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Fly Fishing with Doug Macnair
A Product Update: A Real Reel for the People^©

By Doug Macnair

 

Every once and awhile something comes along that cheers my old worn out heart.

 

How about that?  This time the good news comes from Scientific Anglers in the form of a new series of fly reels.  For a happy change of pace, this one doesn't cost either the arm or the leg you have become accustomed to.  For a change, the cost amounts to little more than a hangnail, something none of us will ever miss.

 

What is this gift from the high-tech guys at Scientific Anglers?  It is none other than the Mastery Concept series of reels.  I reviewed two: the Large Arbor (LA)  Concept 2M 79LA and, at the other end of the series, the Concept 345.  The 79LA runs all of $65.00, and the Concept 345, a hefty $35.00!  I call both remarkable, if for nothing more than price. But there is a lot more!

 

As many of you know, I've mentioned the Pflueger Medalist many times as a fairly reliable inexpensive reel.  Consequently, when I hear of reels running between $35.00 and $65.00, said to be of value, my usual reaction is. What other bridges do you have for sale besides the Golden Gate?  Surprise -- from now on, I will keep my smart mouth shut!  For about the same money, there is no comparison between the Pflueger and the Sci Angler Concept series: the Concept reels are by far superior!  In fact, the two that I evaluated rival reels costing Mega dollars more (Of course, if you are into collecting the original Pflueger 1400 series made in the USA, please continue.)

 

When the Concept reels arrived, I eagerly ripped the package open and began fiddling with both: checking the ease of changing from left to right hand retrieve, the drag release and settings, spool-to-frame tolerances, etc.  At the outset, let me state that the LA is a true large arbor reel and not one of the fakes still on the market.  Having so stated, both reels are fabricated from graphite instead of a solid block of machine aluminum.  If I am correct, I suggest that you avoid smashing either reel against a rock, asphalt, or concrete.  If you do, I'll bet most anything breakage will occur.  Of course, I try to make it a point not to smash any of my equipment against rocks, asphalt, or concrete.

 

What to say?  I remain impressed!  Here's why:  The Concept LA2 weighs just a bit over 6 oz., and handles line weights 7 through 9.  That's lightweight for a salt class reel!  The frame is a full cage and the spool-to-frame fit is better than many reels costing four times more!  In fact, I don't have a reel in my deck where the spool to frame fit is better - that includes a couple of Abel's, a Billy Pate, and several others costing much more. 

 

The bottom-line?  You will never be concerned with spool wobble with these reels!  They are extraordinarily tight.  Want more?  You've got it!  This reel has a compression disc drag that works, and works smoothly.  Overcoming inertia is not a problem.  Both the LA79 and the 345 release line as smoothly as a bunch of other reels I own, most of which cost Mega dollars more.

 

How tough is the drag?  Frankly, I don't think it would stop Jaws, the Great White or, for that matter, the charge of a 120 lb. Tarpon.  On the other hand, most of us who cannot afford to fish for these more exotic trophies should be content in the thought that any red, speckled trout, or bonefish is fair game for a fly fisher using this reel.  That, my friends, says a lot for the confidence I place in this reel.  As for the 345?  It's owns basically the same drag, suggesting there are few place that a smallmouth bass or trout can run that you can't stop.

 

Back to the LA - I loaded two spools:  one with a Orvis bug-heavy forward taper 8-weight floater and the other with an Orvis 7-weight 38 ft. intermediate shooting head backed by Scientific Anglers Salt running line.  Equipped with a couple of my favorite rods, off I went to Galveston Bay.  Unfortunately, I didn't catch anything; in fact, several hours of throwing my favorites flies in sheltered waters failed to even bring a strike.  Seems to me that muddy water in the heat of a Texas summer seldom brings anything but sweat and that sticky feeling you've been dipped in brine.  Come to think of it you have -(My revenge will come with the first breath of cool weather.)

 

Of course, there is always the question of maintenance when you fish the salt -- but in this case forget it!  The nice thing about graphite is that it doesn't rust.  Bring it home, care for your line as discussed long ago, and rinse the reel in sudsy warm water, rinse thoroughly, dry, and lubricate appropriately.  Even the laziest of slobs shouldn't find that too hard a chore.  And, for those of you with little pride, but lots of money, feel free to put these reels away wet.  At these prices they can easily afford to buy a new one, or two, or three...

 

The Concept 2M LA is also available in a 5/6 obviously suited for 5- and 6-weight lines.  The Concept 56LA has an open frame and, of course, being smaller, is even lighter in weight than its big brother.  I should think there could be little difference in performance.  The worth of the 345 self-evident: an inexpensive reel, with a more than capable drag, easily suited for a wide variety of waters.  

 

I am amazed and impressed!  In today's world of ever escalating prices without any increase in quality, along comes a fly reel for "every man" or, for that matter, "every woman."  Who said that fly fishing is only for the wealthy?

 

 

© Copyright:  Douglas G. Macnair, 2001-2008

 

 

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