Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the Orvis Battenkill Bar Stock reel. I know they were $129 when they first came out. Now they have dropped to $99 everywhere and on the Orvis website you can now get a free spool when you purchase one. Does anyone know if this is their way of trying to get rid of this reel. I just thought since they have been marking it down and giving away spools that they might be about to do away with this reel and I would like to get one before they do. Thanks
it’s just a post season sale to try to drum up some fly fishing gear sales. as far as i know, that reel will be around a while. as far as the price drop, the price dropped on all of their reels.
They dropped the price when they moved production from England to the Far East. If you can get a spare spool for free when you buy the reel that’s a h*ll of a deal.
I just bought one from the local Orvis affiliate. He told me that the price dropped because they had moved manufacturing and were passing the savings on to the customer (well some of them anyway). I don’t recall where he said it was moved from and to, but I could check if you are interested.
Have the BBS II, BBS III, and a BBS IV is on its way…superb reels, well made, tight and great drag systems.
The price was lowered when they left the British factory for China. I ordered a BK LA in gold several months back and sent it right back. The fit and workmanship was excellent…the gold color, to me, didn’t cut it.
I suggest you contact an Orvis dealer and ask for the “Made in England” reels while there’s still time if that’s what you prefer. I do.
Hey, I love take-out, but that’s where I draw the line.
Don’t get me wrong. I have reels made in Japan, China, Argentina and Korea as well as USA and am satisfied with them all. Over the years I have paid extra for Orvis reels ie: CFO’s and B’Kills because I thought, perhaps mistakenly, they were of a little better quality. All of those reels have been very good as well. I think the decision by Orvis to move their reel manufacturing from England to China was a miscalculation that will, in time, cost them dearly.
I have a couple of things made offshore too, and in a couple of cases I actually prefer them. I guess the “bottom line” to that is, if it’s what you want and you like it, go for it!
I like Orvis stuff! I don’t own a lot of it but my Battenkill Disc is the cat’s meow. I really like it. I might suggest that it’s time to “Strike While the Iron is Hot.” By that I mean it probably won’t be long till the price goes back up. (Like everything else) Now might be the best time to invest in the BBS.
As an “aside,” you might want to look at Cabela’s Bargain Basement. They have some Drake reels on sale for $59. I want one, and I’d buy one if I could. But we just got our home heating bill. Ahh, life in the Northern Tier can be spendy.
Life, is the time He gave you to determine where you want to spend eternity.
I have a Cabelas Drake reel for a 5 weight line its tolerances are not what I expected it to be I also have an Orvis Battenkill reel its tolerances are kick butt. I would definately go with an Orvis reel if you can afford.
Like Mahaska, I have a Battenkill LA I on my 3 wt. I also have a Battenkill BBS III on my 6 wt & with free spools, there is an outstanding possibility (more like probability) that I will pick up the BBS for a 4 wt & a 7 wt. They are fantastic reels…IMHO, the only reels I have used that compare quality & price are the Teton Tiogas.
Bottom line…how can you go wrong buying the Battenkill(s)??
Mike
It looks like that old CFO 123 of mine is the last Orvis reel I buy.
I refuse to knowingly support the Communist Red Chinese. They’re NOT our friends, I’m not theirs.
Sorry Orvis.
