mic Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 All, I'm trying to decide on a reel for my (not yet bought) three weight rod. Does anyone have both the Ross Flywater and the Battenkill Bar Stock reels. If yes, which one do you prefer. If no, I would still like your two cents. Thanks In Advance
Njardar Posted January 21, 2011 Posted January 21, 2011 I recently purchased one of Allen Fly Fishing's Alpha 5/6 reels and I am very impressed with the quality. I haven't had a chance to use it yet but it sure looks well made and has some good reviews. Considering the cost it may be worth considering. - Charlie
Zack Hoyt Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 My first reel was a Flywater and IMO you cant go wrong with a Ross reel. I still use it alot, and it performs well. Zack Hoyt OAF Contributor Flies, Lies, and Other Diversions
jtram Posted January 22, 2011 Posted January 22, 2011 I have two Ross Flystarts, one for my 3wt and one for my 5wt, and neither has ever let me down. That said, I just got a Flyrise and the drag system on it is freaking sweet, and worth every penny of the $100 it will set you back. I have never used a Flywater, but would imagine it is also a workhorse. Never been around an Orvis reel, but would imagine they are good reels as well, mostly personal preference.
FlyFishinFool Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 Several years ago I purchased a Ross Flycast reel and a Ross Flystart reel for family members when they were starting out fishing. The less expensive Flystart reel has performed well, and is still being used by my daughter after several years of hard use. Thr Flycast reel was defective and the internal guts just fell apart the 2nd time it was used. Feathercraft replaced the Flycast reel and upgraded it to an Orvise Battenkill Barstock (BBS) reel for all the trouble we had. Additionally I own 2 other Orvis BBS reels and my brother has an Orvis BBS reel as well. The Orvis BBS reels are much better machined (Orvis is machined out of barstock, while the Ross is machined from a pre-cast reel), the BBS is lighter in weight and the drag on the Orvis BBS is better than the lower cost Ross reels. The Orvis BBS is not better than some of the more expensive Ross reels, but then you are not comparing apples-to-apples. Only disadvantage to the Orvis BBS is that it is a traditional arbor reel, while the Ross Flystart and Flycast reels are closer to a mid-arbor reel. The Orvis BBS is a little more in cost than the Ross low-end reels, but if you watch you can usually get the Orvis BBS reels on sale several times a year directly from Orvis, and can frequently get them on sale through BassPro. If I were to buy another reel at that cost level, I would take the Orvis BBS instead of the Ross Flystart in a flash. However, I would also check out the reels at Allen Flyfishing - they have some very nice reels at very good prices. Sure can't hurt to check them out! * ´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> `•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((º> .¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> I look in my fly box and think about what should guide my choice of the best fly: the amount/angle of sun on the water, the water temp & clarity, what bugs are hatching, what the fish might be eating, and what worked last time. Then I remember what an old man told me... " Ninety percent of what a trout eats is brown, fuzzy, about 1/2 inch long and underwater."
Gavin Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 I'd forget about both of them and buy a Lamson Konic....I've never had great luck with Ross...Cheers.
jdmidwest Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 Battenkill Barstocks have a funky drag on them that works it way off and is sorta cheap. If you rely on a drag to play a fish. Otherwise, it is a decent reel for the money. "Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously." — Hunter S. Thompson
BredMan Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 All, I'm trying to decide on a reel for my (not yet bought) three weight rod. Does anyone have both the Ross Flywater and the Battenkill Bar Stock reels. If yes, which one do you prefer. If no, I would still like your two cents. Thanks In Advance I just picked up a Ross Airius-1 reel from Cabela's for $99 and spare spool for $38. Both items were in the 'Bargain Cave' online. Haven't fished it yet but I have been doing some backyard casting. The reel feels very smooth and looks very nice. You might want to check out Cabela's Bargain Cave. They are constantly moving items in and out. Not always just clearance items either.
sean c Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 I own 3 Battenkill barstocks and they have all been great reels no problems at all.
Randall Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 I'd forget about both of them and buy a Lamson Konic....I've never had great luck with Ross...Cheers. I'll second that suggestion. Other than the velocity which I picked up on clearance, the Konic is easily the best reel I've got and comparable in price to what you're looking at. I have a BBS on my 3-weight that I like but I've had maybe a half dozen fish on the reel in the 4 or 5 years I've had it so I can't speak for reliability. Never fished a Ross. Cute animals taste better.
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