Reels

Okuma Integrity Fly Reel

The Okuma Integrity line of fly reels give just about any angler the advantage of large-arbor performance.  This is done by way of a patented oversized stainless steel-based disc drag housed in a die-cast aluminum frame.  The okuma integrity fly reel models start at 5/6 weight and go to 10/11 for the big fish.  It features the one-way roller bearing, which runs on a precision stainless spool shaft.  This reel is nicely designed, while understated and ready for anything you throw at it.

Okuma SLV Fly Reels

Okuma SLV Fly Reel

The Okuma SLV fly fishing reel is the latest example of how Okuma delivers the best possible quality of products, while keeping the price affordable for all anglers.  The SLV fly reel can keep pace with just about any fish, because of its large arbor spool design and fast line retrieval.  If features the great drag system with the one-way roller bearing and cork discs that is standard on much more expensive fly reels.  The frame is die-cast aluminum with the precision machined stainless steel spool shaft.  The Okuma SLV fly reel series starts at a 2/3 model up through a 10/11 for the big boys.  This is a great value at a high level of quality.  The replacement spools are very affordable, allowing you to carry multiple line setups, easily.

Okuma Sierra Fly Reels

Okuma Sierra Fly Reel

The Okuma Sierra fly reel is the one that started it all for Okuma over a decade, ago.  It is the best value for a reliable and simple fly reel.  The Okuma Sierra Fly Fishing Reel's price-point lets you carry a complete selection of line types and deploy them at a moment’s notice.  The Okuma Sierra fly reel's Alumalite frame, one-way roller bearing and Teflon/stainless steel drag system make it a pleasure to use every time.

Okuma Cascade Fly Reels

Okuma Cascade Fly Reel

With a large arbor spool and a super lightweight graphite frame, the Okuma Cascade fly reels make it easy for anyone to start to enjoy fly fishing.   It is more than just affordable, it is truely amazing the quality of fly reel you get for the price of the okuma cascade fly reel.   It has all of the same great features like the large arbor, precision bearing/shaft machining and highly-responsive drag system.  All of that in a very affordable package that you might never grow out of.

The family of Okuma Fly Reels all feature the understated and sturdy reel frames with precision machined components offering seamless line retrieval and great performance.  Remember, the Okuma Sierra fly reel series has been the industry example of high-quality at a great price. The Teflon drag system and Diecast Aluminum Frame have been Okuma signatures since their inception. The Okuma Helios series is the most recent addition to Okuma's fly fishing reels engineered by focusing on simple elegance and performance.  Despite the variety between their fly fishing reel lines, Okuma's reels all have the same core features: simple design, reliable and affordable.

The Original Post is Located Here: Okuma Fly Reels, Simply Great Engineering & Design

Hardy Rods--story of Hardy Bros Tackle Makers

For over one hundred years the House of Hardy has been known as one of the worlds finest makers of fishing tackle. Their name is synonymous with quality and excellence. They are recognized worldwide as one of the greatest names in fishing tackle.

William Hardy and his brother John James formed the Hardy Bros partnership in 1873. Initially they dealt in high quality firearms but soon changed direction. They were both avid fishermen and this love became their business. Thus was started the famous line of Hardy rods and reels.

The early rods were made from greenheart,lancewood and hickory. In 1880 bamboo was added and soon the company invented split bamboo rods. Split cane rods were made from six segments split from a bamboo cane. These were glued together to form a tapered hexagonal rod. The Hardy Palakona split cane rod won them a gold medal in an 1881 exhibition.

Since then many kinds and models of split cane rod have been made by Hardy. They vary from the lightest of trout fly rods,through huge old salmon fly rods of eighteen feet in length. Even larger are rods made to handle the Mahseer. This huge and powerful game fish was caught in rivers in India where many Englishmen dwelt in the heyday of the British Empire.

In 1891 Hardy introduced their model Perfect fly reel and patented it's design. This very fine fly reel has continued in production with minor alterations up to recent times. A favorite of both anglers and collectors the model Perfect reel is perhaps their best known product. This excellent reel was made in all sizes from small trout reels to large sizes for salmon fishing.

Hardy Bros invented many improvements in fishing tackle design. They made spiral lock joints,for salmon and trout rods which prevent loosening of the joints. Stud lock joints and split end joints were also a Hardy Bros invention. Screw grip and W fittings for rod handles and bridge rings to allow freer line movement were other developments.

The first ball bearing fishing reels were made by Hardy Bros. Their invention of a check mechanism inside the reel arbor was a first. In 1911 they introduced the first large arbor reel. Hardy Bros were a true innovator in the field of highest quality fishing tackle.

The Hardy Bros partnership became a limited company in 1911 and in 1928 it became a publicly owned company. During world war two fishing tackle production had to take second place to munitions manufacturing. Immediately after the war Hardy Bros continued to expand its manufacture of fine fishing tackle.

Hardy Bros has won more than its share of awards for excellence over the years. A Hardy reel won the first American Kudos Award For Design Excellence. In 1984 House of Hardy won five Japanese Industrial design awards--the first non Japanese company to attain such an honor.

The House Of Hardy continues at the present time to manufacture the very best of fishing rods , reels and tackle. Their name continues to inspire anglers all over the world to own a Hardy product. Nothing else can quite compare.

Here is a cool video about hardy fly reel.

A 30 inch pike taken by bamboo fly rod maker Matt Schliske in the rocky mountains on a handmade 6 wt bamboo fly rod swinging streamers. The fly reel is a winston hardy perfect.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

The Original Post is Located Here: Story of Hardy Brothers Rod & Reel Makers

Check out the 2009 Hardy Salmon reels.

John Shaner, the foremost Hardy tackle expert, provides an overview of the 2009 Hardy salmon reels.
Video Rating : 3 / 5

An interesting hardy fly reel clip for you to check out. Hope you like it.

A quick look at the new Greys Streamlite 3/4# fly reel.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Here is a cool video about hardy fly reel.

John Shaner, the foremost Hardy tackle expert, demonstrates assembly and maintainence of the Hardy Perfect reels.

The Original Post is Located Here: Hardy Salmon Reel Reviews

I hope this ross fly reel video really helps you.

Ross Reels USA / Ross Worldwide reviews the Vexsis fly reel series
Video Rating : 5 / 5

Let us know whether this ross fly reel video helps you.

Get a first look at the re-engineered Ross Evolution fly reel. Learn more at frontrangeanglers.com

The Original Post is Located Here: Ross Vexsis Fly Reel Series

I thought you would like this hardy fly reel video.

Hardy tackle expert John Shaner gives a brief look at some of the more common collectible Hardy reels.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

I thought you would like this hardy fly reel video.

Andy Mill and Capt. Paul Tejera test the new Hardy fly rods and reels. Hardy is ready for the Salt with these new models that surpass all standards in the industry. Andy demonstrates his superb casting skills as he experiences the power and feel of these prototype rods! They also look at the newest saltwater fly reels from Hardy.
Video Rating: 1 / 5

The Original Post is Located Here: Hardy Collectible Reels

Here is a cool video about ross fly reel .

Testing fly reels with a motorcycle. From Field & Stream's flyfishing blog, Fflogger.com. The Ross Evolution.

Let us know whether this ross fly reel video helps you.

Ross Reels USA / Ross Worldwide reviews the Momentum LT fly reel series
Video Rating: 5 / 5

The Original Post is Located Here: Motorcycle Fly Reel Test: Ross Evolution

Here is a cool video about ross fly reel .

Ross Reels USA / Ross Worldwide reviews the CLA fly reel series

The Original Post is Located Here: Ross CLA Fly Reel Series

Abel Fly Reels: Fly Fishing With Style

You probably would agree that Abel fly reels are high-performing fly fishing reels. But, they also do some very cool things with the "look" of their fly reels.
On this page you'll find some cool Abel Fly Reels designs. Check out the search results on the right side to get yourself a new reel that will differentiate you from most of the other fly fishermen out there.

To kick it up another notch, Abel has teamed with artist James Prosek to offer limited edition, custom finished fly fishing reels. No other manufacturer has matched the artistic design of Abel Products, so it’s a natural teaming of Abel and Prosek. Looking at these Abel fly reels, you have to wonder; are they art work you should be displaying on the wall? Or are they functional, hard working fly reels? Well, they could be both, but they are first and foremost every bit the hard working Abel fly reels you have come to love. The time-tested design of the Abel Super Series fly reel has long been one of our favorites and now, with the James Prosek limited edition fish graphics, these fly reels have reached a new plateau combining functional form and art.

If you are looking for something different from your typical industrial style fly reels, like most all fly reels on the market, then you might want to consider these cool fly reels.  The graphics on them make them stand out and give you that extra uniqueness, when on the stream.  It doesn't hurt that they perform really well, too.  Check out the complete line of Abel Fly Reels on this page.

Look around, you should find some great deals on new and used Abel fly reels here.

Let us know what you think of these cool Abel Fly Reel designs...

Happy Fishing,
Mike

The Original Post is Located Here: Abel Fly Reels w/ Cool Custom Trout Finishes

At Abel Automatic, years of testing and engineering have produced the Super Series Quick Change (QC) reel.   Simply back off the drag knob, push in and rotate the center cap for quickest spool release in the industry.  I think you'll agree, if you've tried one.

Super Series QC models utilize 6061-T651 cold finished aerospace grade aluminum for the spool and frame.  Here are some other features of this great reel.

• Hi-Grade C64299 Silicon Aluminum Bronze drive system.
• Buna sealed micro-bearings are ISO 9001:200 and AS9100 certified FAA TSO C149 aircraft bearings.
• Cork Drag System is made entirely in our factory. We use a superior high grade cork with a little neats-foot oil on it.
• Double Pawl System; Advantages over single pawl system include: increased reliability, back-up strength and unique sound.
• Quick change spool.
• Made in the USA.

Abel makes a great reel.  I've heard they were used in over 50 world records.  That is impressive.  They also have some really cool designs and graphics that are cutting edge for fly reels .  You should check them out.  We've searched to find you some great new and used Abel fly reels.  They are on the right side of this page. ----->

Also, you can get one at RiverBum.com (see information below)...

Please, share your opinions on this reel or Abel Automatic by leaving a comment below.

Thanks,
Mike

The Original Post is Located Here: Abel Fly Reel: Super Series Quick Change

The new Battenkill Large Arbor reels from Orvis are great reels for all kinds of fly fishing setups. Their trout reel is a perfect combination of large arbor performance in a light weight fly reel design. This rod has plenty of room for all the backing you will ever need. Another great advantage of the large arbor reel is the ability to retrieve line much faster. It retrieves line 1.5 times faster than the Battenkill Mid Arbor and 3 times faster than the Battenkill Bar Stock reels.

These reels have a really good drag system. It has a large knob that has "dimples" and numbers to easily set your drag. They have a smooth and reliable carbon and stainless center disc drag with a one-way rollerbearing. Each fly reel is machined from durable and lightweight 6061 bar-stock aluminum with a hard anodized aluminum bushing for ultralight weight.

Check the listings on the right. I've seen many of them sell for under $150. That is a good bit cheaper than buying one from Orvis. Why pay more than you need to?

Check out the fly reel's video review below to see this reel in action and get more details about it's features.

Happy Reeling,
The Swanky Deal Team

The Original Post is Located Here: Orvis Battenkill Fly Rod Reel: Review