The Battenkill by Orvis is undoubtedly one of the best reels in their lineup. In this Orvis Battenkill Reel review article, we’re going to dive deep into the positives and negatives of the reel and we’re also going to compare it with other Orvis and reels and examine the comparison. So, without any delay let us get started.
Top Orvis Fly Reels
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Orvis: Who Are They?
If you go online or on a retail shop to buy a reel or any fishing gear for that matter, one company that you’re going to see 9 out of 10 times is Orvis. It is one of the most premium companies out there that has a really good following. The company serves people from all around the globe.
Founded in 1865 by Charles F Orvis, the company first started in Manchester Vermont and initially, it served as the go-to manufacturer of fishing gears. Today, the company has its hands on other ventures as well. It has expanded to sportswear and travel accessories. But the core of the company is still fly fishing and wing shooting products. There are also other types of fishing accessories that they sell. All in all the core of the company is still on fly fishing.
The company has a very easy going operation. Currently, the Perkins family runs the business and it is headquartered at Southwest Vermont. The company is operated from the UK and Virginia. Despite not being publicly traded, Orvis isn’t a mere local brand. The company has expanded its retail shops all around the world. With a catalog of over 5000 products online, Orvis has also changed its business model with the time. More than 1700 people work for the company and it has a business of 45 million per annum. These statistics are constantly changing for the better. But the company isn’t just statistically doing well, it does well in the satisfaction department too. The customer base of the company is loyal. Orvis also focuses extensively on its Online Portals and blogs where it gives you content that is helpful to everyone.
Orvis Battenkill Reel Review
Battenkill Reels have been a staple reel in Orvis’ long history. These reels are very simple and trouble-free and they can be accessed easily. The new Battenkill Reel features technology mixed with a classic design that has superb performance. The design improvements make sure of the looks and performance. The design has been updated with more drag power. The mid arbor design is the selling point of the reel which is much better than the Battenkill reels that came before it. Underneath the arbor, you get a sealed drag system similar to the Hydros SL and it also has carbon and stainless steel surface. The drag system can be adjusted with a click and the reel has an aluminum built of 6061-T6 material. The design here is ergonomic with a Delrin handle. The retrieve can be changed from left to right and it is a rather simple mechanism.
The reel comes with a Mid Arbor design- The finish here is ported jewel making for an impressive quality
- The sealed drag system is similar to the Hydros SL
- Ultralight design is present that balances its shorted rods
- The reel can be adjusted to left or right-hand retrieve
- Affordable price
- Build Quality
- Minimalistic design
- Limited backing capacity
- Spool size
Let us first discuss the pros, the machined aluminum build is a huge strength. The weight is light enough. Another advantage is the design which is simple but a bit different. It has a traditional click and pawl design. The drag system of the reel can be disassembled fast and it can be [ut together easily as well. On the downside, backing capacity is probably where the reel will really annoy you especially when you’re trying to catch a bigger fish which is at a distance. As far as the spool size goes, it is too narrow and it doesn’t give much room to fly lines and consequently, results in less backing. These two drawbacks really hinder the performance of this reel.
Other Top Orvis Reel
Orvis Hydros SL
The main feature of the Hydros SL is the spool design that satisfies most people. On the downside, it is priced very aggressively and the knob is also something that most people have a problem with. The drag system as a whole is a huge advantage though.
Orvis Clearwater
As far as the Orvis’ Clearwater goes, the large-sized arbor that it comes in has an impressive aluminum build that is really affordable. The reel is pretty powerful with a retrieving mechanism that can be compared with expensive reels. This reel is just an entry level reel so, a pro hunter might not be the one who’ll particularly enjoy it. For a new hunter, it is perfect.
Orvis Mirage
The Orvis Mirage reel reflects quality, no pun intended! The quality is displayed by its solid titanium and aluminum construction. This build though, means more weight and people can be a bit bothered by it. It’s not that bad though. One flaw that does make a problem is the drag customization which doesn’t have unit increments meaning it’s either full drag or no drag. Kind of a bummer if you think about it.
Wrapping Up
The Battenkill reel stacks up good against other reels of same specs. Battenkill’s superiority lies in the Build and Design aspect of things. Also, the Battenkill is a well-priced product that gives other Orvis reels a literal run for the money. On the downside, the Battenkill’s backing capacity is something we’re not fond of and we’d have appreciated a bigger spool size. Having said that, the reel does meet most of our expectation therefore, we can’t help but recommend the reel to our readers. Go and get the Orvis Battenkill without a second thought!