For some anglers their fly reels are the crown jewel of their equipment collection. I’ve known some astute fly fisherman that have had severe addictions to the latest and greatest creations from all sorts of manufactures.
Like a wide eyed cutthroat carefully inspecting a tasty Wulff pattern, their eyes glaze over as they marvel at the shiny surfaces, spinning knobs, and intricate machining. They spin the reel and close their eyes as they listen to every gorgeous clicking note of the drag system - imagining the fish of their dreams speeding away and singing the sweet song of fishing glory. Who could blame them really? Fly reels are just cool and lot of them are just little slices of design and performance perfection.
The other day I spent a day on the water with the Redington Drift, a fully machined $100 click and pawl reel, and the more I lovingly used it, the more it really got me thinking about the state of the fly reel market these days.
I seem to run into more and more anglers that are fishing with reels from a bygone era. In some cases preferring to load these relics on to brand new $500 - $800 fly rods. With all of the crazy new advances in reel technology, materials, machining and design, what is it that would compel a confident young angler to seek out a fly reel made twenty to forty years ago?
Perhaps it's just that these anglers have a flair for all things retro or perhaps there is something more going on. I would suggest that many of the offerings in the fly reel market are just getting too cool. Some produced lately look more like offerings from the Orange County Choppers web site, or latest Hollywood space invader movie then fly reels.
Don’t get me wrong. I marvel at the workmanship, incredible detail, and clever design like a lot of people but sometimes it seems like in an all out effort to be cool and different, the simple things become lost. Things like the sound, the feel, the handle, and the fit into the reel seat of the rod. Not to mention a little simplicity when it comes to the price.
I challenge fly reel manufactures as they ponder new directions for their products to continue to get back to basics. Simple lines, less aggressive porting, simple machining, efficient drag systems, incredible durability, relatively few parts, and prices that make sense for everyone.
Among some top brands it seems the race has become more and more about just outdoing the other with crazier technology and wilder looks in an effort to create a product that justifies an astonishing price point.
I’m drawn to those products that are beautiful in their simplicity and that seem to almost “hide” the technology. In this way, I believe a consumer becomes surprised by the unexpected and superior performance instead of just expecting it. When you stare down at a fly reel with nearly logic defying machining, splashes of carbon fiber, five different types of Teflon, hula hoop sized arbors, and prices that make you weep, it BETTER perform. It BETTER last forever and I BETTER be the coolest mofo on the river. Sometimes these designs often look like they would be more at home sitting on the dash board of an Aston Martin then a Ford F150.
People pay top dollar for the iPad not because it is the glitziest and most fully featured product in the planet, but because its hidden power is surprising and the design is incredibly simple, yet incredibly useful. I’d just like to see a little more of that in the fly reel market and a little less Battlestar Gallactica.
Perfection for me would take the best of what came from the timeless old school fly reel design and marry it to the wonders of today’s technology for the purpose of reducing costs and increasing durability. I’d like to see less focus on what looks good under glass or in your favorite online digital magazine and more focus on making things simple, beautiful, durable and affordable.
I’d like to hear what you have to say on this. As always, thanks for reading and good fishing.
Do you fish with an old school reel? Do you want more of the latest and greatest? Are you a fly reel junkie and just love the fancy materials, crazy looks, and wild designs? What would you like to see in fly reel design? If you were at the reigns what aspects would be most important to you?
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