Fly Fishing

Valentin · Location: Vienna

Hi guys,

sorry for opening this topic but I got a present from a friend who is not a fisherman. I got a flyrod and reel from to me unknown manufacturer till now:). I searched the net a bit and found out that it is an American manufacturer, somewhere is written "ROSS" and somewhere "ROSS Worldwide"
What I got is:

8.6 inch rod, weight 5, 4 piece, from ROSS - Essence FW. Obviously they have couple of ROSS ESSENCE and mine is ROSS ESSENCE FW.

The reel is ROSS CLA 5wt.

They really look excellent but didn't have a chance to try them yet, I even didn't put the line yet. What it made me very happy is that the reel came with an extra spool:)

I really never heard about this manufacturer and checked with some shop owners here today but they couldn't tell me anything about ROSS, they heard about it but no reviews:(

Since most of the members here are from US, I hope someone can give me some reviews about them. I only know so far that the rod itself is very very light.

many thanks

valentin

lunchbox · Location: Utah

Ross is well known here in the US. From my experience Ross is one of the most fail-proof reels out there. I own several and have beat the hell out of them, and they just keep ticking. The CLA is a machined aluminum reel with a lifetime warranty. If you need to switch retrieves there is a lever located on the drag assembly that makes it super easy to switch from right hand to left hand.

The website is www.rossreels.com

As far as the Essence series rods go, I do not have any experience with them so I cannot help you out there.

Ross USA and Ross worldwide are managed completely different. Ross USA is, of course made in the USA (Montrose, Colorado) and carries an unconditional lifetime warranty. Here in the US, they have the fastest turnaround time out there. Ross worlwide products are made overseas (China) and usually carry a limited warranty. All Ross USA reels are machined from aluminum and Eoss worldwide reels are made from a cast; not as strong as machined and tolerances are not as tight.

Hope this helps

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

(As I was writing this, lunchbox gave a bunch of the same good info before I realized it.)
Valentin,
Ross is a well established manufacturer in the US of fly reels. They are very popular especially in the rocky mountains and west coast.

They currently operate two different branches of the company, both with the Ross name. Ross USA and Ross Worldwide.

The Ross USA branch is based on the original established branch of the company that has been making reels for a long time (at least in the context of the current fly reel market). They make good, machined reels at their factory in Colorado that work well and tend to be quite durable. They also stand behind them with a great warranty with a guaranteed "2 days from when they receive it turnaround" so you get the reel back fast if you have problems which are not common. Your reel, the CLA is based on a tried and true original model called the "Cimmaron" CLA stands for Cimmaron Large Arbor which is the newest version of the reel. It is a good reel that will serve you well. Smooth disc drag, large arbor, easy spool removal, easy to operate, low maintenence.

The Ross Worldwide branch was started a few years ago to address the market segment of overseas manufactured product that can be offered at a much lower price. This branch originally only manufactured reels, but has since expanded to offer rods, in recent years with an expanding line up. The warranty for the stuff that this branch makes is different (you need a receipt and there are other requirements). As far as your rod, I don't know much about the Ross Rods. I have cast a few just to test them but very limited. I cast a few that seemed alright, but don't have much experience with their rod.

Hope this information helps!

kory_k · Location: New York, NY

I just wanted to mention something that I saw when I re read your post. You say,

waterwhippa · Location: Upstate, NY

The Ross CLA is a workhorse...my bread and butter....it has handled blistering 200+ yard runs from albacore and steelhead without missing a beat. I', pretty partial to Lamson and Bauer reels as well but the CLA is as solid as they come.

Valentin · Location: Vienna

hi guys,

many thanks for your fast reviews! Excellent, the rod and reel were bought in an Eastern-European country and I got a receipt for life-time warranty.

went today with the reel and extra spool to the most famous flyfishing shop in Vienna to put some backing and the guy from the shop also had not seen a ROSS rod or reel before. He sells flyfishing rods and reels from Vision, Orvis and Sedge only:)

Now I am happy to have such a nice set, will try it out as soon as the tempreature gets higher and the snow melts

thanks again

TroutBone · Location: Bavaria, Germany

Yeah if your friend has some more Ross Fly rod and reel he wants to give away send them my way Valentin postage shoudn`t be too much I just live North of you Laughing

, Just kidding, it`s very understandable that alot of Europeans don`t get to hear alot about our manufactureres, most European don`t get to know alot of our american design rod makers because alot of European Fly rods are very good and great in design in itself.

I own a Sonik SK4 from England and it is a superb rod, I take it our on majority of my trout fishing here in Germany and its a bang for the buck, but you got one of the better rod out there Valentin, ok maybe I wasn`t joking about him sending me one now. Laughing