MidCurrent Tested and Trusted: Orvis Disc Spey Reel

Image by Kubie Brown

There’s nothing more satisfying in fly fishing than the sound of a screaming reel. It’s the sound of success, the sound of joy, and often the reason many of us go fly fishing. This is especially true in Spey casting, where hours of calm serenity and rhythmic casting are shattered by a hooked fish streaking downstream. The peeling line makes your reel sing like an angelic trumpet blast—a sound as rewarding as a standing ovation. Yet finding a capable Spey reel is challenging.

The market offers two basic options: vintage traditional reels that are both rare and expensive, or modern alternatives that, while more accessible, often look like hubcap spinners on a toy car. My Spey reel collection includes both varieties, but I’ve found middle ground with the Orvis Disc Spey reels.

A New Type of Old-School

The Orvis Disc Spey reel honors Spey casting’s British roots while incorporating modern innovations. Machined from bar-stock aluminum to tight tolerances, it features distinctive porting that gives it a vintage look and lets backing and running lines dry quickly. This design resists freezing in cold conditions, making it ideal for both winter streamer fishing and steelhead pursuit.

The Disc Spey merges classic beauty with smart design fixes. The radiused, rounded reel foot allows you to bend leaders without kinking. Unlike traditional click-and-pawl systems, it employs a sealed disc drag with an accessible adjustment knob, featuring tactile detents for blind setting adjustment. The drag system offers both delicate settings for light tippet work and substantial stopping power for controlling downstream runs.

Built for Durability

The Orvis Disc Spey comes in three sizes:

• Disc III: Designed for trout Spey setups, 3-weight to 5-weight rods
• Disc IV: Optimized for steelhead and small salmon, 6-weight to 8-weight rods
• Disc V: Built for Chinook and Atlantic salmon, 9-weight and 10-weight rods

All three versions share the same aesthetic, drag system, and exceptional durability. Through extensive backcountry fishing and rough handling, these reels have proven remarkably resilient. While other reels often succumb to sand infiltration or structural damage within a season or two, the Disc Spey maintains its performance. Given their moderate price point compared to competitors costing more than twice as much, this longevity adds significant value.

The Long Run

Spey casting’s appeal lies partly in its aesthetics—the hypnotic rhythm of casting, swinging, and stepping, the enchanting sound and feel of the river flowing around you, creating a profound connection with the natural world. When you add a reel that can both handle technical demands and deliver that soul-stirring sound of a running fish, you have something special. The Orvis Disc Spey achieves this balance, making it an ideal choice for anglers seeking both performance and tradition.