Ready to upgrade a couple of my reels. Looked at the TFO BVK's, Orvis Hydros. Any other recommendations and or opinions on these two. Looking at 4wt and 5wt.'s
Thanks for Input!

Those are both excellent reels. As they will most likely be mainly line holders (unless you are gunning for some really big fish) either ought to suffice. 6 of one, half a dozen...

Look at Abel's?

I have the lamson guru 1.5. I haven't used it a ton, but it seems nice and smooth and well made. It is made in Idaho vs the others you mentioned being made overseas. The guru is a fully machined aluminum reel. I don't think they cost any more than the others you mentioned and they may be less.

Smurfs,

What fish will you be primarily targeting with these 4wt / 5wt ?

The reason I ask is that would determine,for me, what reel to go after. Generally speaking, reels in those weights are pretty much just line holders, for the most part.

The Orvis Hydros has had a design problem with the running line slipping through the line guard/spool interface. I would be very careful about one of those.....but I have heard they have re-designed to fix the problem...but I wonder.

I don't have experience with the TFO BVK''s but have had larger TFO reels and been happy with them (within limited drag stress situations)

As far as i'm concerned the best trout reel out there is the Ross evolution/LT. Zero start up inertia to protect light tippets, good light to medium drag reel, light weight for all day casting. I have them on my 4wt and 5wt rods.

Go to Ebay and watch for deals, There are a lot of evolution's on there to be had at a good price if you are patient.

I did buy the new Hydros for my 7wt. It seems to be a decent reel but I have not used it enough to comment at this time.

I have an Orvis Hydros on the 2 wt. and on one of the 8 wts (which replaced an older Hydros that I broke). I have one of the new Hydros reels on one of the 5 wts. Haven't had that problem with any of them. The newest one is only a couple of months old, but the others range back several years.

Thanks for everyone's imput, targeting mostly trout Northern N.M. and Southern C.O..

I have and like both the Lamson Liquid 1.5 on my 4 and 5 wts, and the Redington Zero 2/3 on my 2wt.

+1 lamson liquid or remix. I would get the reel with three spools package witha case its a great deal. I have trout line, sink tip, and a bass fly taper on the three different spools.

I don't have a 5 wt, but I prefer click n pawls for 4 wts and under. Galvan Brookie would be my choice.

Galvan Brookie is an awesome reel. I'm also interested in the Ross Colorado LT. Beautiful.

Check out the Allen Trout II. I have quite a few Allen reels ranging from the trout II to the Krakens. All have served me well the last 3 years I've had them and they've seen a lot of abuse.

Have you figured out that asking about a Reel is kind of like asking about a fly tying Vise? Most people's favorite brand is whichever one they own.

As for the original question, I've been using a TFO BVK on an 8 wt primarily on Lake Texoma pretty much since this reel model was introduced. I've been happy with it. I got one for a 5 wt about 2 years ago and I've really liked that reel. It's a nice light weight reel that has worked very well on the lighter rod.

I've never been a situation with either of them to put heavy stress on the drag, so I can't really comment on the durability of the drag if you're planning to take it into saltwater to chase large/fast fish.

I also have a BVK reel on the rod I teach with, and this reel has proven to be very durable to external wear. Instructor rods and reels have a hard life and the BVK has held up well, much better than the reel that was its predecessor.

I have several BVK reels and I like them. They've held up well.

I have never fished the other reel, the Orvis Hydro, so I can't comment about it. I just don't know anything about it.

Good luck!

Thanks guys!