Orvis Ratings and Reviews
ACCESSORIES(1,788)
BOOKS(9)
BOOKS & VIDEO(236)
BOOTFOOT WADERS(98)
FISHING GLOVES(62)
FISHING HATS(9)
FISHING LUGGAGE(270)
FLY BOXES(502)
FLY LINE & BACKING(778)
FLY VESTS & JACKETS(130)
HEAVY FLY REELS(486)
LEADERS/TIPPETS(586)
LIGHT FLY REELS(78)
NETS/WADING STAFFS(202)
OPTICS/SUNGLASSES(241)
SPIN TACKLE(5)
STOCKINGFOOT WADERS(436)
TECHNICAL OUTERWEAR(143)
WATERCRAFT(5)
Shop Now At Orvis
Most Popular Products
Top-Rated Products
Mirage Reels
(50)
Access Mid-Arbor Reels
(110)
Top Rated Product
Encounter Large Arbor Reel
The all new Orvis Encounter Large Arbor is a value-priced fly reel with the all the credentials of a much higher-priced large arbor. Made of a molded composite, the Encounter is extremely lightweight, but the inline, Rulon to stainless, stacked disc drag system is the most powerful in its price class making it the budget fly reel. Easy right- and left-hand conversion with a positive click drag knob to allow for consistent drag settings. For the budget-minded angler or a first fly reel, the Orvis Encounter Large Arbor is a no-compromise option.
Average Customer Rating:
Rating Snapshot (47 reviews)
5 stars
31
4 stars
13
3 stars
1
2 stars
2
1 star
0
45 of 47(96%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Review 1 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Orvis encounter 11,
September 3, 2012
By: devronmac
from Banffshire Scotland
"I went over to Orvis Banchory with the intention of buying a 4 weight Clearwater Outfit but I was more impressed with the Access 4 weight even although it was a bit more expensive. The dealer recommended the Encounter 11 as a matching reel and I took his advice. The Clearwater did not actually fit the rod anyway. It is a cracking reel for the money and exudes quality and refinement. Tried out the outfit yesterday with an Access 5 weight WF floater and caught a 3.5lb rainbow on my second cast. The outfit and reel performed admirably and I absolutely love the lightness of the outfit compared to my 7 weight kit. It casts beautifully even in a high wind.Took a bit longer to land the fish but it was more fun."
Share this review:
Review 2 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
great buy,
July 9, 2012
By: finavon4
from Scotland
"I have only used the reel on one occasion since purchase but have already recommended it to other anglers. I have used the reel on a difficult section of the river South Esk in Scotland. The light weight and large arbor make line recovery very easy in fast high water conditions."
Share this review:
Review 3 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Good Value Reel,
July 4, 2012
By: Agiclone
from Derbyshire, England
"Another puchase for my son after another brand wore out rapidly. Very light and balances a 5 weight rod nicely. Had a problem with a spare spool being a bit tight but excellent customer service and was exchanged without question. I will probably get the cassette version when my old Rocky Mountains give up (but no signs yet)."
Share this review:
Review 4 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Excellent reel,
May 16, 2013
By: Dan2511
"This is a fantastic value large arbour reel. I put on a frequent flyer and load it with a 9# line. Superb saltwater outfit. The reel performs amazingly well especially for the price. Buy one!"
Share this review:
Review 5 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Backup Salt,
May 8, 2013
By: TNBud
from Smoky Mountains, TN
"Purchased this for an upcoming Bahamas trip as a backup. The overall feel is very light compared to similar models and still has a decent drag system. Only concern is whether it will hold up in heavy use. Obviously cheaper materials, but still made with the Orvis standard."
Share this review:
Review 6 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Great value and function,
May 8, 2013
By: JB156
from Lavallette, NJ
"Just purchased the Encounter Large Arbor IV for my 9 wt saltwater fly rod. The reel is very well made, has a smooth drag and holds 200 yds of backing and fly line with no problems. Haven't caught any fish yet but the season is still early. I would highly recommend it for saltwater applications."
Share this review:
Review 7 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Where its at,
May 1, 2013
By: Crandel
from Camdenton mo
"Surpassed my expectation. Great value for the qualty. With this reel orvis has won my loyalty."
Share this review:
Review 8 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
An Orvis "Encounter",
April 30, 2013
By: DrFAS
from 7Springs, PA
"If the name on the product is "Orvis" I know it will be exactly as advertised and nothing less.. My new Encounter reel is just another excellent example.. Perfect as an entry level fly reel and one that will likely be used by it's owner for years to come..
DrFAS"
Share this review:
Review 9 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
awesome reel,
April 30, 2013
By: minnebelle9
"i have had this reel for about a year and taken many large fish on a light
line. the drag system is the best in the buissnes. it is of a much higher price, worth every dollar."
line. the drag system is the best in the buissnes. it is of a much higher price, worth every dollar."
Share this review:
Review 10 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Best $45 spent on anything fishing related,
February 25, 2013
By: NWSteelheader
from Portland yeeehaw Oregon
"I bought this reel as a "last minute" purchase in preparation for a saltwater trip to the Cancun / Ascension Bay area. It was flat out AWESOME! The drag could hold a fully loaded VW bus! It was mistreated for 11 days, dropped, left in salt water, and put away wet. Always responded happily the next day. As a matter of fact, when I returned last week I finally opened up the case/sock and rinsed it off in fresh water. Slight oxidizing on the two screws and reel knob. That was it. Whipped it off wi an oily gun rag, re-lubed and that's all. Ready for another trip. Oh, did I say how robust it is?!?! That drag equals reels of much higher cost."
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Share this review:
Review 11 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Best Budget Reel I Could Find,
February 25, 2013
By: NorthBound
from Portland, ME
"This winter I decided to setup a budget 6 wt for my boat that I could beat the heck out of and not feel too bad about it. I didn't want to spend much on the reel, but the last thing I wanted was something overweight (most cast reels I considered). Had I not found this, I would have ended up spending 3 or 4x as much money to get what I was looking for. The Encounter is rugged, light, scratch-proof, and spools are inexpensive. My only concern at this point is the spool release. It seems like it doesn't lock in as tight as it could. However, I'm minimally concerned and I know Orvis will back it up it does fail.
I suspect this reel will get more use than my much more expensive 5 wt setup."
Share this review:
Review 12 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Nice reel low price,
January 4, 2013
By: Fly2fish49
from Spokane Wa.
"Bought this reel because of it's light weight, large arbor attributes. It is sturdy, retrieves line quickly and fits
well with a 4wt. 10ft. nymph rod. It
may be to large for some but the more I use it the overall size is of
no concern."
well with a 4wt. 10ft. nymph rod. It
may be to large for some but the more I use it the overall size is of
no concern."
Share this review:
Review 13 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Recnet Fly Reel,
January 1, 2013
By: RoninColorado
from Colorado Springs, CO
"Outstanding service and product. I am very happy with this purchase and it was less expensive than similiar reels with the same characteristics. Go Orvis!"
Share this review:
Review 14 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
very reliable,
December 29, 2012
By: pringle84
from niagara falls
"for the price, this reel is fantastic. smooth drag system and very durable. a very attractive reel as well."
Share this review:
Review 15 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Excellent reel,
December 8, 2012
By: acricky
from Rickmansworth, UK
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"This is an excellent reel, good value for money and ideal for freshwater trout fishing. I was very impressed with the first one bough, I now own four of them."
Share this review:
Review 16 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
What more could you want?,
November 6, 2012
By: Seeds
from Atlanta, Ga
"i had other reels from other companies that annoyed me so much. they all made a really loud ticking noise when i reeled. also made out of cheap plastic. i decided to go ahead and buy an Orvis one. the great new that Orvis has i figured the least expensive (notice i said least expensive instead of cheapest) one would be better than a similarly priced other brand. i was thrilled to find out i was right. great reel"
Share this review:
Review 17 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Large Arbor Reel,
October 23, 2012
By: ColoradoCourtney
from Vail, CO
"Reel was uncomfortably big for my 5wt rod. I ended up returning it."
Share this review:
Review 18 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
great reel,
September 28, 2012
By: rjmc
from Contoocook, NH
"I'm new to fly fishing and had been using old reels that were given to us for several years. This summer I decided to buy some new ones, it was time. So we took this one and two others from different retailers (about the same price) and fly fished everything for the month for August, small streams, ponds, rivers, and saltwater. Same rods and reels, changing lines as needed.
One reel failed completly, one worked well, the Encounter execeded expectations. It handled the small wild brook trout to the 27 inch striped bass very well. Thank you Orvis."
Share this review:
Review 19 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Just bought it!,
September 24, 2012
By: bigsur
from Great Smokies TN
"I went to my local flyshop yesterday to buy a low cost replacement reel for my back-up rod. After looking at my options I went with the Encounter. Should have bought it earlier and enjoyed the whole summer with it. Lightweight, great response, casts like a dream, nice drag for the price. Fished the Smokles in a small stream with the back up rod for 2 hours than raced to a large tailwater river to check out distance casts. It worked great in both, called Orvis first thing Monday morning and ordered the Clearwater for my primary Orvis rod to replace the mid arbor I was using, can't wait to try it! Thanks Orvis."
Share this review:
Review 20 for Encounter Large Arbor Reel
Overall Rating:
Great reel,
August 24, 2012
By: ushi
from CA
"Terrific reel. I have several other non-metal reels, and this is the lightest by far. In fact it is so light, it moves the balance point of my rod back over an inch. Seems very strong and both the general operation and drag are very smooth and flawless. After trying out my setup my son wants to buy one also."
Share this review:
