I just picked up a Battenkill Bar Stock reel and was fortunate to get one of the English made models. My question is however, will the spools made in China fit this reel. Just thinking for down the road.
This is the first one I’ve gotten and it sure is one sweet reel.
I’ll check back later, for now I’m off to give it a try in the local pond.
Leo C.
Yes they will fit.The China made reels are an exact duplicate of the English according to a fellow church member who owns a flyshop.
I spoke to a very nice lady at Orvis regarding this exact question and all the tooling machinery has been sent from the England plant to china so it’s all the same… Only labor is cheaper so production costs are lower.
Does it really make a difference which zip code the CNC machine is in when a part is made?
RoyC
As a side note. The Pfleuger Medalist reel and spools - Made in USA and made in China are also compeltly interchangable. I sold an old DA 1494 to a friend and he purchased a new China spool. No issues.
Glad to hear there is no difference. I guess I just have a hang-up with the whole made in China thing. And Roy, you’re right, why should it make a difference. I do have, and fish regularly rods made overseas and I’m thankfull a decent casting rod can be found for a reasonable price. Perhaps I should have opted for a made in China reel to go on my made in China rod 
Leo C.