Reels
Galvan 2.75 Traditional

Orvis Vortex Reel

Tibor Light-Tailwater

Tibor Saltwater Reels

Rods
Winston WT TMF

Fran Betters Custom
- 9' 5wt. High Mod.

Orvis Vortex

August, 2003

This is a big, beautiful reel of heiloom quality with a state-of-the-art drag system. The craftmanship on this thing is unrivalled and you wil spend hours sitting and playing with the drag, and taking the spool on, and off. It also appears that Orvis has discontinued making this fine reel, opting to market more "cost effective" (aka, cheaper) large arbor reels, but, I'm not sure how many tarpon, tuna, bonefish, or any other hard/long running fish I'd trust with them, but this reel will be around for your grandchildren for sure. I will be updating this the more I use it, but here is what Orvis has to say about it:

Vortex is the premier large arbor reel available on the market today. Its innovative, functional and stylish design--recognized by Gray's Sporting Journal, Men's Journal, and The Robb Report for its superiority--incorporates a level of technology not available anywhere else. The new Vortex Anti-Reverse, with its smooth, reliable anti-reverse spool system, offers the revolutionary Quick Clutch. It lets you strip line off the reel before casting and then, with a simple flick of a switch, restores the reel to full fighting drag.

Here's what a few others have said about it:

Capt. Dean Richards, March 28, 2003
Three years ago I purchased my first of several Vortex reels and can honestly say that they have exceeded my expectations. My 13/14 has fought and landed dozens of Sailfish in Costa Rica without a hitch. My 9/10 spends its summers in Alaska fighting King Salmon. I have never had a failure with a Vortex Reel. Weather you are fighting Redfish on the flats or Sails in Costa Rica these reels can't be beat.

IVAR MAEHLE, December 21, 2001
I 'm the proud owner of several Vortex reels, I have used them for many years in tough fights with big salmon and trout! They have followed me all over the world! From North Norway, Canada, to Patagonia in Chile! I know I always can trust a Orvis Vortex, they are built like rocks, but feels and works like a quality swiss watch! I will highly recommend this beautiful reel! Your sincerly Ivar Maehle

Gary Graham, April 17, 2001
The large spool arbor - which allows one of the quickest retrieves in the industry - an extremely smooth cork drag system, and a wide spool allowing plenty of backing are some of the features that makes this reel a good choice for both inshore and bluewater applications. You won't be disappointed in this reel's performance.