We have made the plunge and have picked up Abel Reels for 2009. That means we will be offering their entire product line from the small creek trout reels to the big game saltwater reels and even the legendary Abel Pliers and Abel Tools. Come check them out. As to your question, “why should i spend this much on a fly reel?”
Well, my recent trip to Harker’s Island, NC for false albies was educational. A lot of the “new” drag style reels with teflon forcing cones are pretty darn good reels—up to a point. That point is right about the time to hook into large, strong, fast moving fish that simply require hard drag settings to control. The forcing cone type drag systems just can’t take the pressure—they tend to start and stop under heavy load. I tested these drags side by side with the Abel cork drag reels and there is simply no comparison! The Abel drag is smooth as silk no matter how much you crank it down. These reels are pretty much bullet proof. Come take a look. They are available in custom options as well.
Gordon
