Battenkill Large Arbor Fly Reels

Introduction:

The Battenkill Large Arbor Reel combines the great attributes of Battenkill reels - unparalleled value and dependability - in an innovative, award-winning, large arbor design. In saltwater or fresh, in line weights one through nine, The Batenkill Large Arbor gives the angler more advantages for less money than any other reel on the market today.

• Winner of Fly Rod & Reel Magazine's 2005 Readers Choice Award

Features:

Machined Construction: Like the Vortex, the Battenkill Large Arbor is machined from solid bar-stock, aerospace grade 6262-T6 aluminum.

Benefits:
• 6262-T6 material is the highest quality bar-stock on the market, providing the finest precision and finishing possible.
• Machined parts are significantly stronger and more durable than cast parts.
• More precise fit of parts with more exacting tolerances.
• A cast spool is a press fit, two-part assembly, whereas a machined spool is a single piece of bar stock. This results in a more durable, precise, aesthetically pleasing component with no fit parts to loosen over time.

Large Arbor Design: The Battenkill Large Arbor was designed as a true large arbor reel—not a redesign of a traditional arbor reel. Like the Vortex, Battenkill Large Arbor was designed with the idea that there would never be more than a 30% reduction in pick-up rate from a full spool to an empty spool.

Benefits:
• Less change in spool diameter as a running fish takes line means the drag setting stays consistent.
• Battenkill Large Arbor 9/10 picks up 12 inches of line with a full spool, and still picks up 8 ½ inches on an empty spool (compared with only 6 inches down to one inch with a conventional reel).
• Ability to get fish on the reel faster.
• Faster line pick-up reduces chance of slack line tangling, in both boat and wade fishing.
• Line comes off the reel in larger coils, preventing tangles and reducing line memory.
• For 2001 we have changed line designations on reel to Roman Numerals to allow more versatility for line weights.

Dramatically Improved Off-Set Drag System: The drag system on the Battenkill Large Arbor was based on the proven reliability of the original Battenkill drag design. Improvements have been made, however, to tailor the drag to a large arbor design. Improvements include:

• Battenkill Large Arbor has 200% more drag surface area than our Battenkill disc reels.
• Greater heat dissipation across greater surface area.
• Ultra smooth transition from static (still reel, not in motion) to dynamic (reel in motion with drag engaged) friction upon startup (stiction).
• Low start-up inertia helps to protect fine tippets during drag start-up.

New Double Pawl Center Gear: The center gears on the traditional and Large Arbor Battenkill reels posses the same outer dimensions and could be interchangeable. However, the Battenkill Large Arbor gear features a new second internal pawl.

Benefits:
• Reduces the travel between gear teeth, resulting in 50% less back-travel before drag engages.
• Improved retrieve click sound.

Ultra Light Design: Unique frame and spool design, along with premium 6262 aluminum combine to create an extremely lightweight reel.

Benefits:
• Reduced fatigue after a long day of casting.
• Improved balance on a fly rod.

Trout and Saltwater Designs: Two different size drags have been designed for the new Battenkill Large Arbor. A trout size drag utilized in the I, II, and III models, and a big game size drag designed for the IV and V models.

Trout Size Drag in the I, II and III models

Benefits:

• Gentle ramp from minimum to maximum drag settings are ideal for freshwater fish from the smallest Battenkill brookies too biggest San Juan bows.
• Provides 0 – 2.75 pounds drag.

Big Game Drag in the IV and V models

Benefits:
• Larger drag surfaces and greater gear diameters for maximum stopping power for Redfish to Tarpon.
• Provides 0 to 4.5 pounds drag.

Simple Right to Left Hand Conversion: Just remove the drag cover and flip the center gear. Gear is marked with “R” and “L” for clear operation.

Convertible to Silent Retrieve: Just remove the click pawl, flip it over, and place it back in the same slot for safekeeping.

Hardest Anodized Finish on the Market: The Battenkill Large Arbor fly reel features the hardest anodized finish on the market today (7.5.2 mil-std 171).

Benefits:
• Increased corrosion resistance, enabling all models to be used in salt water.
• The highest degree of scratch and impact resistance.

Incredibly Low Price: Starting at $175, this reel is much more affordable and delivers many more benefits than its higher priced competitors.

Benefits:
• Spools start at $80, allowing anglers to conveniently carry a wider range of specialty fly lines.
• These low prices allow the novice to seriously consider purchasing a high quality, technically superior, large arbor reel.
• Allows veteran anglers the opportunity to upgrade from traditional reels.

View the Battenkill Large Arbor Fly Reels at Orvis

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