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
Top-Rated Products
Top Rated Product
CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
The CFO fly fishing reel has been the choice of technical fly fisherman since 1971. Reengineered to be lighter, smoother, and tougher. Although this fly fishing reel is machined using the most modern of materials and state-of-the-art machining technology, the CFO disc drag fly reel is a reverent nod to fly fishing tradition. The reel's signature look and sound are synonymous for thousands of fly fisherman with great moments on the water. It matches as perfectly in spirit, looks and performance with Orvis Superfine or bamboo fly rods as it does with our high-tech Helios fly rods.
Average Customer Rating:
Rating Snapshot (65 reviews)
5 stars
45
4 stars
15
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
4
61 of 65(94%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Stories:
Customer Reviews for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Review 1 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
old v. new,
April 2, 2013
By: deaddrift
from Bristol,Tenn
"All of the CFO reels I have bought in the passed have never failed me, I dont know what has been change to them. But the proformance of my recent purchase was very poor! I had only taken this reel out once, and had to be returned for repaired twice and the problem still exist. The triditional clicking sound doesnt work and thus the reel feels tight and binding."
Share this review:
Review 2 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Awesome gift,
March 25, 2013
By: gato
from Yukon Canada
"I was so happy to receive such a nice gift. Aways wanted to have a nice and solid reel. This one is a combination of beauty, style, and quality. Im loving it."
Share this review:
Review 3 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Love the feel and "that' sound!,
February 7, 2013
By: FlybumMedia
from Cleveland, OH
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"When it comes to fly fishing, I can definitely be woo'ed by the nostalgia of the sport. Old reels, the sweet song they sing, the old traditional flies...they draw me. Well for me, the CFO hits that nostalgic spot. I looked at it for many years and finally decided that I needed it. It is just a gorgeous reel that has a beautiful click to it! It is most definitely set apart by it look and sound and as much as that appeals to me, the function has never been lacking! Mine was purchased many years ago and is often paired with what used to be the true "Trout Bum" rod in the superfine series...my 4wt. I also use it on my 2 wt for small trout both at home and abroad. I have had lots of great memories with that CFO singing the praise!"
Share this review:
Review 4 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
I love it.,
November 24, 2012
By: cherokeeshawnee
"I have had this reel for 2 years plus. I love it on my 1 wt. rod. It is a pleasure to have and to use."
Share this review:
Review 5 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Perfect Match,
November 5, 2012
By: ALANBRECK
from Perthshire, Scotland
"This reel is the perfect match for the Helios 8'6" 4# fly rod that is just right for upstream dry fly on the chalk streams of Hampshire and the fish holding shallow corners and bays of Highland lochs. Precision engineering, minimal weight and elegant, understated appearance contribute to my enjoyment of a day spent fishing. The efficient drag mechanism ensures the confident handling of hard fighting fish from 8ozs to 8lbs. A little beauty!"
Share this review:
Review 6 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Excellent Reel,
September 26, 2012
By: captjim
from Middletown, DE
"I just purchased this reel and paired it with my 6', 2 weight Superfine Touch rod and along with 2 weight Superfine fly line. Such perfect performance and balance. The reel performed flawlessly on my trip to NY Spring Brook. An excellent reel and well worth the price I paid for it"
Share this review:
Review 7 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Not Happy,
August 2, 2012
By: Firelands
from Avon Lake, Ohio
"I purchased a 5wt Superfine Touch rod and CFO reel about 1 month ago. I have been holding it and looking at it in my house and just finally got out to use it today. I have always been a big fan of Orvis merchandise. I have three Access rods with the Access reels. I am very pleased with those. I also have two BBS reels, and those work great too. My purchase of the CFO reel has not been enjoyable. I fished with it today for the first time, and the reel sounds and feels like the gears are grinding when I peel line out. It is not smooth at all. When I hooked a fish, the drag was not working very well either. I tried tightening the drag, but it felt very cheap. I did not expect this from a more expensive reel. The looks and the clicking sound are the only things I like about the reel"
Share this review:
Review 8 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
BOUGHT A 5-WT. 48-YEARS AGO,
February 25, 2012
By: Bob10
from South Florida
"48-years ago I bought a 5-wt. CFO and a 5-wt. rod. I've used it ever since and still do. It is a prized possession and when I move it goes first so I don't misplace or lose my gear and rod outfit. I've changed line 14-times over the years and the reel looks and works like the day I received it!"
Share this review:
Review 9 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Fly Fishing,
December 30, 2011
By: Sydney123
from USA
"My husband had this on his "wish" list for FOUR years! We've been strapped with college debt! I finally saved up enough money to purchase this for him for Christmas and he was so excited -- he didn't think this wish would ever come true! If only we could get the college debt paid off! We LOVE ALL ORVIS product & hope to afford more in the future!"
Share this review:
Review 10 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
True pleasure,
December 6, 2011
By: Bramble26
"A delightful addition to my Trout Bum. Tucked in my pocket and to hand on moorland walks. While the girlfriend reads a book I will be covering some wild brownies with a tiny dry.... Marvellous!!"
Share this review:
Review 11 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Great reel w/traditional look,
December 3, 2011
By: CWL14
from Greenfield, MA
"I recently received the CFO II with the 3 wt 7'6" SuperFine Touch rod.
The drag on this reel is smooth and very strong in relation to the size of the reel. I fish primarily small streams where I typically don't need much drag, but its nice to know I have the option and a drag I can trust with bigger fish.
Great traditional look and sound to the reel. the reel is very light also.
The only negative is just an aesthetic piece, the reel seems to scratch easily when rested on any hard surface. This does not bother me and has nothing to do with performance."
Share this review:
Review 12 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
CFO II Not for the Faint of Heart - Expert Reel,
July 18, 2011
By: JonniM
from Gold Canyon, Arizona
Reviewer Images
(click to see full-size image)
"Beautifully Crafted and a joy to fish with - for the first 5 fish. I took this reel for an epic fall weekend on New Mexico's San Juan with famed guide Andy Kim. Over 70 strikes and over 40 bows 13 inches or more one 22 inch bow and two browns over 22 inches. The reel is durable and the drag is consistent.
However, I do not recommended this reel for the casual fly fisher. Although drag is smooth and it protects light line, this pretty little thing just does not have enough resistance for a full day of hunting angry trout the will rip on the line of a moderately skilled angler. Your rod will do the lion share of the work on big runs.
This reel is perfect for small, less productive streams like the Roaring Fork or Oak Creek.
For more productive waters where the fish have some heft I would make use of the Battenkill series reels or the Access Reels.
Would I sell it or trade it in? No Way!"
However, I do not recommended this reel for the casual fly fisher. Although drag is smooth and it protects light line, this pretty little thing just does not have enough resistance for a full day of hunting angry trout the will rip on the line of a moderately skilled angler. Your rod will do the lion share of the work on big runs.
This reel is perfect for small, less productive streams like the Roaring Fork or Oak Creek.
For more productive waters where the fish have some heft I would make use of the Battenkill series reels or the Access Reels.
Would I sell it or trade it in? No Way!"
Share this review:
Review 13 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Really great,
June 17, 2011
By: FeatherFly
from Northern California
"I purchased the CFO III to go with my Adirondack 5 wt. and couldn't be happier. They are a match made in heaven and this reel offers top notch performance and technical precision. I really enjoy the classic sound and look of the reel also. Worth every penny!"
Share this review:
Review 14 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
REEL IS AWESOME,
June 6, 2011
By: JMMRKOLCA
from Washoe Valley, NV
"This reel is so, so smooth. The guy who said it sounds like gears grinding must have had something wrong with his. If you don't like this reel then you don't like fishing."
Share this review:
Review 15 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
May 6, 2011
By: runty
"second one Ive purchased, love this reel. looks great too"
Share this review:
Review 16 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Smooth operator,
April 1, 2011
By: tshall
from Missouri
Good Value:
5
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
5
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
"The CFO II is a fantastic reel. It's not quiet, but you don't want that in a finely tuned traditional reel. I use mine on a 4-weight light rod for trout, and it is a pleasure to behold. Nice and light, and beautiful. Step up to this reel!"
Share this review:
Review 17 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
The very New Year,
January 10, 2011
By: FlyUSMC03
from Greencastle, Pa
Good Value:
5
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
4
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
"It was Jan 1, 2011. It felt a little warmer than normal and with my CFO II 4wt line and my Superfine Trout bum we headed to Falling Springs in Chambersburg, Pa. I pulled in 5 trout that day in just a few hours. Great reel with no issues. I really think it complements the Superfine Trout Bum’s very well. I don’t think engineers could design a better reel for the Superfine series."
Share this review:
Review 18 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
CFO III,
November 12, 2010
By: Centurion6
from Kentucky, primarily fishing in tail waters.
Good Value:
1
/
5
Meets Expectations:
1
/
5
Features:
3
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
"Over the last 2 years, I have ordered dozens of products and several fly rods and reels from Orvis, so I was expecting the same high quality in this CFO III Fly Reel that I purchased to go with my Madison Bamboo Fly Rod. In fact, I even called and spoke with a Fly Fishing Specialist at Orvis, and he recommended this specific reel. So I decided to buy it along with backing and fly line. I was WRONG. While it sure does look handsome, unless you squeeze the thing together, it makes a rough, non-contact sort of wheezing as you reel it or strip line from it. Save your money and buy a less expensive reel that works and sounds like it's not grinding its gears all the time."
Share this review:
Review 19 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Classic,
September 28, 2010
By: JohnJA
from California
Good Value:
3
/
5
Meets Expectations:
4
/
5
Features:
4
/
5
Appearance:
5
/
5
"I picked up a CFO I on whim during last Springs promotion. I have several of the BBS reels, and I consider them an excellent bargain. I really don't need anything better because I use light weight rods and catch small trout.
That being said, there is something a little special about this reel. Maybe the look of it reminds me of the gear my grandfather showed me when I was a kid, or maybe its that the soft clicking it makes sounds like a fly reel should.
I certainly don't need such a quality reel, but sure is nice."
Share this review:
Review 20 for CFO Disc Drag Fly Fishing Reel
Overall Rating:
Nice,
May 10, 2010
By: troutKat
from Indiana
Good Value:
5
/
5
Meets Expectations:
5
/
5
Features:
5
/
5
Appearance:
4
/
5
"My Wife got me the CFO II reel and 8' superfine trout bum rod for X-mas. The season has been great. Both Rod and Reel preform very well. One small thing, the lettering (Orvis/CFOII) on the reel has flaked off."
Share this review:
