Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor III

I've used mine for kings and it did just fine.

7 or 8

Use it! I have the same reel and it works fine on the Salmon River and all around for kings.

ORIGINAL: dano

Use a good knot like an albright to join the backing to the line.
Break em off before you get too deep in the backing.
I've been spooled more than once on early, fresh kings.

No doubt about it....u need a good piece to put the brakes on....I'd prefer not to do battle with this particular reel, but to each his own.

Cork drags are good, they just require some maintainence.... lube a cork drag with the same oil that you would use on a baseball glove - some NON-petroleum based stuff - I want to say NEAT oil but I'm not sure I'd have to look it up. It only has to be done once a year or so.

Not sure if cork is better or not but the two most reliable big game reels Tibor and Abel use cork and guys that are into tuna swear by them. Many guys have had these reels for decades and they look and perform like new. The newer styles of drag may be this good - but for the most part they haven't been around long enough to claim this longevity. I suspect like anything there is a big difference in the quality of the cork company to company.

The sealed drags are kind of a mixed blessing...if they are truly sealed they are great - but more often than not they will allow some water in. No problem for freshwater - but with saltwater this is the kiss of death since the sealed drag will not allow the salt to be rinsed and will eat the drag.  I have a Hayden I use for the rare salt trip, it really doesn't see too much water, but it has an excellent cork drag.....

I know there are alot of guys out there that have the mid or large arbor reels from Orvis and love them but I didn't have much luck with the one I had. It was a Mid Arbor that the drag would free wheel or be non existant no matter how tight I would adjust the knob. This would only happen in very cold weather. The first one I had, this happened on Elk a few years ago. Returned it with no problems from Orvis, then had the same thing happen again the following year. Orvis had told me that they had cases of water getting into the center pin, freezing and making the drag useless. Maybe it was just the ones I had but I ended up going with the Hardy Demon.($$$) So far no problem and it has been fished in lots of cold and freezing weather. I looked at the cork drags but there again I was afraid of the freezing on the cork but I guess the oil would help prevent this.  I would imagine that no reel would survive the freezing if it was dunked but with the Mid Arbor this never happened. It was just from cold freezing rain and the "wetness that comes from normal fishin. Anyone else have this problem with not only the Orvis but with any other reel they have?

ORIGINAL: vinestbrew

I have been lucky, I have an orvis large arbor for steelhead and it has held up so far 2yrs. However when the temps drop and the creeks get some ice I switch over to a cheper setup (don't like to use my expensive rod in ice). On my 2nd setup I have a cabelas SLA and I have had that thing frozen solid and it still worked good (it has a teflon/cork drag).

haha great minds must think alike...I do the same thing...that SLA is JUNK though, so if it freezes and doesn't run again you don't feel bad to toss it lol.

I'm not sure about that reel not familiar with it. The Battenkill does seem to have less backing room than my other reels the similiar size, if it's only for steelhead I have never came close to my backing. That cabelas SLA has received bad reviews but I must have gotten a good one because I have really abused it
(2yrs) and is still smooth, except I just broke the spool nut on it. If you are considering a battenkill I found some good prices on used ones pm me.

if a steelhead spools you , you have severe problems . the tribs in my opinion aren't big enough to spool any real , large , mid or whatever arbor .

I'll second that one Dano. Granted it doesn't happen often but when it does it's a good thing. Quite a few times I've had 'em take me into the backing. Never really fished the beaches but when it happen to me they went from the tailout right into the fast water and away they went. Seen it happen to others too. Creates a good memory doesn't it.

I love the momentum and the vexis very nice