Allen & Co. Alpha Reel And Mesh Vest

[Geoff]

So a couple weeks ago Allen & Co sent out an email of new deals and specials. One of the biggest things that caught my eye was his new mesh vest, which looks suprisingly alot like some of the FishPond gear, without the FishPond price. So I decided to order one, as well as a reel to replace the old, LOUD St Criox reel I had on my 3wt. I got the stuff in yesterday, arrived in a standard square USPS box. Upon opening it i found all sorts of goodies, as did my German Shorthair.

Anyway, i unpacked the vest and my first thoughts are wow, this is quiet nice, my shorthair though so too as she was mouthing it before/during me putting it on. Try it on, fit was LARGE, however with some tighening of the straps, it fits very nicely on me, which I was worried about ( im 6' tall and pretty thin )There will be plenty of room under neath for waders etc etc. There is storage everywhere on it, even has a pair of built in fly boxes, but you do need to add your own foam to it, no big deal. It light on the shoulders and very breathable. Construction is very solid and there were no loose threads anywhere. On a scale of 10, im really hard pressed not to give it a 10, its very very nice, especially once you consider what the email price was, it'd be an 11.

The reel. I got an Alpha 2/4 reel. When i removed it from the reel pouch it came with my first thought was holy crap this thing is TINY!! Well i guess i havent looked at my 3wt in a while because its just a hair smaller and wider then the reel I'm replacing. The finish on it is outstanding! Nice mirrored polish and didnt get covered in finger prints. Its very very solid feeling. Spool comes off easy, drag knob is large and in in charge. biggest thing for me though is it is darn near silent!!! the retreive reel is 100% quiet, the drag has a very soft, nice sound to it. i hate loud reels, main reason my St Croix is now the emergancy reel in the truck ( ha ). it sure does look the part of being a fine reel, I'm looking very forward to using it this weekend ( i hope ). On a scale of 10, i'll give it a 9.5. i honeslty think it could stand to be ALITTLE bit larger, but I probably have WAAAAAYYY too much backing on it to start with, but im incredibly happy with my experiance with them.

[Coldspring]

my St Croix is now the emergancy reel in the truck ( ha ). it sure does look the part of being a fine reel, I'm looking very forward to using it this weekend

Looks the part, but I'd put your emergency-in-the-truck St. Croix in your vest, lined up.

Just sold my Alpha.

[Geoff]

Why do you say that?

But yes the reel is lined and on a rod, i keep it in the truck just incase i have to jump out to fish somewhere.

[3wt]

How have I never heard of these guys. Had to check out their site, and it looks to good to be true, and I have found nothing but good reviews in other forums.

I'd love to heare some other testimonials. Coldspring - what's the deal with your reel?

[troutbum479]

I bought one of their reels for my 7wt. last year for smallmouth. The reels are as tough as any out there. I've fished mine very hard including one trip for Florida catching 12-15 pound black drum. NO problems yet. They price them so cheap because thats what they have in them.Abel and Tibor reels are nice but at $700-$1000 no way.How does time and material add up to that much money.

[Geoff]

You bring a valid point, is an Abel reel REALLY have 800 bucks worth of material, design, technology and labor into it??? i find it hard to believe.

On a side note, the vest comes with a pair of "fly boxes" built into the upper section, however to help with the cost there is no foam in them. HOWEVER, the fishpond replacement foams for the sagebrush vest, are goign to fit in there just perfectly, and Hargrove can order them

[3wt]

I totally believe that the cost of their reels more really reflects what goes into them. There is no way I could ever spend, oh, let's say over $200 for a reel (maybe I'm cheap) - And for me that would have to be a very special reel.

So I guess there's something to be said about developing your own design, using your own know-how to get it drawn up and made, doing your own testing, and then selling it direct. The big companies pay big salaries and royalties for all of this stuff I guess, and then they still need to make a profit and create the impression of "high-endness."

I think I'm willing to take a $90 gamble for my next reel.

[Coldspring]

I wouldn't give $90 for an Allen, there are established brands that make decent reels for not a whole lot more. I'd rather have a $15 Cortland from Wally World, but that's my opinion.

[troutbum479]

take apart an Allen reel and a $15 Cortland.You will notice the quality of the Allen and the cheapness of the Cortland. $90 for a quality large arbor reel with sealed bearings and drag with anodizing is a steal.

[Geoff]

I agree. This Allen reel is leaps and bounds superior over other reels i own. It puts the St. Croix, Cabelas Prestiege Plus and Orvis reels i own to complete shame. The construction of it alone is superior. Hell the Orvis reel doesnt even have an adjustable drag. that same reel they sell for about 50 bucks, no way i would ever pay that much for it ( it was given to me in a contest ). I'm going to put the Alpha into action tomorrow, see what i can get with it. If the trout arent biting i'll fish the pond with it