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Everything is relative
There’s no such thing as a typical large-arbor reel.
There are only specific, individual models, and the
advantages you may gain by using any one of them are
relative to the reel you’d be using instead. Making such
comparisons is pretty straightforward. All other things
being equal—type of drag, overall quality of the reel
and so on—the important variables are spool diameter,
arbor diameter, line capacity and the one significant
consideration I haven’t mentioned yet: the weight of the
reel.
If line capacity is a primary concern, as for instance
in saltwater fishing, compare reels of equivalent
capacities, say WF8F plus 200 yards backing. If a
large-arbor reel gives an increase in outside spool
diameter without an increase (or perhaps even a
reduction) in weight, or both, you’ll realize some
efficiencies of the design.
In trout fishing, where you may make hundreds of casts a
day, overall weight may be your primary concern. In this
case, compare reels of equivalent weight. If a
large-arbor reel gives an increase in spool diameter
while providing adequate (or increased) backing
capacity, you’ve come out ahead.
Note, though, that if weight is not a significant
consideration, you can gain many of the advantages of a
large-arbor reel simply by using a conventional reel
that has a bigger spool diameter. The increased amount
of backing on a bigger reel essentially mimics a large
arbor. (In fact, this idea is central to assessing
“convertible reels,” those that accept both standard and
large-arbor spools; these are discussed later.) A larger
reel will be heavier, but the weight may still be
acceptable to you, and the conventional reel may cost
less than a large-arbor reel of the same outside
diameter.
The number of large-arbor reels on the market has
skyrocketed in the past four years. Here’s what you’ll
find:
The Bauer (408-484-0536; fax -0534) Mackenzie Reel is an
example of the large-arbor idea at its best. The spool
proportions offer a large maximum diameter for excellent
retrieve speed and line capacity, while venting on the
frame and spool produces a reel that is surprisingly
light. The cork disk drag is smooth and reliable, and
it’s controlled by a star knob recessed into the center
of the spool’s face. You change drag settings with your
reel hand, an arrangement I find convenient. Some
anglers have complained about the knuckle-rapping
hazards of trying to adjust a drag at the center of a
spinning spool. No doubt true, but perhaps a reminder
that you shouldn’t be adjusting the drag while a fish is
running anyway. The Mackenzie is a well-built, nicely
finished reel, carefully engineered to emphasize
large-arbor advantages. This one was a Kudo Award winner
last year. It’s available in seven sizes, from a 2- to
5-weight ($310) to an 11- to 13-weight ($535).
If that seems too steep, take a look at Bauer’s
less-expensive Little Mac series—identical in
spool/arbor proportions, but with two spindle bearings
instead of three and less extensive spool venting. There
are some cosmetic differences as well, but you get
pretty much the same performance for less money. This is
a very good value in a disk-drag large arbor. The Little
Mac is available in three sizes only, from a 2- to
5-weight ($215) to a 6- to 8-weight ($255).
Islander (250-544-1440; fax -1450) makes both a
convertible reel (discussed later) and the new LA
series, which features large-diameter, larger-arbor
spools. This large-arbor design is a bit unusual in that
it incorporates a big, narrow spool. The LA 4.0 that I
tested, for instance, has a spool more than 4" in
diameter but only 3/4" wide. The upshot is excellent
initial retrieve speed, though as more line leaves the
reel, both retrieve rate and drag pressure vary more
than would be the case with a shallower spool. But
jamming line against the frame isn’t a problem, and the
narrower reel profile may appeal more to
traditionalists. And like other Islander reels I’ve seen
or used, this one is a tank—top-flight materials, good
workmanship and, above all, a reassuring solidity. (One
reel in the series, the LA 3.8, puzzles a bit. Specs are
nearly identical to those for the classic Islander FR2,
but it runs an additional $100.) The four reels in the
LA series run from the 4.0 for 7 and 8 lines ($560) to
the 4.5 for 10 to 13 lines ($635).
L.L. Bean (207-865-4761; fax -552-6827) has a new series
of large-arbor reels, primarily for saltwater use. The
#2 (for 9- to 11-weights) I looked at is
representative—a solid, beefy reel with a big, wide
spool. Generally, it’s a good execution of large-arbor
principles. The 4 1/8" spool gives plenty of retrieve
speed and lots of line capacity, though I personally
find the spool width, at about 1 1/2", to be pushing the
limits of practicality. Laying the line evenly over a
spool face this wide takes a bit of attention. Apart
from the large arbor, this is simply a stout, tough reel
with a big oil-impregnated cork disk and corrosion-proof
titanium spindle and spool sleeve. The drag adjustment,
though, is a bit odd. Rotating the drag knob 360° gives
a modest increase in drag tension; to apply more drag,
you must press a small button on the drag knob and turn
the knob a bit farther, at which point you enter another
360° drag “window.” After you’ve maxed out that range,
you press the drag button again for another 360° window.
The same button-pushing applies for decreasing the drag
tension. The full range of drag pressure is more than
adequate, but splitting it into segments like this seems
overly complicated. Still, this is a serious reel at a
fair price. There are three models, from the #2 ($375)
to the #4, for 12 to 15 lines ($450).
G. Loomis (360-225-6516; fax -7169) recently brought out
the Syncrotech series of reels, and the two biggest
models feature large arbors. My reactions to them are a
bit mixed. These are, I think, the best-quality reels G.
Loomis has ever sold. Periodically over the years the
company has offered—then discontinued—a number of reels;
the search for one that complements the G. Loomis rods
may be over. The GL 8-9-10 I used is a rugged, smoothly
functioning, good-looking fly reel. My one complaint
here is that, while the arbor is certainly large, the
outside spool diameter of 3.8" is only slightly larger
than most reels in this weight class. The large arbor
does produce some gains in drag consistency, and overall
the reel functions quite well. But there’s more
opportunity here to take advantage of large-spool
benefits. In their proportions, the two large-arbor
models really seem more like modified conventional reels
than ones specifically designed around large spools and
arbors. Still, these are workhorses, and anglers who
don’t quite like the looks of a large-spool reel can
sneak in some of the benefits in a bit more traditional
package. The GL 8-9-10 runs $375. The GL 11-12-13 is
$475.
The Loop reels (541-673-9810; fax -3810) may not have
been the first large-arbor type ever made, but they did
introduce contemporary anglers to the design and are
still one of its most faithful incarnations. Two models
are now available, and they are to my mind the most
creatively engineered of all fly reels. The Loop
Traditional is built around a very large-diameter,
large-arbor spool, and its size is made possible in part
by a design that uses no center spindle. Instead, the
inside of the spool rides on six bearing-mounted Delrin
bogey wheels. The spool is shallow, and retrieve rate is
superb, though drag consistency is really not a factor
since there is no adjustable drag to speak of; the reel
is fitted with an adjustment screw that provides only
overrun tension.
There is one weak spot in the design. The overrun
tension screw works by pressing the bogey wheels against
the spool; if you leave the tension on for an extended
time, the wheels can develop small flats, which
introduce just a bit of roughness in the normally smooth
spool rotation. Generally, the flats will disappear
after some use (and the wheels are replaceable).
Ultimately, I find this drawback to be minor (especially
since it’s avoidable with a little care) compared to the
pleasure and practicality of this well-made reel. There
are 11 sizes for 2- to 11-weight lines, ranging from
$325 to $435. One graphite model ($125) is also
available.
The newest Loop reel is the ingeniously engineered,
disk-drag Hi-Tec. There is no spindle; the spool rides
on its rim. In fact, the whole reel looks and feels a
bit like a giant bearing. The Hi-Tec has a big, wide
spool, heavily ventilated to reduce weight; given the
unusually smooth spool rotation, you can really pick up
line in a hurry. The spool width, though, really pushes
the limits. The #3 model (for a WF8F plus 175 yards of
20-pound) that I used has a 4" spool that is 2 1/2" in
width. You have to pay attention to avoid stacking up
line during the retrieve. Drag is set with a large and
convenient ring on the perimeter of the frame, but from
minimum to maximum drag, the ring rotates through only
six detented stops—too few, I think, for fine
adjustments. Still, this is a marvelous piece of design
and construction; unsurprisingly, it commands some
pretty serious coin. There are five sizes, for lines 3
through 11, from $787 to $1,045.
One last benefit to both reels: The spools are simple in
construction, making extra spools less expensive than on
most comparably priced reels.
This past fall, Orvis (802-362-3622; fax -0141)
introduced the Vortex reels, which take a very
deliberate approach to maximizing large-arbor
advantages. Both spool and arbor diameters are generous,
and spool width gives ample line capacity. What’s
immediately striking, however, is the heavily ventilated
frame and spool; porting at every opportunity has
reduced weight with no apparent compromise in strength.
And it’s a good thing—the 5/6 reel I tested was still
quite heavy, at almost seven ounces. Like the Tibor
reels (see below), these are really saltwater models,
and when scaled down to trout sizes they tend to be
somewhat overbuilt and correspondingly heavy.
The unique approach to the drag/spool system is worth a
look. The spool is held in place by two spring-loaded
arms on the inside of the arbor. Simply press the arms
together and the spool pops out; removal is fast and
lock-in is solid. The spool fits over a large-arbor hub
that really contains the guts of the drag, and this
approach has a couple of advantages. First, you get the
convenience of a quick-change spool along with the
strength of a drawbar-type drag system. Second, because
no drag components are contained in the spool itself,
spare spools are quite inexpensive—only $85 on the 5/6
model I used. My one reservation concerns the heavily
ventilated backplate; dirt and grit have an easy path to
the inside of the reel, though I must say I had no
trouble with contamination in testing. But this is an
unusual, highly interesting and successful re-thinking
of reel design and mechanics. Sizes run from the 5/6
($475) to the 13/14 ($995).
When Sage (206-842-6608; fax -6830) introduced the
super-light SPL rods, it also brought out the first of
the reels in the 3000 series. There are now two models
available, and they bear a very strong resemblance to
the Waterworks reels—not identical, but some of the
design similarities are unmistakable. Like the
Waterworks reels, the 3000 reels are nicely designed
around an extra-large-diameter spool and a lightweight
frame. This sensible design offers an excellent retrieve
rate and good line capacity in an impressively light
package. The reels were designed for light trout fishing
and are perfect for the application, balancing
especially well with featherweight, light-line rods. A
toothed inner rim on the spool and a plastic arm provide
the overrun check, and tension is adjusted with a small
knob on the frame. Compared to the Waterworks models,
the Sage 3000 reels have a somewhat more conventional
single-side frame; it’s a bit heavier, but also feels
more rigid. Perhaps the biggest drawback to this series
is that only two reel sizes are available. The Sage 3100
($250) is built for lines 0 through 2; the 3200 holds
lines 3 through 5 ($275).
Ted Juracsik’s Tibor (561-272-0770; fax -272-0047) has
been on the market almost four years, making it one of
the granddaddies of American large-arbor reels. It is
still one of the most successful designs, and one that
earned an FR&R Kudo Award in 1997. The proportions of
the reel are particularly pleasing. Arbor diameter,
spool diameter and spool width offer good retrieve speed
and line capacity, while avoiding that bulky look that
some anglers dislike in large-arbor reels. I tested the
smallest reel, the Freestone, which weighs in at 7 1/2
ounces; that seems a little heavy for its designated 5
through 7 lines. Larger models, however, seem somewhat
lighter than average, a discrepancy that is probably
explained by Juracsik’s focus on saltwater gear (he also
makes the Billy Pate reels). The Freestone is probably
best seen as a light saltwater reel rather than the
trout model implied by its name. From the standpoints of
materials, construction and mechanics, the Tibor is
impeccable—corrosion-proof components, beautiful
machining, top-quality throughout. This is a lifetime
reel. You can buy pricier stuff, but it is arguable that
you can’t buy better. Reels are available in four sizes,
from the Freestone at $450 to the big Gulfstream (lines
11 through 14) at $630.
I’d heard rumors about Van Staal reels (203-380-0607;
fax -1385) for a couple of years before I finally saw
them, first the spinning reels (don’t wince, these are
works of art) and then the fly reels. The FR35 reel
(lines 7 through 9 with 250 yards of backing) I looked
at arrived—along with torrential, river-blowing
rains—just at deadline, so I didn’t have a chance to
fish it, much to my regret. This is generally an
impressive piece of gear. The incorporation of the large
arbor is fairly conservative. The 3 1/2" spool is a bit
larger than average for a reel in this size class, but
not appreciably so; line capacity and total weight are
about typical. There are some large-arbor efficiencies
here, but they are subordinate to an overall frame/spool
design that is more conventional in conception and
engineered to please aesthetic traditionalists. The real
innovations are less visible—a completely sealed drag
system for low to no maintenance; a silky,
positive-locking set of clutch bearings; an ingenious
spool release that involves no loose parts; a noteworthy
attention to detail. Anyone with an eye for high-end
reels should really take a look at this one. There are
three sizes, for lines 5 through 7 ($595) to 9 through
11 ($660).
The ULA reels from Waterworks (925-253-1664; fax -1665)
are among the most interesting designs I’ve seen in a
while—a thoughtful and successful attempt to maximize
the advantages of the large-arbor design. The ULA is
built around an unusually large-diameter, wide, shallow
spool housed in a minimalist frame. The upshot is a
superbly light, highly practical reel of the type that’s
become tough to find these days. For about the past 10
years, designs and materials in reels have pretty much
been driven by the saltwater end of things. Top-end
trout reels have largely been patterned after (or been
miniature versions of) their saltwater counterparts. The
result is that many trout reels—beautiful, precise,
flawless in function as they are—tend to be overbuilt,
sometimes significantly. They’re getting heavier at a
time that rods are getting lighter. The spare design of
ULA reels, however, offers good line capacity and
excellent retrieve speed in a very lightweight package.
The P3 model, for instance, has a big 3 1/2" spool and
weighs in at 3 1/2 ounces. You could use this one on a
3-weight rod easily and do away with those tiny reels
that are kind of cute, but woefully inefficient. A few
complaints, though minor: First, changing tension on the
clicker/overrun check requires an Allen wrench, and
adjusting it precisely is difficult. The adjustment knob
on the Sage 3200 controls an identical mechanism and is
much easier to use. Second, I find the handle much too
small, particularly for cold, wet hands. Even so, these
reels are intelligently designed and a pleasure to use.
The Purist series has a simple overrun check and comes
in three sizes, for line weights 2 through 4 to 6
through 8, from $260 to $300. The Force series has an
adjustable disk drag and comes in the same sizes; prices
range from $350 to $375.
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