Orvis Ratings and Reviews
ACCESSORIES(1,787)
BOOKS(10)
BOOKS & VIDEO(245)
BOOTFOOT WADERS(99)
FISHING GLOVES(64)
FISHING HATS(10)
FISHING LUGGAGE(277)
FLY BOXES(516)
FLY LINE & BACKING(731)
FLY VESTS & JACKETS(138)
HEAVY FLY REELS(505)
LEADERS/TIPPETS(614)
LIGHT FLY REELS(91)
NETS/WADING STAFFS(207)
OPTICS/SUNGLASSES(241)
SPIN TACKLE(6)
STOCKINGFOOT WADERS(462)
TECHNICAL OUTERWEAR(137)
WATERCRAFT(3)
Shop Now At Orvis
Most Popular Products
Top-Rated Products
Mirage Reels
(50)
Access Mid-Arbor Reels
(116)
Top Rated Product
Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
There is not another true large arbor, big-game fly-fishing reel out there that carries this drag system performance at a price starting at just $225. It's unheard of until now. The new Hydros® Reel Series features a sealed drag surface that increases total drag surface by model: The larger the reel, the larger the drag surface and the more resistance available to handle larger fish. Using stacked carbon washers, controlled by a positive click adjustment system, the Hydros can be fine-tuned to handle any fish from a trout to a tuna with sustained and infinitely durable drag pressure.
Average Customer Rating:
Rating Snapshot (75 reviews)
5 stars
62
4 stars
4
3 stars
3
2 stars
2
1 star
4
66 of 75(88%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Stories:
Customer Reviews for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Review 1 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Awesome Reel, great service,
June 18, 2013
By: Apples18
from London, UK
"Recently bought my second Hydros LA III reel (Gold) to match my Helios 6wt 9' Rod - outfit looks awesome. Spent last weekend on my local still water , landing a few nice rainbows. Reel has a super smooth when stripping off line and handling any fish off the reel.
Reel arrived set up for a LH, got into contact with the Orvis Customer service. Team were very friendly and provided instructions to change the set up to RH.
Another great Orvis experience!"
Share this review:
Review 2 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Best reel ever,
June 7, 2013
By: Pamatth
from Alburtis, PA
"Used this reel for the first time this weekend and absolutely loved it. Best money ever spent on fishing gear."
Share this review:
Review 3 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Hydros LA III,
June 5, 2013
By: catchbigone
from Bosseman, MT
"Best reel in over 50yrs of fly fishing I have ever owned...Purchased one after burned up 2 other mfg reels & does the job...first class"
Share this review:
Review 4 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Seal failure,
May 27, 2013
By: Tempintas
from Burnie Tasmania Aust
"After a lot of research I purchased a Hydros IV for a trip to Christmas Island chasing bones, reel worked fine, however after ensuring the reel was thoroughly washed in fresh water and dried after each of six days fishing and then stored on return home, I now find that salt water penetrated the carbon fibre drag area and corrosion has set in.
I am quite disappointed and feel that I have wasted my money and would not now recommend this reel."
I am quite disappointed and feel that I have wasted my money and would not now recommend this reel."
Share this review:
Review 5 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Multiple Reels says everything,
May 15, 2013
By: Neanderthal
from Puyallup, WA
"My local Orvis shop recommended this reel to match a Superfine 604. The combination looks fantastic and reel is just butter smooth. I liked it so much I got another one to match my Superfine 764 and my Superfine 905."
Share this review:
Review 6 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Hydros Reel for Swith Rods,
May 2, 2013
By: thombui
from Aptos California
"I have found this reel a Hydros 5 for a 7 wt switch rod to be excellent. The capacity and and weight ditrbution is excelent and the drag is great and easily adjustable. The price point is such that additional sppols are possible for multiple lines which is particularly great for steel head fishing and shad. Go for it at this price it would be hard to find better."
Share this review:
Review 7 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Sadly, hopeless!,
April 23, 2013
By: Londonfisher
from London, England
"I bought this reel a year or so ago as a standby and so hadn't used it until last week. The review of the 10th March says it all. When spey casting the shooting line snags between the spool and cage and even turns into the spool, causing it to lock up. It's completely hopeless and unuseable.
Sad, as I have used a Batterkill large arbour (no longer available)on a switch rod for some years and it's a delight."
Sad, as I have used a Batterkill large arbour (no longer available)on a switch rod for some years and it's a delight."
Share this review:
Review 8 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Loved this reel until I used is! Now Hate it,
March 10, 2013
By: WTBaucom
from Grand Rapids, MI
"I really liked the way the reel felt in the store, like the finish. Liked the drag. The price was right... I Thought. i had read the issues about the GAP! I didn't undersand until the first time I useit shooting line. Almost everytime the line will go through the gap and hang up the reel. I lost my first fish of the Steelhead seson because of this. I will try to return it tomorrow unless someone knows a fix for it! Great looking reel. JUST DON'T USE IT FOR SPEY CASTING!"
Share this review:
Review 9 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
good reel,
February 25, 2013
By: icemnn
from Michigan
"Has a nice drag system winds line up fast good or large trout or bass"
Share this review:
Review 10 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
A good reel but,
February 9, 2013
By: fishy12
from Suffolk
"Hydros Large Arbor V Fly Reel
A brilliant reel with a conventional fly line
No good for a shooting head with running line
THAT GAP BETWEEN REEL AND SPOOL
Twice Ihave had the running line drop in on the spool
I had a fish on two casts later ??
I like the reel so much it is now in a private work shop
All Orvis wanted to do is give money back
You could make a good reel brilliant ??"
A brilliant reel with a conventional fly line
No good for a shooting head with running line
THAT GAP BETWEEN REEL AND SPOOL
Twice Ihave had the running line drop in on the spool
I had a fish on two casts later ??
I like the reel so much it is now in a private work shop
All Orvis wanted to do is give money back
You could make a good reel brilliant ??"
Share this review:
Review 11 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Love at first sight,
February 6, 2013
By: Orvisbum321
"The reels drag system handles any and everything you throw at it. The smooth metallic click of the drag is music to the ears. The reel is easy on the eyes too. The machined metal is durable and artfully designed. Must buy for anyone looking to consistently stand up to big fish and salt water."
Share this review:
Review 12 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Superior Reel for Altlantic Salmon,
January 19, 2013
By: DWHF
from Maine
"The Hydros Large Arbor is a serious reel for serious fish. I use the large arbor along with a 10' 7wt Helios on the MIramichi River for large fresh run atlantic salmon.
Both Rod and Reel are well balanced and can handle anything the river throws at them."
Share this review:
Review 13 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Great Reel,
January 14, 2013
By: Snookslayer239
from Sanibel fl
"Amazing reel, put it on a loomis gl3 have fished about 20 times since I've gotten it and it works great fresh or salt"
Share this review:
Review 14 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Not Sure What to Think,
January 7, 2013
By: KevinAZ
from Phoenix, AZ
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"I bought this reel (Hydros V) to pair with a 9-wt, to use during a trip to Panama later this year. The reel is relatively light and very well priced compared to other manufacturers. The finish is absolutely impeccable. I ordered a gold reel, but was shipped a black reel. Orvis’ Customer Service Rep was very courteous and re-sent me a gold reel right away (even offered to overnight it for Christmas). The reason that I mention this is that the drag knob on that reel was very tight and difficult to adjust. On the second reel (Gold), the drag knob is not tight, and is easily adjustable. Maybe the tightness is due to manufacturing tolerances and would loosen up with use?? I have read other reviews about the shape of the drag knob making it difficult to adjust the drag in the ‘less-drag-direction’ – I could see how my fingers could slip off the knob, especially when wet or fatigued during a fight. I have also read reviews about the running line getting caught in the reel – I have included a picture below that shows the gap – I’m not sure why that gap is so wide – on my Orvis Battenkill Bar Stock reel, that same gap is very tight. This is a concern, because a tangle of the line would likely cause the reel to bind up and the leader would break, costing me the fish or if I was into the backing and the backing became tangled, it could cost me my fly line."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 15 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Great Reel,
December 29, 2012
By: FLYCATCHER
from North Carolina
"This is probably the best reel I have ever used. I bought one for myself and liked it so well I bought one for my son for Christmas."
Share this review:
Review 16 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Disappointed,
December 15, 2012
By: JNazal
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"I bought a Hydros LA II last year and the overall experience has been quite pleasant. It performs very well in different conditions; the size and weight are just perfect for a 4wt rod. Nevertheless, I recently bought another one (a LA I), which came with the counterweight missing from the spool. I contacted Orvis to get further advice on this. They first told me that they would send me a replacement as soon as they receive the damaged reel. Since the season is on, I refused to do such thing, so they agreed to send me just the counterweight assembly (a missing counterweight is not a big deal). However, it has been almost a month and nothing. Considering the nature of the problem (manufacturing, engineering, shipping, whatever) if I were Orvis, I would have got on top of the problem and reacted fast. Sadly, this did not happen and I am extremely disappointed."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 17 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
great spey reel,
December 12, 2012
By: speynut
from Syracuse NY
"I have the Hydros LA V on a spey rod I use it 3x a week or more on the famed New York Salmon River for large steelhead and salmon all year!!!! Excellent durability , it performs very well under harsh condtions. The drag is very smooth."
Share this review:
Review 18 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Great purchase,
December 11, 2012
By: Anonymous
from clayton, CA
"This is a great reel at a great price. You never know what you will catch surf fishing. The drag is excellent. Does not hurt that it is also a nice looking reel."
Share this review:
Review 19 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Works well,
December 10, 2012
By: Wats
from Malibu,california
"So far so good...spools nicely and no problems with drag..."
Share this review:
Review 20 for Hydros Large Arbor Fly Reels
Overall Rating:
Hydros reel,
November 8, 2012
By: Steelfreak
from The great Pacific Northwest.
"I own a Hydros, three Access and one Clearwater reel and I have never had an issue with any of them until the Hydros. There is gap between the spool and the bridges that allow the running line to slide between and jam or loop around the bridge. Of course Orvis guarantees the satisfaction so I have returned the Hydros for an Access."
Share this review:
