Orvis

Hydros SL Fly Reel

Orvis has a reputation for building the solid and iconic reels that your grandpa used when he was catching countless brookies in the Catskills—the Hydros SL Fly Reel isn't that reel. With a super-large arbor, ridiculous retrieval rates, and a fully machined construction that's anything but old school, the Hydros SL is a modern reel any self-respecting reel geek will appreciate. While it's true that the Hydros is not an entirely new reel in the Orvis lineup, it has had a complete overhaul, making the all-new SL version both lighter, burlier, and bigger than the original.

In order to save weight but still increase the overall durability of the reel, Orvis took materials away from areas where the extra strength and weight isn't necessarily needed. Then, it beefed up areas in the frame and critical areas in the spool to give the Hydros the grit it needs to remain intact when you take a slider trying to scramble up a steep cut bank. Another major difference between the Hydros SL and the original Hydros is the fully sealed disc drag system, which, as its name suggests, is fully sealed, making the larger reel sizes ideal for saltwater fishing. Probably the most impressive component on the Hydros is the super-large arbor, which is capable of blisteringly fast retrieval rates (up to 12% more than the original Hydros). Orvis also gave the Hydros a narrower spool to help eliminate line stacking and knotting, then it reduced play between the spool and frame for improved tolerances and liquid smooth operation.