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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It was the spring of 2001. I had just spent a lot of money on my first saltwater fly rod. The 8-weight was intended to be used that coming summer, when I would spend a week in Florida chasing sea trout, redfish, and who knows what else in the Gulf. A lot of time, energy, and, again, money went into getting the perfect rod.

For whatever reason, I treated the reel as an afterthought. As July drew near, it dawned on me that I couldn’t just waltz into a local fly shop with a hundred dollar bill and get something functional. Since it was 2001, I turned to eBay. What ensued was a fast and furious week of trying to find the right reel at the right price. When the dust settled, I had a Teton reel in my hands.

It wasn’t a big name, but the reviews were good. It didn’t have the flashy design of some of the newer reels, but the technology was solid. What’s more, it held an 8-weight line and the price was right.

While no trophies challenged the Teton that summer in Florida, with ease it handled use, abuse, and the countless fish I did catch. Soon, it would be used on landlocked stripers, largemouth bass, and carp. Over four years of college in South Carolina, my 8-weight setup received more use than anything I owned. Moving to Pennsylvania and transitioning into more smallmouth angling, it quickly supplanted lighter weights and became my go-to. Lines cracked, rod ferrules split, and the Teton kept clicking. Now, up in New England, it is still my standard 8-weight reel for walking the beach.

The sealed drag still feels smooth, with a gentle start up that makes engaging aggressive fish simple. Just as simple is adjusting the drag on the fly with the large, nubby knob. While the finish looks bluish in some light and black in others, it is virtually scratch-free even though it has been dropped on rocks and hasn’t been cleaned meticulously. Any dings or bruises that are there haven’t hampered the performance, with the full cage design protecting the spool and inner components.

It is a great little reel. It certainly doesn’t look or feel like most of the reels designed for 8-weight use these days, but it works just fine. The Teton is just as comfortable in a tidal flat as it is on a salmon river. I’m convinced it will shrug off fine sand and river silt just as easily as it will play stripers and steelhead. And I’m convinced that it will continue to do so for two more decades.

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The original Teton Fly Reels went out of business in 2008. I’ve read a handful of accounts as to what transpired, but I’m not sure I can give an accurate history. What I do know is that you can find old Teton (including Trinity & Tioga models) reels online. A lot of them were made, and they bounce around auctions and sale sites. I was able to get a hold of a Teton spool relatively recently.

Teton USA has held the assets since 2009, and is producing a line of Teton Classic reels in the USA. I don’t have any experience with these reels, but they are worth checking out.