 Alvey
are well known Australian manufacturers of an excellent range of side
cast surf fishing reels. How ever they also produce boat reels and a
very good saltwater fly reel.
Alvey's
fly reel - there is one model which comes with either a yellow or black
fiberglass spool - has found particular favour with members of the
Canterbury Sport Fishing club who put Alvey's saltwater fly reel
creation to good use off the Kaikoura coast.
Several members of the club have achieved New Zealand records whilst
fishing for blue and mako sharks together with albacore tuna.
When
fishing the saltwater fly for these powerful oceanic species you need a
reel that is tough, corrosion resistant, and above all has a smooth
drag system that won't let you down when these fish make long powerful
runs.
 The
Alvey general purpose saltwater fly reel has a super strong 95mm (4")
diameter spool, fitted with a Teflon and brass multi-plate clutch and a
non reverse drag which can be disengaged with the flick of a button.
All metal parts are either brass or stainless steel making maintenance
minimal. The all up weight of the reel without line is 415g. This is
slightly heavy for a saltwater fly reel but balances well with a
saltwater fly rod. Capacity 300m-9kg Dacron and fly line.
Alvey's
saltwater fly reel is also popular with salmon anglers. Its robust
construction, and powerful drag system make it particularly  suited
to fishing for salmon when used with a ultra fast sinking fly line. A
big thirty pound plus salmon in fast water can take some stopping on a
fly rod! This reel also works well when used to fish for quinnat salmon
and big searun brown trout teamed with the Canterbury Lure Rod.
Perhaps
the best feature of all is the price, At around NZ$200 retail this is
far and away the best value for money saltwater fly reel on the market
especially when you consider that it will do the job extra well and,
thanks to it's robust design it will last a lifetime.
See also Howard Lewis of Canterbury with a blue shark taken on SWF including an Alvey saltwater fly reel. See Saltwater Fly Fishing and Saltwater Flies with John Hey.
Fishing Tackle |
