orvis fly reels

Orvis isn't alone however, you're paying for the Orvis name stamped on all their products with a much higher mark up than other brand names...I noticed some time back that a certain model of Akuma and Orvis reels had a remarkable resemblance (knowing that they were importing their products) just for my amusement I swaped out a spool from an Akuma reel to a Orvis reel....low and behold it fit and performed perfectly. Even their flies are all imported. Some people are oblivious to the fact.
Global market....fine! how about we find a way to even the playing field out with import export costs and this country would be better off.
I owned a flyshop so I'm experience on this matter.
 
Just my own opinion.

I was going to buy an extra spool for my original Orvis Battenkill 5/6, but they discounted the reel, so it made better sense to order an extra reel. When it arrived, I noticed the finish wasn't quite as polished as my older reel, the angler with the tight line was missing from the Orvis logo, the frame's color was lighter and a little blotchy, and the tag said "Made in China." But here's the thing -- when I checked, the old, better finished reel (maybe 4 years old)  also was made in China.
 
The spools are interchangeable and the drag is fine on the new Battenkill 5/6. If I didn't have the older model to compare, I'd be of the opinion that the new one is a great bargain and would have no reservation at all.
 
Semi related story -- I've had a Sc Angler System I reel with extra spools for ages. Made in England is stamped on the reel foot. That reel is a workhorse, even if it doesn't have a disc drag. Then I heard they were going to stop making them, and noticed they were disappearing from Spring catalogs. So when I found a source I bought one. It looked okay, but the drag sounded like a strangled cat. It had a real fingernails on the the blackboard sound. Gone was the made in England stamp, and in its place was a Made in China sticker.  I returned it.
 
Okay, ponder this. Made in England or China, neither was made in USA. So is the difference the labor laws in the country of manufacture?
 
Also -- Bean introduced a very nice line of 4-piece fly rods this year. I'm pretty sure they're made in China, but the finish and hardware is very nice. Better, I'd say than the old ones, of which I have quite a few:-).
 
I was lucky enough to wander into the local Bean emporium just as they were clearing out the last of the old model. The catalog listed them for $200+, but the clearance was about $60. So I bought two #4s, a #6, #7 and an #8 saltwater. The old models I bought were made in the good 'ol' USA by G. Loomis using Loomis blanks, depending on which story you believe. But the thing is that the cork in the grips isn't quite top drawer and the line guides are single foot. So I'd have to say that Bean's new, imported rods have better hardware -- and they're less expensive (MSRP).
 
But I'm also happy with the bargain I stumbled into, and it's neat to have a battery of rods with precisely the same progressive action. Though it's going to be darn hard to convince the missus that I'll ever need another fly rod to add to the collection in my man cave. 
 
I admit to being very price conscious, but it ain't a bargain if I'm not satisfied with the way a product functions. 
 
Finally -- My golf clubs are custom made Palmer Axioms, .25 short, 2 degrees flat and stiff shafts. These were the first of the custom made clubs for the mass market. I bought the complete set for $90 from the used club, trade in section of the local shop 10 years ago and have never seen any reason to "trade up." Far as I know, they were made in the USA. I like to think they were made in Latrobe, but prolly not.

sent ya a pm!

my orvis reel is made in england. i can't remember how long i've had it. i like the convenience of being able to get a new spool by just going to an orvis shop instead of ordering one from other companies. so i have 3 spools for one reel.
 
anyhow, the ratchet gear on the 5/6 battenkill reel finally went out. does anyone know the price of one? hate to buy a new reel and since i have 3 spools i hate to give it up.
 
my next reel, for the 6wt. rod i'm planning on buying, will be a USA ross reel. anyone use the THE flycast LA or flywater LA? this will be used for river fishing for smallies.

I have two Battenkills, one 8/9 wt., and other a 5/6. My son got the 5/6 for me last year off of E-bay, around $50 - brand new. The drags are what I particularly like about the Battenkills. I can muscle some pretty large fish with the 8/9. It is not a large arbor, and I have had some trouble with it freezing in severe conditions, but not too badly. I have a couple Okumas also, but the Battenkills are much nicer. It seems like it would be easy to get parts or have the Orvis reels repaired, but I have not had to cross that bridge yet. The 8/9 has been very dependable for nearly 10 years. I always take it apart and clean and lubricate it after every trib trip.

keep in mind you are paying more for the orvis name but their customer service is second to none. call okuma and tell them you burned up a drag and they'll tell give us 6 weeks, call orvis and you'll have it back in 7-10 days and they'll recondition the whole reel. this is just my opinion but sometimes the name says it all, besides their reels are more mid priced than upper priced.

ORIGINAL: SmallieAngler

on the topic of made in the USA, does anyone know of any rods, besides sage, made in the US? i was thinking orvis is, but i'm not sure about that now.

 
Thomas & Thomas - Greenfield, Mass.
 
Scott - Montrose, Colorado
 
Winston - Twin Bridges, Montana
 
St. Croix - Park Falls, Wisconsin