Fly Fishing - Hatch Fly Fishing Reel

Boz · Newbie Joined: Oct 16, 2005 Posts: 60 Location: Portland

Check these out back in Jan at the show in Mass. They look and sound killer...drag looks bombproof. I wouldn't by one for trouting, as it'd be overkill, but 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 · Newbie Joined: Mar 21, 2008 Posts: 1

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 · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:10 am Post subject:

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.