Fly Fishing

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

Hey everyone,

I am looking to build some quality information for us - by us. I am constantly scouring the web looking for answers to such things as best reels, rods, line, leader, packs, trips ...etc... i saw all of the interesting and HONEST opinions being shared on the Salmon River Specialists site and I thought that it might be fun and a good idea to get the pulse of fly fishermans thoughts about fly fishing related things .... as opposed to some of the more biased information that is floating around on the web.

So, I will be regularly posting topics - looking for feedback. There is never a right or wrong answer - however you feel is the right answer. the value in the information will be found in the summation of everyone's knowledge, opinion, insight and experience. In the end - We will all be able to make more informed decisions in all matters fly fishing related.

SO - HERE IS THE FIRST POST

- WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ABEL FLY REELS?
http://www.abelreels.com/

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

I don't know much about how the measure up in terms of quality - but i was at a fly shop recently and saw some of their ARTISTIC ANODIZED reels and they caught my attention. some are a little too loud for me - but i would certainly be interested in their custom services. i would love to have a fly reel with very subtle markings of some sort of guitar representation. - i can not tell from their website if they will do this type of custom work and what they are referring to with custom work - but if i am reading it right and they will take a piece of artwork that i send them and integrate it into one of their reels - i would be interested. as far as the stocked ARTISTIC ANODIZED options go - i like the golden trout the best - but not so sure i would buy it.

anyone know anything about the quality of the reels and/or if they will, in fact, do custom artwork on a reel?

http://www.abelreels.com/pages/camo.htm

MarshallD · Location: Naples, Fl

Abel reels have enjoyed a long reputation for high quality. I have never owned one, but have coveted those which my friends own. I know they are expensive, but you get quality workmanship. I'm not familiar with their art options. The artwork is just a plus, because if you are investing in one ore more Abels, you might as well customize them because they are like jewels....to be passed on to one's children. Customized reels should increase in value with age. I have a Charleton which is in the same class. Both are expensive, but a fine angler like yourself should have several. One for each species Smile

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gilly09 · Posted: Sun 10/02/05 8:40 pm Post subject:

Three brands that are top of mind when you ask me about quality reels are Abel, Tibor, and Charelton.

Pricey yes, but you're paying for a Made in the USA product. That in my experience means one important thing with regard to this industry...quality control.

All the rod manufacturers and reel manufacturers that are made stateside have much more control over defects, imperfections, breakage, etc....and of course it's handed on to us as the consumer by way of the price tag. For example, I broke two Albright ESX 909-3's this summer within 10 days of one another. Their rods are baked in Korea, and who the hell knows what kind of consistency their rods are made with. They upgraded me to a new model at no charge, and this is their last chance.

I read a testimonial by a recreational angler that was visiting the keys. His son hooked a decent sized permit. At first there was some concern the boy had the right equipment to land the powerful fish. Then his guide simply said, "play the fish for 10 minutes, give the drag two clicks, fight it another five, and then two more clicks and we'll land it."

I thought that testimonial spoke volumes of their product.

Here is a link to a thread on Abel's. One gent, is a reel collector (s2ary) and another is a machinest very familiar with the process of making reels (linesidersonthefly)....enjoy the post: Very Happy

http://www.maineflyfish.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1637&SearchTerms=Abel,reels