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Lighten Up II
Three and Four Weight Fly Reels
By Scott Clayton
To use the football analogy, the fly reel is the offensive line in the fly fishing outfit. When it does its job the reel is an unsung hero. The fly rod is the quarterback throwing the fly (ball) to the receiver (fish). While the rod does all of the flashy work, the reel does the grunt work. It holds the line while not in use—making it less likely to tangle. When a fish strikes the reel needs to be smooth enough to allow the fish to take line out without jeopardizing the fine tippet connection to the fly. The reel should also give some resistance, i.e. drag, to the line being taken out.
After the painstaking process of choosing the perfect fly rod it's only fitting to take the next step and look at reels to match the new investment. In this text we'll look at reels that will work well with the three and four weight rods we reviewed in Lighten Up (version I) .
Three and four weight quarry seldom, if ever, have the horsepower to pull line from the reel, which means we have some leeway selecting a reel. For instance a train stopping disc drag is not a requirement. But it's like my 4x4 truck, 99% of the time I don't need or even engage the 4 wheel drive capabilities. However the 1% of the time I do engage it, I'm so glad it's there. Price difference and maybe a slight weight increase are probably the biggest inhibitors for disc drags on lightweight reels. So if you're looking to squeeze the most out of your hard-earned money opting for a spring-and-pawl drag you'll probably never miss the disc drag. On the other hand I see little downside to having a disc drag, some reels aren't even offered with a spring-and-pawl drag. Besides the optimist in me hopes for the rare chance to put it to use.
Reel weight is a concern; we don't want a 1 ton anchor attached to the base of our 7'6" (1.5 oz.) three weight fly rod. Remember the rods we tried weigh between 1.5 and 3 ounces. It's pretty easy to find a reel that feels good on a three or four weight rod. In the end it usually comes down to a personal preference for how the outfit feels. As a general rule for lightweight rods I like to go as light as possible on the reel.
Backing capacity is another area where we can get away with a smaller amount because, chances are, once you put it on the reel you'll never see it again. Just keep in mind that if you ever do see the backing and an inadequate amount causes the loss of a fish of a lifetime you'll curse the day you skimped on backing. Considering most fly lines are around 90 feet, for lightweight fishing, 90 feet of backing is pretty good insurance.
From here we jump off into more subjective qualities like look and feel, style, and sounds.
I tried the following fly reels:
Aurora Cross Creek 3/4
Galvan OB2
Orvis Battenkill LA 3/4
Orvis CFO III
Ross Cimarron C-1
Ross Gunnison G-1
Scientific Anglers Concept 1
STH Cayuga Disk Drag (small)
Aurora Cross Creek 3/4
Weight N/A, 4.4 oz.
Diameter 2.75 inches
Drag Spring and pawl
Backing Capacity WF3 + 100 yards 20#
Price $109
The Aurora Cross Creek is machine cut from solid bar-stock aluminum. The drag is a simple spring and pawl. It has an exposed rim for palming.
The drag adjustment range is narrow compared to disc drag reels. Even at the lightest setting pulling line off the reel is a little jerky getting started.
Considering the 2.75" diameter and the spring and pawl drag, at 4.4 ounces this reel is disappointingly heavy. At the same time though the Cross Creek felt good on all the rods I tried.
I easily loaded a Cortland Clear Creek 4 weight line (WF4) plus 100 feet of 20# backing and had room left over. I'm guessing I could get 150 feet of backing on this one (with the WF4 line).
The Cross Creek is a nice, solid looking reel. The color is unique. And I like the smaller profile of the 2.75" diameter spool.
Probably my biggest complaint against spring and pawl drags is the sound they make. The Cross Creek has a pretty good line out sound. But the line in has a tinny ring to it.
Summary:
The Cross Creek has a great look and feel. The backing capacity is good too. It's a little heavier than I expected, especially for a spring and pawl drag reel. At $109 it's a good value, especially if you're in the market for a spring and pawl reel. I enjoyed fishing with it.
Contact Aurora on the Internet at www.aurorasports.com.
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Galvan OB2
Weight 4.2 oz., 4.4 oz.
Diameter 3 inches
Drag Disc
Backing Capacity WF4 + 50 yards 20#
Price $240
Galvan's OB2 is fully machined from 6061 bar-stock aluminum and anodized to a semi-gloss black, green, or clear finish (not recommended for use in saltwater). The ball-bearing disc drag units are machined from stainless steel and employ a Delrin disc. The OB is a large arbor reel and has an exposed rim for palming.
The drag adjustment knob is large, accessible and easy to use. It has definite stops and plenty of them; I tried counting the stop clicks and quit at 30. The numerous stops offer very fine control over the drag.
The OB weighs in at a comfortable 4.3 ounces. It balanced well on all the rods I tried.
I filled the spool with a Sage 4 weight line (WF4) and 150 feet of 20# backing; that was a perfect fit.
The OB has a modern look, especially the back. It has a sturdy feel to it. I like the large arbor. I'm torn between the modern look of the OB and the classic look of the Orvis CFO. They both set high standards for look and feel.
The line out sound is good, just what I'd expect. The silent retrieve is not everyone's cup of tea. I don't particularly like it but the other good qualities of this reel insure I wouldn't stop using it because of the silent retrieve. I know some fly-fishers who prefer little or no sound while fishing. For them the OB is the perfect reel; no noise when retrieving the line and great sound if a fish ever takes a run.
Summary:
Galvan's OB ended in a tie with the Orvis CFO for my favorite reel in this review. I like the contemporary look. It feels great in hand, especially while fishing. The drag adjustment is excellent. Although I wouldn't buy it just because it's a large arbor, that's a nice plus. Its weight is good and it has good backing capacity. The silent retrieve is the Achilles heel of the OB; it would be great if that was an option. Price-wise it's on the high end, but it's definitely a quality reel.
Contact Galvan at (209) 586-1112 or on the Internet at www.galvanflyreels.com .
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Orvis Battenkill LA 3/4
Weight 4.5 oz., 5.5 oz.
Diameter 3 5/8 inches
Drag Disc
Backing Capacity WF4 + 105 yards 20#
Price $185
The Orvis Battenkill LA (large arbor) is fully machined from bar-stock aluminum and has a hard anodized finish. The Battenkill offset disc drag system incorporates carbon fiber Rulon components.
The drag adjustment knob is medium sized with a raised surface which makes it easy to turn. The adjust-ability is good, it has at least 8 stops; after stop 5 the stops become less pronounced. The range isn't as fine as some of the other disc drag reels. The first four stops are the most usable for lightweight situations. The 5th stop and above are heavy duty, in the stop a truck range.
The Battenkill LA is the heaviest reel in this review by more than one ounce in most cases. In hand though, it's tough to discern even the biggest difference (there is a 1.6 oz. difference between the Battenkill LA and the Orvis CFO). Even though the Battenkill LA is the heaviest it's not too heavy. I found it balanced comfortably on 7'6" rods.
I was able to squeeze on a Cortland Lazer 4 weight line (WF4) with 100 feet of 20# backing but it was tight. The line rubbed when all the way on the reel, especially after fishing when I'm not so diligent about getting the line on the reel tightly. I think the reel would be more comfortable with somewhere between 50-60 feet of backing. Even then I would feel comfortable fishing it anywhere a 4 weight makes sense.
Ok, I'll admit it I think the Battenkill LA looks cool. It's very obvious it's a large arbor, some of the other large arbors are not so obvious. The crank handle is large and very easy to grip. I've heard some people complain about the plastic cover plate for the drag unit, but it never bothered me. It really stands out from the other reels, I like the look and feel.
The Battenkill LA has good sound on both line in and line out.
Summary:
The Orvis Battenkill LA reel has two problems, it's on the heavy side and its backing capacity is less than the other reels. The large arbor mitigates the need for a lot of backing just to reduce line coiling. And in reality for lightweight fishing 50 feet of backing is going to be adequate. On the plus side it's a nice looking reel with a large diameter, wider spool. I'll use it any chance I can. The Battenkill LA is the runner up to my favorites the Orvis CFO and Galvan OB.
Editor's Note: Since beginning this review Orvis changed the sizing of the Battenkill LA reels from 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 and 9/10 to II (3-5 wts.), III (5-7 wts.), IV (6-8 wts.) and V (7-9 wts.), contact Orvis for more details.
Contact Orvis at (800) 548-9548 or on the Internet at www.orvis.com .
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Orvis CFO III
Weight 3.9 oz., 3.9 oz.
Diameter 3 inches
Drag Disc
Backing Capacity WF3 + 125 yards 20#
Price $240
The Orvis CFO III (disc-drag) is machined from a special aluminum alloy which gives each reel a high ratio of strength to weight. It has an exposed rim for palming.
The drag adjustment knob is small but easily accessible. The adjustment is very fine; there are no definite stops yielding more adjustment in a narrow range (less than 360 degrees of rotation).
At 3.9 ounces the CFO is the lightest of all the aluminum reels in this review. Only the graphite SA Concept 1 is lighter.
The CFO has plenty of backing capacity. I easily loaded a Scientific Anglers XPS 3 weight line (WF3) plus 100 feet of 20# backing and had room to spare.
I enjoyed the classic look and elegant style sported by the CFO. I'm still not sure which I like better the classic CFO or the more modern looking Galvan OB. Each one has a special character to it.
The CFO provides good sound on both line in and line out.
Summary:
The Orvis CFO ended in a tie with the Galvan OB for my favorite reel in this review. I like the classic look and style. It's lightweight, has plenty of capacity and sounds good. The leather case is a bonus. The $240 price tag puts the CFO at the high end of reels in this review.
Contact Orvis at (800) 548-9548 or on the Internet at www.orvis.com .
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Ross Cimarron C-1
Weight 4.0 oz., 4.3 oz.
Diameter 3 inches
Drag Disc
Backing Capacity WF4 + 60 yards 20#
Price $140
Ross' Cimarron is fully machined from bar-stock aluminum. It employs a friction based disc drag system and self-lubricating oil impregnated bronze bushings for smooth rotation. It has an exposed rim for palming and is saltwater approved.
The drag adjustment knob is large and easy to adjust. The drag settings are not as precise as the Ross Gunnison; the stops are there, just not as pronounced.
The Cimarron weighs in at 4.3 ounces, which is pretty much the average reel weight in this review.
The Cimarron backing capacity is generous. I was able to squeeze on an Airflo 3 weight line (DT3) with 330 feet of 20# braided Dacron backing. It was tight though. I'd recommend putting on enough backing (up to 300 feet) to fill up the spool.
The Cimarron has a conservative, meat and potatoes style. It looks good, but not great. It's not quite as stylish as the Ross Gunnison, but it's close.
The Cimarron sound is good, I especially like the line in purr.
Summary:
The Ross Cimarron has loads of backing capacity, average weight, and good sounds. It does have a good solid feel to it. It's just not as eye catching as some of the more stylish reels in this review. Mid-way in the price range of reels in this review, the Cimarron should be considered where price is a high priority.
Contact Ross at (970) 249-1212 or on the Internet at www.ross-reels.com.
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Ross Gunnison G-1
Weight 4.4 oz., 4.6 oz.
Diameter 3 inches
Drag Disc
Backing Capacity WF4 + 60 yards 20#
Price $200
The Ross Gunnison is fully machined out of bar-stock aluminum. It utilizes a friction based disc drag system and two precision stainless steel ball bearings for smooth rotation. It has an exposed rim for palming and is saltwater approved.
The Gunnison drag has a good range: 9 well-defined adjustment stops. The adjustment knob is large and accessible.
At 4.6 ounces the Gunnison is on the heavier side of the reels in this review. Only the Orvis Battenkill LA weighed more. But compared to the others in the lower 4 ounce range it's around 0.3 ounces more, not much at all. It balanced well on all the rods I tried.
The backing capacity of the Gunnison is generous, like the Ross Cimarron. In fact, I used the same setup I used on the Cimarron with pretty much the same results. I was able to squeeze on an Airflo 3 weight line (DT3) with 330 feet of 20# braided Dacron backing. It too was a little tight. Again, I recommend putting on enough backing (up to 300 feet) to fill up the spool.
I like the looks of the Gunnison better than the Ross Cimarron. I still categorize it as a more conservative style, nothing flashy.
The Gunnison sound, much like the Cimarron, is good both on line in and line out. I really like the line in purr.
Summary:
The Ross Gunnison has a lot going for it: solid construction, good drag adjustment, and very generous backing capacity. Back that up with the Ross lifetime warranty, throw in a nice neoprene pouch and you've got a recipe that's sure to please. Price-wise it's on the upper end where the competition is tough. If you're going to spend $200 the Orvis CFO and Galvan OB should at least be considered too.
Contact Ross at (970) 249-1212 or on the Internet at www.ross-reels.com.
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Scientific Anglers Concept 1
Weight N/A, 3.6 oz.
Diameter 3 inches
Drag Spring and pawl
Backing Capacity N/A
Price $29.95
The Scientific Anglers Concept 1 is constructed from a composite polymer graphite. The drag is a simple spring and pawl. It has an exposed rim for palming.
The drag adjustment knob is small but is bigger than the drag adjustment knob on the Aurora Cross Creek. It's easy to adjust but the range is narrower than the Cross Creek. I didn't like the fact that while adjusting the tension one of the springs commonly slipped up and off the adjustment cam rendering it useless. It was simple to fix, just take off the spool and engage the spring on the cam. But it happened so often it was annoying; it even happened while reeling line in.
The Concept 1 is the lightest reel in this review -- it should be it's made of graphite. In hand it's noticeably lighter than the Orvis Battenkill LA and for the most part feels lighter than the Aurora Cross Creek, but it really is tough to tell the difference between 3.6 ounces and 4.4 ounces.
The Concept 1's backing capacity is more than adequate. I loaded a Cortland Lazer 444 3 weight line (DT3) with 100 feet of backing and had lots of room to spare. I'm guessing I could add 50 to 100 feet of backing to this setup.
I'm not a big fan of graphite. The Concept 1 looks ok; it just doesn't feel as solid as aluminum.
On the Concept 1, both the line in and the line out sounds are ok. They're just a little too loud for me. I prefer the more subtle disc drag sounds.
Summary:
The Scientific Anglers Concept 1 is lightweight and has good backing capacity. Its price is also very good -- it's the least expensive reel in this review. I did have some problems with the drag springs. The Concept 1 looks pretty good but graphite pales in comparison to machined aluminum. As a starter reel or a backup the Concept 1 is a good choice.
Contact Scientific Anglers on the Internet at www.mmm.com/scianglers/.
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STH Cayuga Disk Drag (small)
Weight 4.5 oz., 4.4 oz.
Diameter 3.1 inches
Drag Disc
Backing Capacity WF5 + 150 yards 20#
Price $99
The STH Cayuga is machined from aluminum, hand polished, and anodized. It includes a Teflon/brass disc drag and has an exposed rim for palming.
The drag adjustment knob is medium sized and easy to grip. There are no definite stops producing fine adjustment in a narrow range (not quite 360 degrees of rotation).
Given the 3 1/8" diameter I expected the Cayuga to be heavier. At 4.4 ounces it's the same weight as the Aurora Cross Creek (which has a 2.75" diameter). It will balance well on any of the lightweight rods we tried.
The Cayuga has a generous backing capacity. I easily loaded a Cortland Clear Creek 4 weight line (WF4) plus 100 feet of 20# backing and had room left over. I'm guessing I could easily get 150 feet of backing on this one, maybe 200 feet.
For some reason I didn't like the Cayuga's looks at first, but it's growing on me. Maybe it's because the diameter is a little larger than the others; I prefer smaller reels. I do like the STH medallion with the fish in the center of the spool. And the wood handle adds character.
The Cayuga sounds are ok. I like the line in sound much better than the line out sound. The line in sound is a soft purr, it reminds me of a bicycle coasting. The line out sound is loud and has a tinny ring.
Summary:
My first impression of the STH Cayuga was that it seemed big. However the more I handle it the more its character jumps out. It has nice, solid aluminum construction with good drag adjustment. The backing capacity is plenty for lightweight situations. Price-wise it's a bargain. The Cayuga is my favorite among the less expensive reels in this review.
Contact STH at (607) 756-2851 or on the Internet at www.sthreels.com.
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Wrap-up
The easiest way to determine the utility of a fly reel is to fish with a reel that isn't quite up to snuff. Using a bad reel it quickly becomes apparent where the tool is lacking, whether it's oversized for the job, seizes up on occasion, over spools, or simply falls apart.
While each of the reels covered here has pros and cons each one of them is fish-able. It comes down to personal circumstances and preferences. Are you looking to treat yourself to a fine reel? Or are you looking for a workhorse to just get the job done without costing an arm and a leg? Or are you somewhere in-between?
If I were going to treat myself to fine reel I'd have a tough time choosing between the Galvan OB and the Orvis CFO. I like the OB's contemporary look and solid feel. On the other hand I like the CFO's classic style.
If I were looking for a more economical reel I'd go with the STH Cayuga.
The great thing about writing a review like this is I get to tell you what I like and what I don't. That's good for me. And it can be good for you if you use this information wisely. I hope that through my experiences you are better prepared to make your buying decisions. That is the point, when you make a purchase: it's your decision. Before you make that important decision it's always best to get your hands on the gear as much as possible. In other words, try before you buy.
* The second weight value for each of the reels is the weight of the empty reel I recorded using my local post office scale (accurate to 1/10 of an ounce).
Scott Clayton is the Fly Fishing Editor at GearReview.com.
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