Gorge Fly Shop Blog: Abel SDF Fly Reels

Columbia River 20" Fall Smallmouth from a Outcast Stealth Pro. Who would do this!?

What's Abel Reels been up to lately? In case you haven't heard, Abel has move to Montrose, Colorado. Abel has now join forces with recently acquired sister company Ross Reels.

Since this move quite a few changes have taken place. Just a few years ago Abel introduced their first sealed drag reel appropriately called SD, (Sealed Drag). While the move to Montrose would ultimately benefit Ross and Abel, reproducing Abel reels, such as the SD, as they already existed on all new machines would prove to be an impractical task. Not impossible, just not practical. Instead Abel took the approach of, "let's take this opportunity to reinvent!"

From this move to Montrose Abel has given us the new SDS (Sealed Drag Salt), SDF (Sealed Drag Freshwater), and the improved Super Series Fly Reels.

Winner of the best new freshwater reel at the 2017 ICAST/IFTD show

I had the unique opportunity to briefly check out a new SDF 5/6. This new SDF carries with it many of the traits we've come to know from Abel such as ultra polished smooth deep gloss black finish and traditional rosewood handle. But after those features I've got to say, this is a whole new Abel reel.

The SDF exhibits perfect compromise between strength and weight. The drag startup inertia is next to zero and silky smooth throughout its range.

I reel right hand so an important feature for me is how much trouble is it to change retrieve? SDF is super easy and non invasive to change. Just unscrew the gold hub, flip the bearing and reinstall.

Machined aluminum large drag knob is easy to grab and adjust.

I mounted the SDF 5/6 on my Sage X 597-4. The combination matched up excellent! In the brief time I got to use the reel it performed perfect.

Specs -

Model	Diameter	Weight	Width	Capacity
4/5	3.260"	5.02 oz	1.120"	5+75/20#
5/6	3.610"	5.42 oz	1.120"	6+100/20#
6/7	3.735"	5.63 oz	1.150"	7+145/20#

A lot of good things going on in Montrose, Colorado. It's good to see two companies with such deep American history making a serious move of re-invention. Great job guys!