Teton Fly Reels appeared on the scene in 1996, offering moderately priced, machined reels that have so far managed to stand up to the rigors of a variety of saltwater situations, from striped bass to bonefish.
The original series of reels was comprised of a Model #3 rated at a WF-3 with 100 yards of 12-pound-test backing, a #5 at a WF-6 with 160 yards of 20-pound-test and a #7 at a WF-8 with 250 yards of 20-pound-test backing.
Though it had potential, the #7 was still on the small side for most saltwater applications, so Teton soon followed up with a Model #9-11 rated at a WF-11 with 200 yards of 30-pound-test. With that kind of capacity, the #9 is also suited for full line weights from 9 through 11 and shooting tapers up to about a 12 or 13 weight.
Teton then added two new models, bringing the series to a total of six reels.
The new Teton Spey is obviously intended for long, two-handed salmon fly rods as its name and line capacity rating of a 12-weight Double-taper with 300 yards of 30-pound-test backing suggests, but with an apparent nod to saltwater anglers, Teton sub-titles the Spey as the Model #12.
Yes. It's a large reel with a 4.5-inch diameter, but it weighs only 8.1 ounces, so it may find it's way on the beach this fall as Nor'east Saltwater fly rodders get the yen to pack heavier lines in order to cast bigger fly patterns and it also may find it's way offshore for school tuna. So far, Teton drags have proven to be very sound for the price which won't exactly knock your bank account for loop. The manufacturer's suggested retail tag for the Model 12 is $265. Still, it comes with Teton's Unlimited Lifetime Warranty.
Teton's slogan is We make it simple. Simple is beautiful! There is only one moving part in the drag system.
The second new entry is a large arbor spool, the 9-11LA, which fits the standard Model #9-11 reel frame. As with all large-arbor designs, the idea to is to enable anglers to retrieve more line per crank, but the compromise is a slightly lower backing capacity than the standard 9-11 spool. The 9-11LA is rated at a WF-11 with 200 yards of 20-pound-test.
For more information, stop by a Teton dealer or contact the company, Teton Fly Reels, at 924 Church Hill Road, San Andreas, California 95249 (Telephone: 1-800-831-0855; Fax: 209-754-4716.)