Fly fishing gear is a big part of Casting Across. I’ve always enjoyed the aesthetics, the marketing, and, most importantly, the function of fly fishing gear. Consequently, I’ll review new products on the site from time to time. But appreciating fly fishing gear shouldn’t only be about  the latest model or newest technology. The things that you’ve fished with for years – for decades ought to be celebrated as well.

It is in that spirit that I put together this gear review. Although some products are old or even out of production, their value compounds with use, experience, and familiarity. We should enjoy what we use when we fly fish, especially if we’ve enjoyed it for a long time.

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Today, large arbor reels are the norm. A cursory search yields results showing only about one in ten reels have a traditional spool. Only twenty years ago the inverse was the case. The first generation Battenkill Large Arbor was released in the early 2000s. Subsequent models bearing the same name have come out in the years since, but they bear little resemblance to the design and engineering of the first reel. That first model has stood the test of time and countless fish.

Large Arbor

The industry transition to large arbor formats reflected a pragmatic, function-over-form mentality. For generations, fly reels all looked similar. Porting, colors, and frames varied from model to model, but the smallest trout reels and the largest big game reels on differed in size. Consequently, line would be wound around a tight central spool that fit over the drag spindle. For those big game reels, it meant hundreds of yards of backing and line coiled on itself within an already heavy frame.  Expanding the arbor allowed for larger coils, resulting in less line memory (easier casting) and quicker retrieval  (faster reeling). What started off as a helpful design for saltwater anglers quickly made its way into all fly fishing. Orvis’ entry into the fray was the Battenkill Large Arbor.

Less Engineering

Retailing for under $200, the reel was solid but relatively simple. There are few moving parts and no real weak points. A screw-in plastic plate guards the drag mechanism. While it is not sealed by any stretch of the imagination, it protects the reel from quick submersions and debris. The drag itself is sturdy, providing all an angler needs to fight trout, warmwater, and all but the largest saltwater species. As is the case with any reel, basic maintenance will keep it running indefinitely.

Legacy Name

While the CFO label possesses a level of prestige in the  product line,  for most anglers  Battenkill is most synonymous with Orvis. The Battenkill line had gone through a number of “Marks” over the 20th century. The contemporary model retained the aesthetics of the classic designs, while offering a more robust disc drag system. The Large Arbor bore no resemblance to the Battenkill whatsoever (especially in the optional gold finish), although the disc drag and price point were quite similar. Future iterations of Battenkill reels would bring  different models into slightly more uniformity.

Lasting Quality

My BLA II has been in heavy use since I purchased it in the first month of its release. I asked a lot of it at first, packing it tight with 6-weight line for smallmouth and light steelhead. For the last decade it has been my go-to 5-weight reel, and, more recently, a spool is loaded with line for euro-nymphing. It is a light reel, balancing well on all but the most delicate or bulky rods. The ergonomics aren’t fancy, but I can use the handle and adjust the drag knob without a second thought. Made in England by British Fly Reels, the first runs of the Battenkill Large Arbor have proven to be resilient angling tools.

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You can find original Battenkill Large Arbor reels on the second hand market. The BLA I is designed for the lightest trout weights. Models go up from there, including the BLA V which can accommodate large saltwater species.