Orvis Ratings and Reviews

Top Rated Product

Access Mid-Arbor Reels

The new Access Mid-Arbor fly fishing reels take the mid-arbor concept to a new level of performance and do it at a price that makes it accessible to everyone. Starting at just $145, the Access Reel Series offers a full-range of performance features from machined 6061 aircraft aluminum to a totally sealed carbon and stainless-steel drag surface. From the diminutive I to the big-game V, the Access offers the angler the benefits of large arbor; faster retrieve, less coiling, but at a diameter size that isn't quite as overwhelming as some large arbors. With a new larger handle, positive click drag adjustment, and three bold colors, the Access fly fishing reels are the best dollar for dollar reel value in the industry. Imported.
Average Customer Rating:
4.733 out of 5
4.7
 out of 
5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Snapshot (116 reviews)
5 stars
95
4 stars
15
3 stars
3
2 stars
2
1 star
1
112 of 116(97%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Stories:
Customer Reviews for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Review 1 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Awesome Reel,
October 8, 2012
By: TNBud
from Smokey Mountains, TN
"Purchased the Access MAII for my 4 weight to use in Smokey Mtns. Performed wonderfully for brutal day climbing upstream chasing brook and browns. Would recommend this for anyone."
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 2 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Smart Buy!,
June 17, 2013
By: Pulse
from Alberta Canada
"The reel is a solid buy! You cant go wrong with the smooth drag and durability of this reel. The only thing I would change about the reel would be the size of it. The IV mid arbor is a tad small on my 8wt and looks rather unbalanced but the performance is second to none!
I have already tested this reel on northern pike and brown trout and im proud to say it handled both extremely well.
"
Review 3 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Great Product,
June 12, 2013
By: AliAsh
"Online description was great and I got exactly what I needed."
Review 4 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Orvis Mid-Arbor Reel.,
June 3, 2013
By: PeteMT
"I get one of the for each of my nephews and nieces. I also get each engraved. Great gift, always arrives on time, and personalized makes it special for young boys and girls on the other side of the country. Give the gift of fly fishing. You'll be glad you did and Orvis makes it easy."
Review 5 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
A good reel,
May 30, 2013
By: Anonymous
from Savannah, ga
"This is an amazing reel. Light weight and smooth. I use it for redfish and its great. Think I might do better if I have a large arbor so the hydros is gonna be my next buy."
Review 6 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Best bang for your buck,
May 25, 2013
By: PAFF
from Pennsylvania
"For the price, this reel is out of this world. Many other reels in this price range possess nowhere near the quality of this one. The drag is smooth as silk, even the handle for it offers perfect adjustments. Been using the size II all season with 3 and 4 wt lines and haven't found a problem yet."
Review 7 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Nice reel!,
May 21, 2013
By: Gmantiger
from Guilderland, N.Y.
"I'm very happy with my recent purchase of a new, gold Orvis Mid-Arbor II fly reel. It is the right size and balance to go along with my Orvis 8 foot Super Fine Touch rod. Orvis has great products!"
Review 8 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Does the job,
April 26, 2013
By: Beethoven2nd
from Alabama
"This is my second Access IV reel, and I also have two extra spools. I use them with my 8-weight rods, primarily for bass fishing, and they balance just right, hold all the backing I will need for freshwater and light saltwater fishing, and feel good when reeling the line in. The drag is much stronger than the reels I used before I got these."
Review 9 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Great reel,
March 28, 2013
By: Gannon
from Oregon
"I have a smaller version of this reel and now the larger reel. I feel this reel may be one of the best priced reels out there for what you get."
Review 10 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Fly Reel,
March 19, 2013
By: BMemilW5328
from Woodbridge, NJ
"This was my first fly reel purchase from Orvis and I have considered other manufacturers but overall this was the best one for the quality and price. If your looking for a great fly reel this is the one."
Review 11 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
A Solid Design!,
February 9, 2013
By: FlybumMedia
from Cleveland, OH
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
"I have several of the mid arbor reels ranging from small trout reels to steelhead and salmon...have fished them personally and also allowed hundreds of clients to use them. I have never had a single issue with any of the reels I have owned and they have been put through the roughest tests! If you are looking for a solid, tested reel at a value price, I think you can't go wrong here. That is probably why it's Orvis' #1 selling reel."
Review 12 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Great Carp Reel!,
February 8, 2013
By: LonnyG
from Loveland Colorado
"I use the Access primarily for Carp here in Colorado and I just love this reel. Easy to use, great pickup speed and able to really torque down when I land a big one. I would recommend the Access to anyone needing quality and looks!"
Review 13 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Wonderful,
January 1, 2013
By: masulloaguiar
from Manaus-Brasil
"Reel class "A"
Simply wonderful. Very beautiful and functional
"
Review 14 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Great value,
December 29, 2012
By: Knumberman
from Memphis, Tn
"I'm very pleased with this reel. I didn't know how much a good reel could add to the fun of fly fishing. The drag is simple to set and works beautifully. I would recommend this reel without hesitation. It's a terrific value at this price."
Review 15 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
2 / 5
2 / 5
loved the reel till it broke,
December 21, 2012
By: jacksone
from Reno, NV
"The reel drag system worked great on two steelhead outings. On the third the drag knob retaining screw broke dumping the drag knob into the river. This may have been a fluke with one reel but the customer service at both the local Orvis store and Orvis would not help me beyond sending the reel back to Orvis. Orvis customer service would not call the local store and request a courtesy exchange. With my limited time on this trip this was poor customer service."
Review 16 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Access Reel,
December 19, 2012
By: cbs1
"Access reel of nice quality except for a significant design flaw in that there is a lot of play/space between the handle and reel body. This loose fit does not allow a solid connection between the user and reel. Don't think it will improve with use. Suggest a spacer at a minimum.
Reel was returned.
"
Review 17 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
3 / 5
3 / 5
decent reel,
December 11, 2012
By: flyguy82
from Oklahoma
"It's a beautiful little reel in gold. I was disappointed that the personalization looked a little cheap. I feel like it will wear off after the first trip. You may be better off taking it to a quality engraver."
Response from Orvis:By Orvis Customer Service TeamDecember 20, 2012
We thank you for your feedback regarding this product. We would like to assure you that our personalization process has been tested thoroughly and will hold up to repeated use. We choose to laser our reels rather than engrave, because engraving would corrupt the anodization and expose the metal of the reel to corrosion. Lasering preserves the integrity of the finish and still allows you to add a permanent personal touch. As always, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our products.
Review 18 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
GREAT VALUE,
December 9, 2012
By: CaptainDav
from Newport Beach, Ca
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
User submitted photo
User submitted photo
"I OWN 4 OF THESE WITH SPARE SPOOLS FOR ALL REELS. I HAVE BEEN FISHING WITH MY 5 WT REEL 2-4 DAYS A WEEK FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS IN SALT WATER, AND IT IS HOLDING UP GREAT.
I WASH/DRY MY REEL AND CLEAN THE LINE AFTER EVERY TRIP, OTHER THEN THAT I OIL THE ANTI-REVERSE BEARING WITH REEL-X LUBE. SINCE I FISH PRIMARILY IN SALT WATER I DISASSEMBLED THE REEL SEAT AND PUT A GOOD LAYER OF GREASE ON THE THREADS & BASE TO KEEP THE SALT AWAY AND PREVENT CORROSION, WIPING THE EXCESS AFTER.
I DO & HAVE RECOMMENDED THIS REEL TO MY FRIENDS,
TIGHT LINES TO ALL-"
Review 19 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Great Reel Great Price,
December 9, 2012
By: Flyguy84
from NJ
"I bought 2 Access Reels, one for my 7wt Clearwater Rod, and one for 9wt Clearwater Rod. Both reels performed beautifly. They really shined while fishing in below freezing weather while snowing for Steelhead. They balance very nicely on the rods, hold lots of backing, and really put the brakes on those fresh Steelhead right out of Lake Ontario. I hooked a large Steelhead that was intent on going back to the lake and take me with her but I tightened the drag and stopped her in her tracks. Additionally they look like they cost a lot more than I paid for them. The best part is you know you are getting Quality and a Company that stands behind their product. I love these reels so much I am going to replace all my fly reels on my other rods with the Access Reels. Thank you Orvis for a tried and true product. Will be ordering more very soon."
Review 20 for Access Mid-Arbor Reels
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Classic, yet modern!,
November 27, 2012
By: Oler
from Oslo, Norway
"I wanted a sturdy, well made reel with a classic appearance (don't fancy those modern reels, but the vintage reels are too heavy and clumsy). I fish in both fresh- and saltwater, so I needed a reel with a waterproof drag system. I'm not too keen on the modern large-arbor concept, a mid-arbor would do the trick. The reel would have to be light, buildt with modern materials and hold plenty of backing (I've got over 160 yards of 20lbs on my Access III). The Orvis Access was my choice, and it has served me well so far. I use a III for my 5wt and a IV for my 7wt. Highly recommended!"