The Long Haul reviews are designed to help anglers answer the most pressing question about gear – sure, it looks nice in the fly shop, but how well does it hold up to long-term use and abuse? The goal of these reviews is to show you how gear acts after the initial short testing period is over. Today, we’re looking at one of my personal favorites from the past few years – the Orvis Battenkill Disc reel.
Most trout reels are over-built. They feature drags that can stop freight trains, when 90% of the trout fishing we all do rarely requires anything more than a click-pawl drag at all. The drag in most trout reels will likely never get used at its highest setting. Even then, it might not be necessary. The best angler I’ve ever known used an old Shakespeare knockoff of the Pflueger Medalist, and he’s caught more giant fish than anyone I’ve ever met.
This is exactly why I love the Battenkill Disc so much. It’s all the reel you need, and nothing you don’t. It’s well-built, durable, and smooth. The arbor is large enough for quick line retrieval, and has almost no startup inertia. Its highest setting is more than enough for all but the most giant trout; for instance, it might not be up to the task of landing 25-inch or larger lake-dwelling fish.
But for your run-of-the-mill river and stream fishing, where swift currents or a surprisingly hefty trout over 20 inches can and will test your ability to land it? That’s where the Battenkill Disc shines.
Orvis Battenkill Disc
Check Price at Trident Fly Fishing
Material
6061 Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
Arbor Size
Mid
Ported Design
Reduces weight
Pros
- Simple and straightforward
- Plenty of stopping power
- Utilizes the Hydros drag system
- Oversized drag knob
- Classic styling
Cons
- Only comes with one spool
The Skinny
The Battenkill Disc is a classically styled trout reel that takes the look and appeal of the older Orvis reels and modernizes it. This is a reel that looks at home on just about any trout rod. It should balance just about any rod without a problem, too. The Size II (the model I was sent for review) clocks in at 4.9 ounces, and feels great on a wide variety of fly rods. I found that I preferred the size of the II compared to the III, even though the II is rated for line weights 3-5, and the III is designed for weights 5-7.
Orvis put the same drag system they’ve used in the Hydros reels into the Battenkill Disc. This is one of the most popular drag systems in use, as the Hydros reels offer more of the modern, futuristic reel design, paired with larger arbors and more stopping power. You don’t need to worry about whether the Battenkill Disc has the stopping power necessary to help when you catch that once-in-a-lifetime trout.
Built from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum and anodized, the Battenkill Disc will more than likely outlast you. Orvis does say they’ve improved tolerances and updated the reel’s design, which results in a smoother product. I’m not sure if I can measure how much smoother this reel is over older versions, but the one I tested felt remarkably smooth.
Rounding out the need-to-know specs, the Battenkill Disc’s drag knob is oversized for easy adjustment. The knob stops at predetermined points, but it’s not tough to dial in the right amount of pressure.
While this reel is a mid-arbor, once stacked with backing, I didn’t think it felt too small. Line retrieval was still noticeably quicker than on reels like the Abel TR series, or even the click-pawl version of the Battenkill.
The Time Test
I’ve utilized the Battenkill Disc in fisheries from Wyoming all the way to the Yukon, on brown trout, rainbows, whitefish, Arctic grayling, and a few cutthroat and brookies. Only a few of those fish really tested this reel, and most of those were larger grayling or rainbows in Canada. In those situations, the drag engaged smoothly, with almost no startup inertia. I never felt like I didn’t have enough stopping power in hand, even for fat fish that were packing on the pounds before winter arrived in the North.
It’s also just as durable as any other aluminum reel I’ve used. Mine has a few dings from rides in the drift boat, jet boat, and slipping on some rocks. That’s what you expect to happen to your gear, though.
What I’ve grown to love most about the Battenkill Disc, though, is that this is a reel that doesn’t waste anything. It’s machined, so it’s light and durable. But it’s not milled on some futuristic machine with crazy angles and the almost alien-like design that’s so popular in modern fly reels. The older I get, the more I appreciate gear that just gets the job done, and the Battenkill Disc is exactly that. It’s only $229 brand-new, which is a steal for a reel with a drag this great. Any other fancy-looking reels are easily pushing $400, and they’re not giving you noticeably better performance. At that point, you’re really just paying for how well you think the reel looks.
I’ll take a classic-looking reel with a solid drag any day.
My only complaint is that the Battenkill Disc comes with just a single spool. Honestly, this is a complaint I have with almost every reel. Spare spools are expensive, but they’re incredibly useful. I’d love to see companies offering more affordable spools, or more reels with cassette systems.
My Recommendation
The Battenkill Disc might be the best trout reel you can buy right now. It’s only $229, has a great warranty from Orvis, is easy to service, and has a time-tested drag system. It’s built from 6061 aluminum; it’s durable and looks great on just about any rod. Cheaper reels exist, including some nice click-and-pawl options, but if you’re set on a disc drag, I’m not sure you’ll find anything better. I know the classic styling may not be for everyone’s taste, but I think the Battenkill Disc looks great on just about any trout rod.