Orvis Reels?

[greg j]

I hope you folks can answer a few reel questions for me. I’ve been flyfishing for small trout in the Sierra’s ever since I was a kid. Back then I used a couple of Phlueger reels. For the last ten years (maybe more) I’ve been using first an Orvis Battenkill and more recently a Battenkill Barstock reel. The Barstock is definetly an upgrade from the std. Battenkill. It’s lighter and of course cut from barstock instead of cast aluminum.
My question is why is Orvis often maligned. The Barstock reel and they’re other reels seem to be quality equipment to me. Or, am I missing something. I’m going to be picking up a couple of new rods soon, a 4 and 6wt, may an 8wt as well and these will be the rods I use for the next 25 years or so. I want to choose good reels for them but don’t feel the need to spend 200 plus on a reel. Bottom line, are Orvis reels a good quality product that should be considered a good deal in todays market ? And/or is Orvis often over looked because it’s a large chain store/catalog merchandiser that doesn’t have the “real flyfisherman” appeal?

The rods I hope to buy this week are the Winston Bllx in a 9′ 4wt and 9′ 6wt…

My thanks in advance,
sage1

[larry offner]

I have 5 Orvis reels, the original Battenkill, two Bar Stock and two Mid Arbors.

[Tim Angeli]

From my experience Orvis makes quality products and their reels are no exception.

[paul taylor]

i love orvis products.

[Mike Anderson]

For the money Orvis is hard to beat. I used to buy a lot of their Bar Stock Reels. The CFO and the Bar Stock and several others are good reels and they had a very loyal following until…. Once they moved from England to China or wherever they moved to I quit buying. They, like several other companies had a great product with a great following but they let greed get between them and the customers. It cost them my business.

I really like the add with that bamboo rod they sell for a few thousand dollars matched with an Asian made CFO on it….. Why not just put a Zebco 202 on it.

[ed felker]

All my reels are Orvis. I’m getting away from Orvis rods for one reason or another, but my reels are still Orvis and I’ve never had even a hint of a problem with any of them.

Someone else mentioned the Battenkill large arbor, I picked up a IV at a show once (that’s the size that’s been discontinued) and have been using it on my 8wt for salmon. It gets a heavy duty workout with salmon and works really well. It’s too small for that 8 though, I’m getting a 7 next month and look forward to using that reel for that, my new smallmouth rod.

(I’ve searched high and low for a spare spool for that IV, by the way, if someone has one let me know.)

[charlie kreitler]

The reel on my 9 weight that I use for stripers and bluefish is an Orvis Mach V. Hard to get a good salt reel at the price. It does it’s job beautifully– resists salt corrosion, nice smooth drag, and pretty lightweight. I’ve found their customer service to be great.

There is a contingent that look on Orvis as the Walmart of fly fishing. However, some of them turn around and shop at Cabela’s. Go figure. 😉

[Joel Thompson]

It’s interesting to me that a guy with the name Sage1 is buying a couple of Winston rods. That said I think you will be very happy with the BIIx. I have it in the 4wt. and love it!

As for reels go Orvis would not be my first choice. I would go Ross. If you go Ross you will probably get that 25 years out them. I wouldn’t take that bet on an Orvis. That’s just me though.

Joel

[greg j]

Thanks for all of the replies. Yup, I’ve looked at a lot of reels that are no doubt better than the Orvis but they’re a lot more money too. But now that the Barstocks are made in China I’ll look to a USA mfg such as Ross.

As far as my log in name…Sage is my dogs name. He’s an EP and Winston would have been a good name for him as well. Maybe that’ll be the next pup. Also here in NV we’re surrounded by sage and Sage Grouse are a favorite bird of mine…so Sage it was.

Good Fishing – Sage1

[Joel Thompson]

Hey Sage1,

I use to have a yellow lab named Sage. Great name for a dog!

You won’t be disappointed with the Ross. The Cimarron or the Rhythm would be in your price range and are nice reels the you should never have to worry about. I personally have three different styles of Ross. The Gunnison, the Rhythm, and the Evolution. I love them all!

What part of Nevada are you in?

Joel

[trevor smart]

I typically shy away from buying their products, but the two reels I use are orvis, CFO and Barstock.

[Abe Mathews]

My reels are Bar Stocks, but it was important to me not to have an asian-made reel.

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