Ross San Miguel Fly Reel - Made in USA

Ross San Miguel Fly Reel — Made Right Here in Montrose

The icon returns. Made in our hometown. Named for our river.

Since Ross Reels started in 1973, one model has epitomized what a Ross Reel is: the San Miguel. It defined the ultimate in class and finesse, and after a long hiatus from the lineup, the classic returned. Even better, the new version is built right here in Montrose, Colorado — and it's named after the San Miguel River, the gold-medal trout water that runs through our valley. We carry every San Miguel reel that comes off Ross's machines because we're a half-mile from where they're made, because we guide the river it's named after, and because in our shop, the San Miguel isn't just a reel — it's a story we get to tell our customers in person.

The Heritage of an Icon

Ross launched the original San Miguel decades ago, and it became the reel by which all other Ross reels were measured. It was the company's flagship — the reel anglers won as tournament prizes, the reel that got passed down from father to son, the reel that defined what "made in Colorado" meant in fly fishing. After the original was discontinued in the 2000s, anglers asked Ross for one thing for over twenty years: bring it back.

The "third coming" of the San Miguel keeps everything that made the original iconic — the polished high-gloss black finish on a solid-backed frame, the famous "flower petal" porting, the liquid-smooth free spool — and adds modern engineering improvements that bring it firmly into the present.

The result, in the words of one reviewer who's owned all three generations: "the finest version yet."

Built in Montrose, Colorado

Every San Miguel is fully machined and assembled at Ross Reels' Montrose, Colorado facility — a half-mile from our shop. The same craftsmen who built our Evolution LTX, Animas, and Cimarron reels build the San Miguel. When you buy one from Ed's, you're keeping the work, the warranty, and the relationship local. We're proud to be one of the few fly shops in the country that can show you a San Miguel and the river it's named after on the same morning.

Modern Performance Meets Classic Design

The new San Miguel features:

• Carbon and stainless steel sealed drag system — Ross's most refined drag yet. The stack-up delivers powerful, smooth resistance with virtually zero startup inertia. Reviewers consistently call it "one of the smoothest start-ups we've tested."
• Polished high-gloss black finish — the original San Miguel signature. Distinctive, glossy, and built to last. Available in classic Black or modern Platinum.
• Famous "flower petal" porting on the spool — instantly recognizable, both functional (lighter weight) and beautiful.
• Solid-backed frame — a tribute to the original. Adds heft and a sense of solid build that lighter reels can't match.
• Canvas micarta handle — a material commonly used in high-end custom knives that improves grip when wet. Cold morning hands, warm fish fights, no slippage.
• Large-arbor spool with stainless steel push-button release — fast retrieve, modern convenience.
• Carbon-stainless drag housing — fully sealed against grit and water for lifetime reliability.

Award-Winning Design

The San Miguel won the "Best New Freshwater Fly Reel" award at the IFTD industry trade show. Industry pros recognize what we recognize — this is a special reel, not just another model in a brand's lineup.

And here's something we love about Ross: 10% of every reel sale supports conservation efforts. Every San Miguel that leaves this shop quietly contributes to protecting the rivers we all fish, including the one this reel is named after.

Three Sizes for Every Trout Setup

The San Miguel is available in three sizes covering 3 weight through 6 weight applications — small streams to the Gunnison Gorge.

Specifications

Weight, Diameter & Recovery by Size

Best Pairings

• 3/4 WT: Small stream and creek setups; ultralight 3-4 weight glass and graphite rods; spring creek setups
• 4/5 WT: The classic all-around trout reel — pairs beautifully with premium 4-5 weight rods like Sage, Scott, or Winston
• 5/6 WT: Larger trout, heavier nymph rigs, big foam hopper drift work, light streamer fishing on rivers like the Gunnison

Why Anglers Choose the San Miguel

• Made in Montrose, Colorado — same town as our shop, same craftsmen as the rest of the Ross lineup
• Named for the San Miguel River — the gold-medal Colorado trout water that runs through our valley
• Heritage design with modern engineering — the third generation of an iconic reel
• Carbon/stainless sealed drag with one of the smoothest startups on the market
• Polished high-gloss black or platinum finish that distinguishes itself in any reel collection
• Canvas micarta handle for grip in cold, wet conditions
• Solid-backed frame with classic flower petal porting on the spool
• Stainless steel push-button spool release for fast line changes
• IFTD "Best New Freshwater Fly Reel" award winner
• 10% of every sale supports conservation
• Limited lifetime warranty backed by the Ross team in Montrose

Honest Notes

• This is a premium reel at a premium price. If you're looking for the best value freshwater reel under $200, the Ross Animas or Echo Bravo LT are better fits. If you're looking for a reel that'll last forever, look great doing it, and tell a story about where it was made — the San Miguel is the answer.
• The San Miguel is moderately heavy for its size class — 5.40 oz in the 3/4, 5.80 oz in the 4/5, 6.00 oz in the 5/6. Reviewers consistently say the added heft "adds to the super solid feel" rather than detracting. It balances modern premium rods well, but it's not a featherweight.
• The drag knob can feel slippery when wet. Ross includes a hard rubber grip cover that fits over the knob. Once attached, it's hard to remove — decide if you want it before installing.
• This is built for freshwater applications only. While the drag is sealed, the reel is optimized for trout, not for saltwater or big-game fish.
• For the asking price, you can buy two or three solid budget reels. But the San Miguel isn't competing with budget reels. It's competing with premium reels twice its price — and on craftsmanship, drag smoothness, and aesthetic, it holds its own.

Stop by Ed's Fly Shop at 432 E Main St in Montrose to handle the Ross San Miguel in person. We'll be honest with you about whether it's the right reel for your fishing — and we'll show you the river it's named after on a wall map while we talk. Available in your choice of size and color above.