Well my new reel arrived yesterday. I am pretty excited. I managed to get an Orvis Battenkill 5/6 click and pawl reel. And got a great deal on it as well.
This is my second Orvis reel. I also own a Battenkill 5/6 disc drag. I haven’t decided whether I’ll put the c&p one on my 8’ 5wt or my Berkley PG40 8’ 6wt.
I know that Orvis takes a bashing from time to time, but I really like their reels. I wish I had bought a 7/8 instead of the Ross C4. Oh well you live and learn.
Good luck and, have fun with that new reel. Yeh, I’m awaiting two new ones. An Orvis BBS IV with spare spool and a BBS II. Gonna put the II on my 1wt. and the IV on my 6wt.
Had a custome rod made by “loudog” on this board but haven’t gotten out yet due to the horrible weather this past week. Saturday is supposed to be partly sunny but most of the day will be taken up at the range for recruit firearms qualifications.
I really like those Orvis reels. Haven’t tried any of the BBS or the Mid Arbor, but I bet both are fine reels. Heck their Orvis, so why wouldn’t they be?
They are the “others”, made by British Reel Works; they were bought from Blue Quill Angler out in Colorado after receiving a new Battenkill Large Arbor direct from Orvis that was quickly sent back. The new “Chinese made” reels look like crap. Sorry JC, I read “Bubbles” but, I don’t care, I called and made sure they had the old ones with “Made in England” on the reel foot.
As with many companies these days, Orvis says, and unabashedly, they can get seven workers over there for the same money they pay one over here. Sorry, I’d rather pay the Crown…
Last Sunday I fished a private bass pond with a new 8wt H&H IM6 rod I just wrapped, along with a Battenkill disc 7/8 I got on ebay. Now I have two Battenkill 7/8’s and 3 extra spools and I’m gonna sell off an Okuma sierra 7/8. I am agonizing on what reel to get for my 4wt. Orvis BBS is one choice, possibly a Lamson Radius just because they look wierd.
I was very disappointed when I heard that Orvis was having their reels made in China and not in England anymore. But that’s the business world. But that’ll make my Battenkills that much more near and dear to my heart.
You couldn’t pry my British made Battenkill 3/4 Click & Pawl from me even if you killed me. That reel, along with my Ross Colorado 0 will never ever leave my arsenal. Those BBS reels look awesome and I really like that silver finish.
Jim, I’m anxiously awaiting that report of how the rod fishes for you. What 1wt do you have as I am thinking about building a DanCraft 6’10" 3pc.
I just got 2 new blanks in and will be building a new 6.5’ 2wt Forecast Blank, which feels more like a 3/4wt to me, and a 9’ 4pc 6wt from the Cabelas Traditional Blank. I really like IM6 blanks since they are usually moderate action and very durable.
Trust me, I am fully aware of the monsoon conditions as they caused me to endure a 12 hour trip home from Indiapolis yesterday! Saturday could be the day according to the forecasts so good luck.
That Orvis 1wt sounds sweet. Don’t be nervous about taking that little 4wt out in the rain, I assure you that it can handle it!!
I’ll be sure to post pics of the newly finished 2wt and 6wt when they are finished.
Dave,
I know I touted Teton reels, but “Wirebender” from FAOL & I are going down to Mad River Outfitters in Columbus today so I can buy an Orvis Battenkill Barstock for my “soon to arrive” Sage 9’ 6wt VT2 rod. Reel they have is English mfg, but biggest key is that Orvis customer service! Bottom line is that ANYTHING is wonderful, UNTIL something goes wrong…that’s when the level of customer service becomes an issue, & if Orvis has an equal, it’s LL Bean!!!..need I say more?
Obviously, I am an Orvis fan, & this reel seems to be a winner…I KNOW the company is.
BTW, please note that Mad River Outfitters is over 100 miles from me, but they ARE independents, & the first time I went there, I got lost, showed up 10 minutes before closing time, stayed an hour & a half PAST closing time, spent a lousy 20 bucks, and was NEVER made to feel rushed!!!..Any questions as to why I will drive that far, regardless of price?..It’s called “customer service”, and Mad River Outfitters could write a book about it. God Bless 'em!!!
Mike
“I’ve HAD muh say!”…
George MacMichael from The Real Mccoys
[This message has been edited by ohiotuber (edited 14 October 2005).]
I hear you loud and clear. For some reason, there are those that have a rub for Orvis and LLBean, but I have always gotten good service and quality products from them. I wish we had a store close to where I live.
i have a battenkill that i’ve had for 10 years and it’s still as good as the day i bought it. just bought a cfo I, a fine little reel. not reel (pun intended!) happy with their salt water selection, though…
i think what you say is true of all the high end ff companies, jc. marketing a product has become more important that manufaturinig a good product. there are exceptions, like the albrights and ll beans, but that push for bigger, faster, more accurate, and, of course, more expensive equipment just creates a downward spiral.
Yesterday, Keith Fair (Wirebender here on FAOL) & I drove 100+ miles to Columbus, OH to Mad River Outfitters. I had been there once before with Mike Murgida & we got to the store about 10-15 minutes before closing…we were there an hour AFTER closing & NEVER felt rushed! In fact, I mentioned several times that we should leave & we were told there was absolutely no hurry. THAT friendly atmosphere is why I felt it was worth the somewhat lengthy drive. Second trip was no disappointment. Keith & I were not only treated very well, but got some good natured “ribbing” as well. MY kind of place! I bought a tying dvd & an Orvis Battenkill barstock reel with backing for my Sage rod I won here. I will post when the rod is received. Should be early next week as it was to be shipped on Monday,10/10 (UPS Ground, I think)
Mike