How to Choose the Right Fly Reel: Ross, Lamson, and Abel Compared
Choosing the right fly reel can feel overwhelming. Walk into Ed's Fly Shop in Montrose and you will find an incredible selection of premium fly reels from some of the best manufacturers in the world. Three brands stand above the rest when it comes to quality, performance, and value: Ross Reels, Lamson, and Abel.
The good news is that all three brands make exceptional reels. The challenge is figuring out which one is right for you, your fishing style, and your budget. At Ed's Fly Shop, we fish all three brands on the local rivers every season and we know these reels inside and out. Here is our honest comparison to help you make the right decision.
What to Look for in a Fly Reel
Before diving into the brand comparison, it helps to understand what actually matters in a fly reel. Here are the key factors to consider:
Drag System The drag system is the most important component of a fly reel. A smooth, consistent drag protects light tippets from breaking when a fish makes a sudden run. Look for sealed drag systems that keep out sand, grit, and water. The two most common types are disc drag and click and pawl, which we will cover in detail below.
Weight A lighter reel balances better with modern lightweight fly rods and reduces fatigue during long days of casting. Every ounce matters over the course of a full day on the water.
Arbor Size Large arbor reels retrieve line faster and reduce line memory which is essential when a trout makes a fast run toward you. All three brands we carry at Ed's Fly Shop feature large to ultra large arbor designs.
Retrieve Rate Retrieve rate measures how much line you pick up with each rotation of the spool. A higher retrieve rate means you can get tight to a fish faster which is critical in fast water situations.
Construction Fully machined reels cut from solid aluminum are stronger and more durable than pressure cast reels. Premium reels from Ross, Lamson, and Abel are all machined from high grade aerospace aluminum right here in Colorado and Idaho.
Price Premium fly reels range from around $150 to over $800. Understanding what you are getting at each price point helps you make a smart investment that will last for years.
Ross Reels: Bombproof Reliability with Colorado Heritage
Ross Reels has been making fly reels since 1973 and is one of the most storied names in American fly fishing. What makes Ross especially special to us at Ed's Fly Shop is that every Ross reel is machined and anodized right here in Montrose, Colorado — our hometown. When you buy a Ross reel from us you are buying a piece of gear made by our neighbors.
Best For: Trout anglers who want a premium American made reel with classic styling, smooth drag, and proven durability season after season.
Ross Reels We Carry at Ed's Fly Shop:
Ross Cimarron LT The newest evolution of Ross's legendary Cimarron family. Rebuilt from the frame up with aggressive porting to reduce weight and premium in-house anodizing done right here in Montrose. The Cimarron LT features a powerful composite disc drag system that protects 7X tippet and handles fast water battles on 0X. Available in Matte Black, Matte Platinum, Matte Blue, and Matte Olive. An excellent entry point into the Ross family.
Ross Animas The Animas is a guide favorite with a fully redesigned frame and spool geometry, ultra light canvas phenolic handle, and improved composite disc drag system loved by over 80,000 fly anglers worldwide. The maintenance free spool release makes it ready for any freshwater or light saltwater application. Available in Blackout and Chartreuse.
Ross Evolution LTX The award winning Evolution LTX delivers over four times the drag strength of its predecessor while retaining the legendary sound and feel that made the Evolution series an icon. With a large arbor spool and canvas phenolic handle the LTX is equally at home on technical trout water and light saltwater flats. Available in Blackout and Chartreuse.
Ross Cimarron Blackout and Chartreuse Classic Ross styling meets updated engineering and durability. Features a Cerakote drag knob, fully anodized frame, and enhanced frame walls for additional durability. The perfect entry point into the Ross family for anglers who want Colorado made quality at an accessible price point.
Strengths of Ross Reels:
- Made in Montrose, Colorado — 100% USA made
- Legendary drag sound that serious anglers love
- Classic styling that looks as good as it performs
- Excellent value at every price point
- Backed by a limited lifetime warranty
Lamson: Engineering Excellence from Boise, Idaho
Lamson has built a reputation as one of the most technically advanced fly reel manufacturers in the world. Made in Boise, Idaho and backed by a lifetime warranty, Lamson reels are engineering marvels that push the limits of what a fly reel can do. Lamson is especially well known for its sealed conical drag system which delivers a wide range of drag settings with outstanding stopping power.
Best For: Anglers who prioritize technical performance, maximum retrieve rate, and cutting edge engineering. Lamson makes the best reels for high speed line retrieval and is a top choice for guides and serious anglers who fish hard every day.
Lamson Reels We Carry at Ed's Fly Shop:
Lamson Hyperspeed F The Hyperspeed F is in a class by itself for freshwater retrieve rate. The F5 picks up an incredible 11.5 inches of line per rotation and the F7 retrieves a staggering 12.5 inches per rotation. Built with space frame construction and a sealed conical drag, the Hyperspeed F is the fastest freshwater fly reel Lamson has ever built. Available in Ranger and Battleship.
Lamson Speedster S A super high retrieve rate reel with a narrower spool, inboard mounted handle, and an outer diameter significantly larger than any other Lamson reel. The result is a hot rod of a reel that retrieves line at blistering speed while maintaining the classic Lamson sealed conical drag. Available in Midnight and Ember.
Lamson Guru S-Series The Guru S is Lamson's flagship everyday performance reel. Machined from 6061 aluminum in Boise, Idaho with a super arbor design, sealed conical drag, and enhanced porting for reduced weight. The Guru S is the reel thousands of guides and serious anglers reach for day in and day out. Available in OG and Blackout.
Lamson Liquid S-Series The Liquid S is Lamson's best value reel and one of the most popular fly reels in the world. Pressure cast aluminum frame and spool with a large arbor and sealed conical drag make the Liquid S an outstanding choice for anglers who want proven Lamson performance at an accessible price. Available in Smoke and Day Break.
Lamson Purist II The Purist II is a beautiful click and pawl reel with only 15 individual parts and an ultra large arbor with 30% more line retrieval than its predecessor. For anglers who prefer the classic feel and sound of a click and pawl drag the Purist II is the finest example of minimalist reel design available today.
Strengths of Lamson Reels:
- Best retrieve rate of any fly reel brand we carry
- Industry leading sealed conical drag system
- Made in the USA in Boise, Idaho
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- Outstanding value at every price point
Abel Reels: American Artistry at the Highest Level
Abel Reels are the premium choice for anglers who want the very best. Machined from aerospace grade aluminum in Montrose, Colorado, Abel reels are works of art that perform as beautifully as they look. Every Abel reel is individually hand assembled and inspected before leaving the shop making each one a unique piece of American craftsmanship. Abel is part of the Mayfly Outdoors family along with Ross Reels meaning both brands are made right here in our hometown of Montrose, Colorado.
Best For: Serious anglers and collectors who want the finest American made fly reel available. Abel reels are an investment that will last a lifetime and can be completely customized to your exact specifications.
Strengths of Abel Reels:
- Individually hand assembled in Montrose, Colorado
- Aerospace grade aluminum construction
- Endless custom color and configuration options
- The finest drag system available at this price point
- A true collector's item that holds its value
Head to Head Comparison
| Feature | Ross | Lamson | Abel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made In | Montrose, CO | Boise, ID | Montrose, CO |
| Drag Type | Composite Disc | Sealed Conical | Disc |
| Retrieve Rate | Good | Best in Class | Good |
| Weight | Light | Ultralight | Light to Medium |
| Price Range | $150 to $500 | $100 to $600 | $400 to $800+ |
| Best For | Trout and all around | All species and technical fishing | Premium trout and collector |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
Our Recommendation
For the best value: The Lamson Liquid S-Series or Ross Cimarron LT are both outstanding choices that deliver premium performance at an accessible price. Both are made in the USA and backed by lifetime warranties.
For serious trout anglers: The Ross Evolution LTX or Lamson Guru S-Series are both exceptional everyday performance reels that will serve you well on any trout water in western Colorado.
For maximum performance: The Lamson Hyperspeed F is the fastest freshwater fly reel we carry and is the top choice for anglers who demand the best retrieve rate available.
For the discerning angler: An Abel reel is the finest investment you can make in your fly fishing gear. Stop by the shop and we will help you build your perfect custom setup.
Come See Us at Ed's Fly Shop
Still not sure which reel is right for you? Stop by Ed's Fly Shop at 432 E Main St in Montrose, Colorado and we will put all three brands in your hand. Nothing beats holding a reel, feeling the drag, and hearing the sound before making your decision. Our team fishes all three brands every season and we are happy to share our honest opinions to help you find the perfect reel for your fishing.
Shop Fly Reels at Ed's Fly Shop
Call us at 970-964-9991 or stop by the shop Tight lines!