Guideline Reels
Guideline is a very fast growing flyfishing company from Scandinavia that has been in business for less than a dcade. They are a full-line company that has several rods, reels, lines, waders, jackets, and just about anything else one would be using for our sport, including some very innovative fly tying materials and tools. I'm going to be featuring their top-line reel. The Quadra is a freshwater/saltwater reel in what I've often referred to as the lightweight large arbor design. It is crafted from 6061 aluminum and has the drag system integrated into the center shaft. Other companies often refer to this as a "sealed" drag system, but Guideline prefers to simply state that the reel "is virtually unaffected by water and weather conditions." I think that is a more accurate presentation of the design. These reels are very light considering their rugged construction (the 1012 is just over 8oz.) It's got a nice sounding click on the outgo and is silent when winding. The drag is cork and Carbontex in a stack. In general, it is larger in diameter and slighly narrower in width than the Inex model it replaces. The three smaller sizes feature a pop-out spool release while the two larger sizes have a threaded locking system, and all models feature a full frame for durability. The Quadra is available in a Gun Metal anodized finish only. It is also easily converted from RH/LH, has an incredibly comfortable handle, comes with a neoprene reelcase, and is warranteed for three years against manufacturer or material defects.
New for 2010 is the Guideline Haze. It shares a lot of features with the Quadra, but is priced at about half the price of the comparable Quadra. I think long and hard about featuring a reel in this price range as there are a ton of good reels (but very few great ones) in this category. However, I have to be honest with you and say I'm not sure there is one that is of this high of quality. It has a beautifully done glossy black anodized T6061 barstock aluminum finish, a well designed spool release system, and a smooth drag with a maximum drag of 7 pounds in the largest sizes. The drag is of the increasingly popular stacked systems and features stainless and Teflon discs in the smallest two sizes and stainless and carbon fiber discs (eight of them all together) in the largest sizes. The drag/clutch assembly is sealed and allows for RH/LH conversion. Photos should be up soon!
|
Model |
Dia. |
Wd. |
Wt. |
Capacity |
Price |
Spool |
Haze 24 |
3.25 |
1.10 |
4.3 |
WF4 & 80yds of #20 |
$210.00 |
$100.00 |
Haze 46 |
3.50 |
1.20 |
4.75 |
WF5F & 100yds of 20# |
$225.00 |
$115.00 |
Haze 68 |
3.70 |
1.25 |
5.95 |
WF8F & 100yds of 20# |
$235.00 |
$130.00 |
Haze 810 |
4.25 |
1.37 |
9.00 |
WF9F & 250yds of 20# |
$250.00 |
$145.00 |
Haze 1012 |
4.50 |
1.50 |
10.7 |
WF12F & 225yds of 30# |
$275.00 |
$160.00 |
|
Quadra 24 |
3.25 |
1.20 |
3.80 |
WF4F
& 80yds of 20# |
$400.00 |
$120.00 |
|
Quadra 46 |
3.50 |
1.20 |
4.90 |
WF5F
& 100yds of 20# |
$415.00 |
$135.00 |
Quadra 68 |
3.70 |
1.25 |
6.10 |
WF7F & 100yds of 20# |
$450.00 |
$150.00 |
Quadra 810 |
4.10 |
1.45 |
7.90 |
WF9F & 200yds of 30# |
$540.00 |
$170.00 |
Quadra 1012 |
4.50 |
1.55 |
8.20 |
WF12F & 225yds of 30# |
$575.00 |
$190.00 |
The Quadra and Haze 810 are also designed to hold a Guideline Power Taper Scandinavian shooting head 9/10, plus a Guideline GL shooting line and 200yds of 30#. The Quadra and Haze 1012 will each hold a PT 10/11 with the same running line and 300yds of 30#.
Call or e-mail me for information regarding the superb Guideline rods, flylines, fly tying supplies, and other products. Their Scandinavian shooting heads for double-handed rods are particularly popular. If there is enough demand for these I will order some for inventory.