Fly Fishing

Boz · Location: Portland

Check these out back in Jan at the show in Mass. They look and sound killer...drag looks bombproof. Thinking about picking one up for steelhead or as a new saltwater reel...it'd be slick.

In an age where most reel companys sell a bunch of different models some good some junk. Hatch has one basic design that comes in different colors and different sizes.

If any one out there owns one or has used one I'd love to hear some feedback.

JJHLH1 · Posted: Fri 03/21/08 11:24 pm Post subject:

I purchased a Hatch 7-plus a few months ago. I got the clear/green color combination in the Monsoon version. I was looking for a top end reel to go with my new 8 wt. Z-axis.

Frankly, I had never heard about Hatch until I was talking with a friend who happened to use one over the summer while trout fishing with a guide in Colorado. I think he was using the 3-plus model.

Anyway, on his recommendation I went to the fly shop and compared the Hatch 7-plus with the comparable models from Abel and Tibor. I prefered the Hatch over the other reels. I like the simplicity of its design, its sealed drag, and its feel. Frankly, its the kind of reel you want to take out at night and spin a few times because it looks and feels so good.

I also like the fact that the reel seat is machined as part of the reel - not attached by screws like every other reel is. That is an improvement in design. A single solid piece is better than two pieces joined by screws. Will it make a difference in landing fish? Probably not, but at least it shows me that the designers of the reel put some thought into it.

I've been fishing with my Hatch 7-plus for a while and have to say I absolutely love it. No problems at all. Now, to be fair, I haven't landed any huge fish on it to truly test it's drag system under pressure, but I look forward to the day I hook into a big one and get the opportunity. Maybe next week during my bonefishing trip to the Bahamas!

All in all, I absolutely love this reel.

joey · Location: Colorado

Used a hatch reel this past week while steelheading on the OP. Extremely nice reel. Everything about it was smooth. It was a nice back up since the drag completely burned out on my Mach IV. If I had deeper pockets I would put those reels on all my heavier rods.

Postman · Posted: Thu 10/02/08 5:54 pm Post subject:

Hi guys
I have plus 3,5 and 7 reels and its the best reels you can
get for that money. I will be bying the plus 9 and 11 as soon
as my finances has recovered from buying half the pro simms store.
P-A