Wow this is my third cup of coffee this morning and the webs are still hanging on. Hopefully I can still make an informative post.
Several weeks ago I received an e-mail from a gentleman who represents a company you are all probably familiar with. The company is Abel Quality Products. He offered me a fly reel for free and would send it to me with no strings attached. He had noticed the popularity of Small Stream Reflections, thanks to all of you, and said the reel would go well with the theme of the blog.
I received the reel in the mail the other day and was very impressed with it right out of the box. As you can see it's look is somewhat different from most fly reels, a look I find very appealing. The reel model is TR1, it has a black frame and gold spool with click and pawl drag. Both the frame and the spool are solid. The handle is wood, which I find very attractive. Its fit is precise and the finish superb. I do not know the weight of the reel but it feels good mounted to my 3wt glass rod.
I placed a 3wt line on it and lawn cast the set-up, it was a awesome feel.
Well the true test came yesterday when I took the reel for an on-stream test. This little reel passed with flying colors. I would like to thank Abel Reels and the gentleman who sent it to me.
Alan - that's a nice looking reel! Not crazy about the bright color for fishing small streams though. I would think a flat darker color would be preferable
ReplyDeleteMark
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Mark the flash sure caught my eye when I opened the box. I used it yesterday and the brook trout cooperated.
ReplyDeleteVery Nice Brk Trt!! And kudos to you!! Well deserved for all you do with respect to the Brook Trout!!!!
TROUTI
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Pete that's very nice of you.
Awfully nice of Abel to do that. You should be flattered. The reel is quite stunning.
ReplyDeleteRKM
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Kirk indeed, and I am. I never expected anything like this.
That's really awesome, Alan! Beautiful colors on that reel, too. Can't wait to see it next to some of those gorgeous brookies.
ReplyDeleteI have a satin blue Abel classic, and it's a beautiful reel, and the quality is superb. They have some excellent craftsmanship.
Justin Carfagnini
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Justin I have admired Abel reels for a long time. I love the colors they offer including the brook trout one.
Congratulations, Alan, on receiving the Abel Reel. The accolades just keep on coming and are very deserved. Thanks for being a role model for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteGramps Mel
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Mel it all leads back to the followers of this blog.
That is a gorgeous, very simple reel. Simplicity is one of the reasons I like small stream fishing so much, it fits perfectly I'd say!
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle
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Rowan it is simplicity well made, and I do agree that the fit is perfect.
Congrats on receiving a very nice reel, Alan. The color seems a little jarring to me, at first, but the trout won't mind and I'm sure it operates with precision.
ReplyDeleteWalt Franklin
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Walt several others have had the same reaction to the color. And I agree the trout won't mind.
Alan, I have always enjoyed your blog, however I must say that this particular post could be seen as a product endorsement as much as anything. Manufacturers are always looking for new ways to reach their target audience and clearly you have a solid following. I would only ask you be mindful of this in the future when accepting gifts from companies who are looking to get their products out as infomercials to potential customers.
ReplyDeleteJack Carlton
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Jack while it may seem to be an endorsement it is not. I agreed to accept the reel as a gift and to give it a workout on the streams I fish.
I pride my decision to keep this blog ad free and to be as truthful in my reports on products I use.
Nice looking except the color. It has that old time look to it and I only use Click/pawl reels. I certainly don't mind an endorsement if it has been tested. I think most bloggers do this at one time or another. I only endorse products that I use or have used.
ReplyDeleteHoward Levett
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Howard the color seems to be the drawback from most of the responses. I always test/try, and use the items I post here.
Alan
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice looking combo; I am impressed with the fly reel mainly because it is not your traditional black, bronze, or silver color. Congrats on the gift. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill now there's something new. Good point.
Is the reel foot fairly "thin"? I just picked up a 3 wt. butterstick. The reel foot on each small size reels are too thick.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey Clarke
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The reel foot fits nicely on my Cabelas Glass rod. It did not appear to be to thick.
But before buying it I would try to test fit the reel if possible.
What model of the Cabela's Glass Rod do you prefer for small streams? I have been using a 2wt graphite that I had built a couple of years back for all my mountain stream fishing but I was thinking about the 4 weight CGR, just to mix it up a bit.
DeleteAs always, thanks for the wonderful blog posts!
-Bill
I think you handled this nicely, Alan. You fully disclosed the background of your obtaining the reel, you tested it and reported on what you experienced, and we are free to draw our own conclusions. I appreciated getting the information, and as always, the beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteKeith
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Keith you have nailed it, thank you.
I feel the same, Keith. I learn a lot on Alan's blog site, and appreciate it along with the beautiful photos. Regards, Sam
DeleteParachute Adams
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Sam I try to give a bit of something for everyone. Hopefully I can accomplish that.
Nice!! Now you need Sage to send some demos ;o).
ReplyDeleteBTW the handle should be on the "LEFT SIDE" of the rod. I bet your the guy that uses the spinning reel "on top" of the spinning rod ;o)
Kidding. More good things will be coming your way. You write from the heart!!
Respectfully
Mark P
AD PreparedHam
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Mark I got a good laugh at the upside spinning reel comment. Good stuff.
Abel reel beautiful and good businessman. I greet respectfully and always following his blog.
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando I appreciate your kind comments.