Allen & Co. Alpha Reel And Mesh Vest

[flytyer57]

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.

I own 3 Ross Cimmarons that I paid about $120 each for. The extra spools cost like $75 each. Smooth drags, quiet, and backed by a company I can trust. I don't think Ross will be out of business next week either.

[Coldspring]

I own 3 Ross Cimmarons that I paid about $120 each for. The extra spools cost like $75 each. Smooth drags, quiet, and backed by a company I can trust. I don't think Ross will be out of business next week either.

Exactly! I happen to have a Ross myself, now.

I do agree that some reels are a little inflated due to the name and the middleman mark-ups, and the Allen might be better than the $15 Cortland, but I would rather have the $28 Scientific Anglers at Wally World if my fishing was depending on it.

I'd bet you can get an Allen less than the retail, just ask. Or, you could just go to eBay and get one of the many non-branded, precision machined, large arbor, carbon disc drag reels that are just like it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fly-Reel-Large-Arbor-6-8-wt-NEW-2010-precison-machine-/110529541936?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bc12f730

[flytyer57]

Exactly! I happen to have a Ross myself, now.

I do agree that some reels are a little inflated due to the name and the middleman mark-ups, and the Allen might be better than the $15 Cortland, but I would rather have the $28 Scientific Anglers at Wally World if my fishing was depending on it.

I'd bet you can get an Allen less than the retail, just ask. Or, you could just go to eBay and get one of the many non-branded, precision machined, large arbor, carbon disc drag reels that are just like it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fly-Reel-Large-Arbor-6-8-wt-NEW-2010-precison-machine-/110529541936?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bc12f730

I checked out that Allen webpage and looked at that Alpha reel. From what I could see, it's machined out of aluminum bar stock like most reels, but the machining looked like it could be done a lot better. If I actually held one in my hand, took it apart and looked closely at one, I might change my mind. But I will not buy one sight unseen and hope to get my money back if I'm not satisfied with it.

[3wt]

I think retail on a Cimmaron C1(i think) has been over $150 for a long time. I own one and have absolutely loved it for a long time - in fact I'm kind of a full fledged hat-wearin Ross guy. I will say that the criticism of them being a little loose is valid. My brother has a cabelas LSR and the overall "feel" is nicer than my ross. Given the LSR does have plenty of criticism too (i.e. sticking drag). I'm pretty sure they don't make either any more anyway.

As far as mahined aluminum disc drag reels of any real quality level, I don't know if there is really anything neare the $100 mark. I still don't really get the antimosity towards Allen. I know nothing about them, and I would really love to hear some actual negative criticism. If you don't trust their reels, why? I get distrust of unproven startups that might not be around to back up a product, but for the right price it's not much of a gamble. I respect somebody trying to make a quality product and selling it at a realistic price point. Like I said, I don't see much competition at this price point if they are near as nice as they look - I'm looking at the pictures right now and just don't see any machining problems.

[troutbum479]

I own a Lamson radius, Ross rhythm, Cabelas sla, Allen alpha and some others. The Allen gets used more than the others mainly because its on my six weight. The Ross is awesome but pricey, Lamson was a waste of money and the Cabelas sla is on my trout rod. For the price the Allen reel is hard to beat. Mine has been laid down in sand, caked with salt from the gulf and has yet to fail me. Just my opinion they are hard to beat for the money.And all the negative comments and reviews are from people that have never laid hands on an Allen reel.

[Coldspring]

Just my opinion they are hard to beat for the money.And all the negative comments and reviews are from people that have never laid hands on an Allen reel.

Well, you can beat them for the money by going to eBay and getting another version not called Allen. Or you could get the special introductory price that only Justin offers if you PM him directly. Or you could ask Justin to send you a complimentary fly line, fly box, magnetic net holder, or if you're not happy with the reel he might even send you more fly line, or even another reel for your trouble.

I'm not against anyone trying to start up a new business, but right now the current business model is having the stuff shipped in from China, posting on various forums that they are offering a special discount on this retail new $100 reel for ONLY $50, having some friends register on the forum and bragging about how great they are, and then paying for advertising on the forum so that any critics will get squelched by the moderator that is so glad to keep his forum going with much needed advertising dollars.

You could just order a carton of the reels and go into business for yourself, you could even name them after yourself.

Here is the Alpha and XL reel, that's also where the fly boxes and line comes from.

http://www.pulanxin.com/display.asp?id=1278

http://www.pulanxin.com/display.asp?id=1499

I think Allen @ Co (not sure who Allen is?) has plans to start building some of their stuff in the states, but you know it will be priced up there with the rest of them. I'll wait and see what they come up with in the future. But for now, I'll stick with my Chinese imported Ross's, or Lamsons, or whatever.

That's all I'm going to say about it, I just don't understand what the big deal is about these reels. If it works for you that's fine, I guess. I've laid hands on a couple and won't be laying hands on anymore of them.

[3wt]

If that's all true I get it. But comparing the reels I'm not sure it is true.

[ness]

I'm not against anyone trying to start up a new business, but right now the current business model is having the stuff shipped in from China, posting on various forums that they are offering a special discount on this retail new $100 reel for ONLY $50, having some friends register on the forum and bragging about how great they are, and then paying for advertising on the forum so that any critics will get squelched by the moderator that is so glad to keep his forum going with much needed advertising dollars.

Those accusations are a bit strong. I haven't seen any evidence of what you're talking about here on OAF, and even if I had, I've been around long enough to know that sometimes that's just how things work. It's always best to make up your own mind, and not put too much stock in what you hear other folks saying.

Not sure what your beef with Allen equipment is. I don't see a lot of talk about the quality of the stuff, just gripes about their business plan, where it's from, how it can be had for less $, etc. I'd be more interested in knowing how well it works; I can filter out the rest pretty easily.

BTW, claiming a $100 list price and a special $50 discounted price isn't exactly a new idea, and it's not dishonest either. It tugs at that part of us that wants to get a deal. Some folks are more susceptible to that than others are.