Duchess Fly Reel
Back to basics.
There's a reason you'll find a pair of royal wulffs, elk hair caddis, and olive wooly buggers in every angler's fly box—they just work, and the same can be said for classic reel designs. Handmade in Alnwick, England, the Hardy Duchess Fly Reel is the first classic reel to be released by the company in decades, and it's obvious that Hardy hasn't forgot how to put a world-class reel together.
The Duchess is machined from two pieces of bar stock aluminum, then assembled by hand with a unique split cage frame design and ambidextrous, fully adjustable click-check drag mechanism. The reel can be converted to either a left- or right-handed retrieve thanks to twin line guides. Hardy built the Duchess in sizes ranging from small, light line applications all the way up to a four inch option for salmon and steelhead fishing. Every option is machined and assembled in Alnwick England and is finished with a recessed stainless steel spindle and classic wooden handle.
Details
- Machined 6061 T6 bar stock aluminum
- Split cage frame design
- Adjustable click-check drag mechanism
- Left- and right handed retrieve
- Vented frame and spool
- Wooden handle
- Made in Alnwick, England
- Item #HDY000R
- Material
- 6061 T6 aluminum
- Drag System
- click-check
- Backing Capacity
- [2 3/4] 41 yards, [3] 44 yards, [3 1/4] 65 yards, [4] 295 yards
- Diameter
- [2 3/4] 2.75 in, [3] 3 in, [3 1/4] 3.25 in, [4] 4 in
- Fly Line Weight
- [2 3/4] WF3, [3] WF5, [3 1/4] WF6, [4] WF11
- Left and Right Handed Operation
- yes
- Claimed Weight
- [2 3/4in] 3.1oz, [3in] 3.7oz, [3 1/4in] 3.9oz, [4in] 7.7oz
- Recommended Use
- fly fishing
- Manufacturer Warranty
- 5 years
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
5 based on 2 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageDecember 31, 2021
A Beautiful, Classic Reel
I have fished with a Duchess as my primary reel for the past two years, and I’ve loved every outing! A classic click and pawl reel, it’s sound is lovely. The drag is not intense, but enough to always keep your line from tangling. I have landed some large fish on the 2/3/4 and palming the reel has always been sufficient (and fun!). If you are looking for a timeless Hardy (Made in England) click and pawl reel, the Duchess is as sweet as they come.
Originally reviewed on purefishing.com
June 11, 2021
Classical design, precision engineering
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
I have a problem. I seem to buy a new rod and reel at least twice a year. Everything from a tiny 3 weight rods and reels, to bruiser 9 weight rods and reels. I admit that I own several reels that are lower tier, and they work exceptionally well. That said, this reel is on a completely different level. The machining and finishing is the best I've seen, and the reel has a beautiful classic design. The drag is smooth and is easy to dial in for the conditions. If you're looking for a classic reel that is made to the highest quality standard look no further.
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