Gear » Fly Reels

Images by Rick Mikesell I've talked before about how much I like vintage Ross reels. The appeal is in their simplicity, burly design, and durability that holds up over time. Among my favorites is the original Colorado, a click-pawl reel that carries all the hallmarks of a classic Ross. When Ross reintroduced the Colorado in 2016, it stayed true to the...

The Ross Animas fly reel is in the $250-500 sweet spot for steelhead reels, offering a composite drag system that delivers smooth, consistent stopping power | photo courtesy of Ross Reels A sealed disc drag with low startup inertia is the best fly reel drag system for steelhead, outperforming both click-and-pawl and unsealed disc designs in the cold, wet...

Orvis has introduced the Ratio Fly Reel as its highest-performing saltwater reel to date, aimed at anglers targeting tarpon, roosterfish, permit, tuna, and billfish. According to Orvis, the Ratio centers on a fully sealed carbon-stainless drag system engineered for smooth engagement, zero startup inertia, and 12 to 20 pounds of stopping power, depending on...

The Coors Light Cimarron LT doesn't look like a revolutionary piece of fly fishing equipment. At first glance, it's simply another beautifully machined reel from Ross Reels, finished in a luminescent silver with the familiar Rocky Mountain silhouette that has adorned Coors beer cans for decades. But dip it in cold water—or wade into a trout stream on a...

Just as saltwater fly fishers begin booking spring trips to Caribbean flats and the Florida Keys, Sage has introduced what may become the most sought-after reels of the season: the Enforcer Grand Slam limited edition series. The three-model collection pays tribute to the legendary saltwater "Grand Slam"—the rare feat of landing a bonefish, permit, and...

Gear is expensive, which makes this week one of the few times each year when the price tags ease up a bit. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are now a predictable part of the fly-fishing calendar. Every season manufacturers and specialty brands offer meaningful discounts, and it is always worth paying attention. If you need travel gear, cold-weather layers, a...

In an effort to continually bring fly-fishing history to light in new and interesting ways, the American Museum of Fly Fishing is kicking off an exciting program to create commemorative pieces of classic American tackle in partnership with some of the world’s finest reel-makers, rod-builders and artisans. Due to the significant amount of time and effort...

It's been three years since legendary angler, tier, author, and artist Dave Whitlock passed away. This weekend, Dave's wife, Emily, will be hosting an online auction of an impressive list of gear left behind. (Check out the items up for action here.) Here's Emily's announcement of the event: Dave’s been gone 3 years now and much about my life has changed...

By: Rick Mikesell, MidCurrent Gear Guru I landed my first ever saltwater fish, a black drum, on a Nautilus FWX 7/8. That reel went on to land my first redfish, bonefish, baby tarpon, and barracuda. Ten or so years later, it is still kicking. Since then, I have added several Nautilus reels to the collection. Built in Miami and trusted by saltwater guides and...

By Rick Mikesell, MidCurrent Gear Guru Ross Reels has announced the release of the Machinist Edition ($295), a limited-edition reel designed to honor the people and processes behind every reel produced at the company’s Montrose, Colorado, facility. According to Ross, the Machinist Edition is machined, hand-finished, anodized, and assembled in Colorado...