Can I ask for opinions on the Okuma Helios reels? They look pretty good to me for around the $150 mark I think at Cabelas. Perhaps there are other reasonable large arbour reels that perform and look cool?
I’m also real impressed with the look of the Orvis Battenkill large arbour. $198 at Orvis. mmmmm… very nice.
Thanks fellars. I’m just thinking about putting a #7 weight travelelling pack together for New Zealand and Tasmania next year. Advice appreciated.
Chris
[This message has been edited by Gringo (edited 21 September 2005).]
Gringo…have the Orvis large arbor. Outstanding workmanship, fit and finish. Also, have an Okuma Sierra, not the Helios, and it’s a little junky. But, you’re looking at a small price difference, so I’d go with the Orvis. Plus, I’ve dealt with Orvis over the years by eMail and telephone and they are extremely accomodating.
I don’t know this Okuma reel, but all the others I’ve used (and own) are a great value. Okuma makes machining equipment as its main product and these reels look like they are built by a company that knows how to machine something. THey are smooth, have great drag adjustments from an almost free spooling to locked tight. My only isue with them is their finish. The Magnitude seems better than the sierra or Integrity.
I have the Orvis Battenkill large arbor I (I think!) for my 3 wt St Croix Legend Ultra thanks to a bunch of Birthday & Christmas gift certificates. I love the reel. You will also be hard pressed to find better customer service than Orvis.
Mike
Okuma does produce some nicely machined reels. I have a Sierra and an Integrity; they both are good value in low priced reels.
The Helios has an anodized finish which is superior to their painted reels. Being anodized means that it also is bar stock rather than cast like their low end reels.
One of the first questions I have is, what is the warranty? Their other reels only have a one year warranty.
There are many good reels available now in the under $200.00 class with lifetime warranties and have good reviews from users.
I have an Orvis Battenkill LA and it’s a great reel. I also have a Galvan Rush, another great reel in that price class. I have also heard good things about the Ross CLA which is under $200.00.
I’ve been fishing an Orvis Large Arbor on my five weight for a bit over a year now and I love it. The fit/finish is outstanding and it is one smooth reel. If you’ve never held one in your hand it is much lighter than you’d expect it to be.
Anyway, I love mine. I don’t have any experience with the Okuma so I can’t comment on that.
I know nothing about Okuma, but have an oppinion about the Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor. Nice reel, but needs more room for backing. The Ross Rhythm 3.5 is an awesome reel, and is not much more expensive than the Orvis. Lots of backing room, a great reel, a great warranty.
Thanks guys - it looks like the Orvis then for me.
Joe: I looked at Galvan reels in Melbourne today for $A585.00 which would be about $US480 so a completely different ball park!
Okuma: I have several very nice Okuma overhead game and spin reels and they are great, yet I have never seen a fly reel with their brand.
Any recommendations on a 4 or 6 piece traveller in #7 weight? I have a St Croix LU in #2, but still don’t really know if I like it. It seems a tad on the soft side, yet hard to say as it’s only a #2.
Youv’e been a big help so far though everyone, thanks heaps.
Gringo, what model Galvan was that? The one I was talking about was the Rush. It is over $200.00 here in the US for the size you are talking about but no where near that much. It seems that the Orvis is about the same price as here?
The Orvis LA with it’s large diameter is the best for line pick up.
For a rod, have you tried the Redington CPS? At $249 US it is a very nice rod. If your looking for a super bargain, the Redington Crosswater is a surprisingly fast action rod at $79.00 in 4 piece.
Hey JC you gotta be a rich man. Mate bought one here, $2500 in the case with reel and line. That’s about $2000 US.
Joe, the Orvis stuff I am looking at the Orvis USA site and would buy direct so am quoting US dollars.
I don’t know what model Galvan. They have two, a cheaper fibre model and the titanium or whatever it is. You could look at the store site:
[url=http://www.proangler.com.au:b5b79]www.proangler.com.au[/url:b5b79]
Anybody have an Orvis Clearwater rod?
[This message has been edited by Gringo (edited 25 September 2005).]
Gringo, I have a 9 ft 4 wt Clearwater rod that I have been very happy with. I use it primarily for panfish and small bass. I think the Clearwater’s are very good rods, especially if you can find one on sale.
If you order from here don’t you get stuck with duty when it’s shipped?
Maybe you should just pay my way over there to fish so I can bring you the tackle; you would save some money. H’mm … sounds good but it’s probably illegal, darn!
I can tell you, what I spend in your country somebody COULD come out with a heap or gear!
Now, isn’t everything good illegal? Ha ha.
Sometimes I pay duty, sometimes I don’t. It is a little random, or so it seems. I hope nobody read that… I allow for duty etc in the price calculations and can still be way ahead on some items. Orvis for example, we have dealers here but the rods are not an item that has taken off in this country, similarly St Croix. Redington is available but not cheap.
TFO, Sage, Loomis are big sellers and compete with US prices so I’d buy local on those.
I bought most of my reels US.
I’m thinking I might get a Battenkill LA and Clearwater rod in #7. Orvis said they’d throw in a line as well, so it seems a fair deal to me.
Thanks everyone. You better come out here and I can show you some real fish.