Product Reviews

Product Review:  Battenkill Bar Stock Reel from Orvis

Made by Orvis

•  Fully machined from bar-stock aerospace-grade 6262-T6 aluminum with an anodized finish for durability.

•  Extremely lightweight design.

•  Easily interchangeable spool.

•  Left- to right-hand changeover in seconds with absolutely no tools required.

•  Smooth and dependable Battenkill drag system.

• Generous fly line backing capabilities.

I Reel | weight: 3.2 oz. | 2½ inches  

II Reel | weight: 3.5 oz. | 2¾ inches

III Reel | weight: 3.9 oz. | 3 inches   IV Reel | weight: 4.5 oz. | 33⁄8 inches

V Reel | weight: 5 oz. | 35⁄8 inches

I got the BBS II reel to go with my 4 weight rod for some light stream use. 

First Impressions

Well, for the price, it’s hard to find a reel in the same price range that’ll stand toe to toe with the BBS.  You will be hard pressed to find a lighter, bar stock reel for around $100.  Orvis packs it in a nice soft case with plenty of foam and wool for storage and transport. 

Function

This reel has taken its share of abuse.  At first, if I were going to take a spill, I’d make sure that my rod and reel went last.  Now, it’s the first thing to hit the ground (or rocks, depending on where I am).   It still works as good as the day I got it. 

The drag is really nice, but it is not perfect.  Some might call it sticky, but if you were to try other budget reels I think you might use a different term to describe the BBS.  If I were fishing a rod larger than a #6 and budget wasn't a concern, I would definitely think about a different reel, but on smaller waters, this reel is going to fish just fine.

One other observation:  Some of the finishings, like the handle, are plastic and not aluminum or wood.  The don’t affect the function, but it is one of the reasons these reels are so reasonable priced.

Final Thoughts

By no means is this a high end reel, but if you are on a budget, you'll find that this reel is well made, light, and fun to fish.  In fact, it is so well made, you'll think you should have paid more.  If you are looking for a great starter reel or one that you can knock around, this is it.

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