Orvis Mirage reel is one of the best fly fishing reels available in the market right now. Today, in this Orvis Mirage Reel review article, we are going to see the features that make this reel popular to all anglers. We’ll do an in-depth review of this reel to determine if it is for you.
Table could not be displayed.So, without any further ado, let’s get into it. But first, let us see what kind of company Orvis is.
Orvis: Home of Fly Fishing Equipment
Orvis is one of the top level fishing companies which was established by a businessman named Charles F Orvis. It was founded in the 18th century and Manchester, Vermont is the place of origin of the company. Fast forward 3 centuries and today Orvis is a market leader in fishing equipment. Although the company has expanded and now has other ventures like sportswear and travel accessories, the company is mainly known for its fly fishing and wing shooting products. Plus the company has other relevant products in the fishing industry niche.
As far as the operational history of the company goes, it first had 10 warehouses and 18 retails in total. The company’s had its fair share of ups and downs over the years but the management is consistent and the products have always been top quality. Just after 10 years of Charles Orvis’ establishment, the company changed hands and since 1865, it is owned privately. The owners are the members of the Perkins family and obviously, the company hasn’t gone public yet. Currently, the headquarters of Orvis is in Southwest Vermont. The main operations take place in the UK as well as Virginia.
Orvis is no longer a local brand, it is a privately owned international brand with retailers all around the world. Around 1700 employees work in the company. The brand has also gone modern with a lot of it focusing around attracting customers via online portals and blogs. Orvis official website consists of more than 5000 products that you can buy and it also has revenue that is above 45 million. Orvis blog provides you with educational content and it can be helpful to all types of anglers.
Orvis Mirage Reel review
Orvis Mirage reel is one of the best fly reels by Orvis. The reel is designed to face the rust invoking seawater and the craftsmanship is impeccable. A sealed drag system with a drag knob that goes to its limit in a single rotation is also included. The drag is provided with a stainless steel disc. The mechanism here is Orvis own ball and ramp that provides you with smooth adjustments. This drag system is probably the top strength of the reel.
As far as the arbor is concerned, it is super large implying it is easy to retrieve. The build quality is also strong, the reel has a machined 6061 T6 Aluminium handle with quick release spool. The anodized coating makes it even better while the titanium shaft adds more sturdiness to the reel. Overall, the build and design aspect of the reel is on the upside.
- The build material is the 6061 T6 aluminum which won’t rust and will provide a superior feel to the user
- It has a stainless steel disc sealed drag system
- The reel comes with a four different backing capacity of 150 yards, 200 yards, 225 yards, and 325 yards
- As far as the dimension goes, the reel is available in 5 different diameters of 3.5in, 3.9in, 4.25in, 4.5in, and 5in
- The provided Fly Line weight can be also of 5 different weights of 3-5wt, 5-7wt, 7-9wt, 9-11wt, and 11-13wt
- Superior build quality
- Super smooth & unique drag system with a drag nob
- Excellent balance
- Superb match with Orvis top end fly rods such as Helios 3
- One of the lightest fly fishing reel
- Works great in lakes, streams or even saltwater fishing
- Excellent design that worths the price
- Fast & smooth retrieve
- Great brakes for catching big fishes
- A bit on the heavier side
- Drag Customization is a bit of a problem
The solid titanium and aluminum build indicate more weight and this weight really plaques an otherwise impressive product. It can be a bit much for some anglers. However, it’s still manageable for catching all types of fishes in different environments. Another lacking would be the drag customization. The one rotation can give you a full drag but what if you need unit incremental? Yeah, this is where the problem arises. Other than that, comparing all the benefits with these mere small two flaws, the Orvis Mirage reel really kills every competition with its top-notch build and design.
Comparison of other Orvis Reel
Orvis Hydros SL
The Hydros SL’s strength lies in its spool design which is more than satisfactory. The drag system is another sweet thing here. As far as the con goes, it is priced high but the lack of high-end features makes it a deal breaker. The drag’s knob also isn’t something to talk about although it gives a smooth drag.
Orvis Clearwater
Orvis’ Clearwater reel’s main feature is its aluminum arbor that has a large size in addition to its surprisingly affordable price. People will hesitate to buy it because it’s a “cheap reel” but that is not the case. The reel is actually powerful and the retrieve it provides can stack up against some of the premium reels out there. It isn’t meant for pros though, but if you’re a new angler then, we wholeheartedly recommend you to get this reel.
Orvis Battenkill
Orvis Battenkill
Battenkill is one of the best reels by Orvis in its mid arbor design lineup. It has an impressive finish with a ported jewel which is actually very affordable. As far as the performance goes, the reel is on the high end of the spectrum.
Drawback? Well, first it can get a bit heavy and the next thing is the design, the reel is available in limited colors which can be a deal breaker for a few people.
Conclusion
The Orvis Mirage has the build and the design sorted. It can’t really get better than this. These two main features make the Mirage one of the best reels by Orvis. Comparing with reels like Battenkill, Hydros SL, and Clearwater, the Orvis Mirage leaps ahead in the build and design department. However, all these products by Orvis share a common aim and that is to help the anglers and they certainly do their jobs properly.