I just ordered a Ovis Battenkill large arbor for my saltwater 6 wt. As soon as I mentioned it to a couple of friends, they gave me their opinions on it(not favorable) Anyone have any thoughts on this reels?
Haskell

Hi Hack

I don't have one but check this out http://www.epinions.com/otdr_Flyfishing-Reels_Orvis-Orvis_Battenkill_Disc/display_~reviews

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RRhyne56
northtexasonthefly@attbi.com

I don't own a large arbor reel, but I do own 5wt & 9wt Battenkill Discs. I have had them for about 5 years, they've been to Alaska, to the coast & many of the lakes, rivers & creeks around the central Texas area & I've never had a problem with either of them. With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, great warranties & the quality of Orvis products, you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal in a true large arbor reel....by the way, I don't work for Orvis, just love their products. (I had a 9wt Trident rod snapped in half by a Chum Salmon in Alaska 2 years ago. When I got home, I sent it off & they replaced it for free.)

[This message has been edited by youngy (edited 09-09-2002).]

I'm also sort of partial to Orvis fly fishing gear. I don't have a Battenkill large arbor but I've got 5/6 and 7/8 Battenkills (disc) that I've been very pleased with. If you look at the quality, the weight and the price of reels, Orvis Battenkill and Clearwater reels are hard to beat. Doug

Thanks for the input guys. Doug, I thought the same, good value for the price. The negatives I have gotten is the spool is too shallow and you have to watch the line when reeling it in or it doesn't lay flat. I know the spool isn't very deep, you can only get 75 yards of backing on it so I ordered some of their gel spun backing to try on it. Plus with the return policy, if I don't like it , back it goes.
Haskell

Hack

New to this board, might add nice board it is too...First post here and all LOL...Just two cents worth here. I don't have a reel like that, but do have one a little shallow myself that I do love, I did try the gel spun backing on it at first, but what I have on there now and really like is the spiderwire for backing...Its pricey but works for me very well and I got an extra 100 yrds on mine from what I had before...Lays and rolls on good too...Good luck with the new reel and look forward to reading what you think of the reel later as time comes on with it...They do look very nice as I have pawed at them in the stores LOL...

Rowdy,
Welcome to the board. It is a great place to get advice.

As for the reel, I bought it. Wanted it for my 6 wt saltwater rig. It is a sweet little thing but, the lack of space for backing was such that I ended up sending it back. I even put gel spun on it and was only able to get 95 yards on, way to little for what I had in mind.
So I am back in the hunt for a good reel. Have started looking at the Ross reels and the new Battenkill Barstock. Luckily I have a while before I need it so can do more research

Haskell

Hack

Next one you get might check out what you can do with the spiderwire on the reel for backing, I too got one that was a little short on the backing but was the very reel I wanted...The spiderwire got way more backing on it than I ever need know, or at least hope... Check these here out, they are German made and not cheap, but are very well built JIMHO...I wanted one for the fact of the model I got had a lever drag. Those have been hard for me to find... www.steelfin.com

I do like the Anti-Reverse that Orvis has too, they too are not cheap either...Seems to be a problem I have had for quite sometime too. Everything I want is way high LOL... I bought the Vario 10LA and they show it for 220 yrds backing with 20lb test...I have almost 250 of spiderwire in a 60lb test in it...I do use mine on some heavy fish and often open water too...Has been just a wonderful reel...I had a hard time choosing between the AR7/8 Orvis reel and the one I got...I may soon get another too, I would love to have both of them...

I do love the lever drag feature of the Steelfin...I landed a 18 pound Coho up in WI last spring with it and I was ruined since LOL...But I will say that the drag release of the AR reel of the Orvis reel would be quite nice too in the way it would work for fast stripping off line for a fast cast...May have to have one of those too...They just need to make these more affordable LOL...I just got a new spring cat. from Orvis today too...They are like a drug dealer sometimes or at least the way I feel when they dangle the carrots in front of me like this...Check out the web site of Steelfin, there is a dealer in Colorado that I got mine from and those guys are wonderful to help you...This lever drag I got is a lite weight dude too. It on my GLX 8# 10 footer will not wear you out either...Good luck picking out the perfect one for you, hope this helps alittle anyway...

hey

Did you ever get a reel that fit the bill? Also, pardon my nosiness but what were you planning on going after with a 6 weight and all that backing? sounds like a bit of an adventure!

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RRhyne56, Flyfishing Warden
northtexasonthefly@attbi.com
http://www.robinscustomfliesandleaders.com

I have an Orvis Battenkill 3/4 Disc, not the large arbor but very nice with a smoooooth drag. It handles 2lb. tippets or 6lb. equally well. Excellent reel. If the Large Arbor models are as good you've got a honey. Ralph

Hey Hack, I can tell you from experience that 95yds of backing is all you will ever need for any flats species targeted with a 6wt. I have caught Redfish up to 30" and 5-6lb Bonefish all on my 6wt with a Ross Canyon 2 and would say I have about 100yds of regular 20lb backing. Just cut off the last 20' of the running line and pick up the extra space from that. I don't know what fish you intend to chase with a 6wt where 95yds wouldn't be enough. If the fish is that big switch up to a larger rod. You wouldn't hunt an Elephant with a .223. Just MHO.