Leland on the Abel Creek 2 Fly Reel
The Abel Creek Standard Arbor 2, for 6 or 7 lines, has a ton of capacity for big rivers and big trout and smallmouth. In fact, the click pawl drag on this beauty would be "puurrrrrfect" for summer steelhead on light tackle. It has that Classic Sound and just the right amount of drag to prevent overspooling. That's why the reel comes with a palming rim, so that you can apply extra drag the old fashioned way, with your finger or hand. With only two moving parts, and micro-adjustable to protect the finest tippets made, there is no finer drag system, in my opinion, for trout or steelhead fishing. If you want a reel that's designed for the ages, from one of the finest reel machinists on the planet, and for only 270 bucks (!), you can't go wrong with Abel Standard 2 Reel.
Leland on Specifications
The Abel Creek 2 Standard Arbor Fly Fishing Reel is the larger of the two Standard Arbor Creek models, and is designed for a 6 or 7 or line-weight outfit. Beautifully machined for strength and ported for lightness, this reel features a lightweight, compact classic standard arbor design feauturing a very generous line capacity. The adjustable spring and pawl drag is very light, very simple, and very reliable, either wet or dry. An exposed palming rim on the spool lets you increase the drag “hands-on”, whenever necessary. If you grew up fishing with the sweet sound of a spring and pawl drag, you’ll love this modern version from the premier manufacturer of fly fishing reels; Abel. As that big Brown races down a shallow weed channel, your Abel Creek will sing that music you love to hear.
Specifications:
- Weight: 4.3 oz
- Spool Diameter: 3.500 inches
- Spool Width: .600 inches
- Line weight + Yards of Dacron backing: 6 + 185 20#, 7 + 150 20#
- Matches with optional Creek Large Arbor Spool #2
Leland on the Abel Creek Fly Reels
In a nutshell, there are two basic types of fly reel drags; the classic spring and pawl, popularized by Hardy of England well over a century ago ( the English call it a click-check), or one of many variations of the more modern disk drag. Most anglers and manufacturers today overlook the spring and pawl, unfairly, in favor of disks for all fly fishing. Actually, the spring and pawl, if well constructed, is very reliable for trout and steelhead fishing, and is the lightest and simplest to build. And as it works, it creates that sweet sound that many of us find synonymous with fly fishing.
The craftsmen at Abel have taken this venerable spring and pawl design, and applied their two decades of experience in creating the Abel Creek Reels. Beautiful in their simplicity, these lightweight machines exhibit the superb fit and finish that has made Abel the standard of quality in the fly fishing industry. Four models of the Abel Creek Reel are available; the Large Arbor Creek 1 and Creek 2, for those that prefer the line handling advantages of a large arbor design, and the Standard Arbor Creek 1 and 2 for a greater line capacity. The Standard Arbor spools exchange with their respective Large Arbor models, for a great range of versatility.
The drag system, attached to the inside of the frame, consists of a “pawl”, a piece of steel shaped like a slice of pie, and a steel spring, which tensions the pawl across its base. As the drag adjustment knob is tightened, it increases tension on this spring. The point of the pawl engages a toothed steel gear mounted on the inner center of the reel spool. As line is pulled off the spool, the gear ratchets against the pawl, creating resistance and a distinct clicking noise. When reeling line in, resistance is reduced because the curved base of the pawl engaging the spring is asymmetrical; it rocks one way a little easier than the other. But it still makes a great sound going in or out. This rattlesnake “buzz” allows the angler to reference how fast line is coming off the spool, and is the reason that most anglers prefer a noise feature even on their disk drag reels.
Springs and pawls aren’t capable of producing the several pounds of resistance found in Abel’s cork disk drag; in fact, only a small fraction. The tension on a spring and pawl drag is usually set at a minimal level only to prevent line “overspooling” or tangling when line comes off the spool at maximum speed. Any additional drag resistance required in a particular fishing situation is simply added by feathering the exterior spool’s “palming rim” with a finger, fingers, or the palm of the hand.
Thus, for freshwater, spring and pawl drag reels protect light tippets when fish run, with minimal resistance from two small moving parts, and the fly angler enjoys the “hands-on” experience which is the hallmark of our art. In addition, spring and pawl drags remain relatively constant whether wet or dry, unlike many of the poorer disk designs that require risky adjustments during the battle if the reel has been dunked.
The Abel Creek Reels exemplify the marvelous marriage of 19th century tradition, with 21st century design, machining, and finishing techniques.
Leland on Abel Products
Established in 1987, the Abel name is synonymous with quality fly fishing products. Their fly fishing reels have set the industry standard for excellence. Steve Abel, the Abel behind the company name, was schooled as a machinist in the aerospace industry. Frustrated with the fly reels available to the demanding saltwater angler, he set out to create the "perfect fly reel;" and as Steve will gladly admit, he became obsessed with this pursuit. The time and effort Abel craftsmen have spent developing their superb reels becomes clear the first time you fish with one. Skillfully machined from solid blocks of high molecular density cold finished 6061-T6 aluminum and 303 stainless steel, Abel reels maintain an ideal balance of durability, weight and performance. Every possible facet of Abel reels are beautifully ported, or ventilated, by CNC (Computer Numerical Control) lathes and mills without compromising structural integrity. In fact, every machinable part, right down to the stainless screws, is produced in Abel’s Camarillo, California facility to insure the utmost in quality control. All parts are hand polished before assembly. The result is a light, yet extremely robust reel that can survive a lifetime of fishing. Though their outward appearance exudes precision, with an Abel reel, it's what is inside that really counts. At the center of every Abel Big Game and Super Series Reel is a large cork composite disk actuated by a draw bar through the center of the reel. This cork drag system is elegantly simple, with very few parts, yet, is highly effective. As the drag knob is tightened, the back of the spool is drawn against the cork drag disk. This large drag surface can create a substantial amount of friction and thus can effectively slow a powerful fish. The resultant heat is the reason that many reel drag systems fail. However, the Abel open draw bar utilizes the entire spool and frame to dissipate this heat quicker than any other drag design. Cork is the only durable drag material that is compressible, offering a very low start-up inertia and silky-smooth transition with a wide range of adjustability The results speak for themselves; fly reels that have been the most successful in landing fish over 100 pounds, and, therefore, operate more smoothly and survive the greatest amounts of stress, have draw bar drags. That’s why, according to the International Game Fish Association, Abel Fly Fishing Reels landed more World Records in 2006 than any other brand. The Leland Team has fished Abel reels all over the world, from New Zealand to Nantucket, and they have consistently landed fish without problem, time and time again. Whether pursuing ocean giants or fishing your favorite trout stream, you can count on your Abel Reel.
Abel on Abel Creek Fly Reels
Described by one knowledgeable writer as “the classic trout reel for the 21st Century and probably the definitive spring creek reel.”
Whatever rod you choose to hang an Abel Creek on, a new graphite or that antique cane, these reels will look
right at home. These are modern large arbor trout reels with traditional values including an adjustable click drag. The narrow frame coupled with large arbor spool means
fast line pick-
up,
fast retrieve and a classic,
elegant look. Standard Arbor spools interchange with the Large Arbor spools of the same size.
All reels are machined from solid
blocks of 6061-T prime grade aircraft quality aluminum. Our precision machinists maintain exacting tolerances, ensuring anglers a reel that performs flawlessly. Reels are meticulously anodized and hand-finished for a lifetime of corrosion resistance.
- 2009 marks the 11th year Abel has made Abel Creek Reels.
- Internally adjustable pawl click drag made from 303 heat treated stainless steel is locked in place by two small hex cam nuts and a spring retainer.
- To adjust the incoming or outgoing tension, simply rotate the fully enclosed hex nuts with your fingertip.
- Narrow frame equals fast line pick-up.
- FlexABELity: Interchange both large arbor and standard arbor spools.
Abel on Abel
Our Mission Statement:
To design and build the best, most dependable gear in the world and give world class customer service.
WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
According to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Abel Reels were used to set 56 Fly Fishing World Records during 2006. Abel’s World Record catches were for both fresh and saltwater fish in a variety of species and tippet classes.
Abel reel frames and spools are machined from cold finished 6061-T6 aircraft quality aluminum. Cold finished aluminum is significantly more expensive than extruded aluminum; but the cold finishing process dramatically increases the molecular density. It creates a stronger metal. Reels are then precision machined (not die cast) on C.N.C. lathes and mills. They are then both machined and hand de-burred, hand polished, cleaned and inspected. The end result is a lightweight reel that’s tough as a Marine drill sergeant and destined to be fished by you, your children, grandchildren and theirs!
