Fishing Frenzy

Fly fishing is a particular passion of mine. Matching wits with wily trout and salmon is something I enjoy tremendously. Casting across a fast-running stream, I'm always full of apprehension -- will the fish strike? Will I be able to win the fight? Although I usually do win, I'm very likely to return the fish to the water, since it's the sport, not the eating, that's important to me. On "fishing days," I relish the ritual of selecting and packing up the right combination of fly fishing tackle for the day's excursion. One piece of gear I find myself reaching for quite often is my Loop Opti Speedrunner reel. Read on to find out why it's a favourite of mine.

Fly Fishing Tackle: Key Features of the Loop Opti Speedrunner Reel

I find my Speedrunner to be a good choice when I'm using a light double-hand rod or a single-hand rod that's a bit heavier. The reel has an inset handle and extra diameter for speedsters. Impressed with the design and quality of the Speedrunner, I did a bit of research. What I discovered is that the reel is designed and manufactured in Sweden, and has a number of precision components crafted in that country as well. The housing and spool are accurately machined to high tolerances from aircraft-grade aluminium. Other components are made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel and anodised aluminium. The anodised finish increases the aluminium's surface hardness, making it exceptionally durable. All these features converge in a reel that's supremely rugged, yet performs superbly.

Fly Fishing Tackle: Further Information on the Loop Opti Speedrunner Reel

While the price of this reel is quite expensive at £400, you get your money's worth from it. Its drag system's axial function employs 2 plates making it virtually perfect. The pioneering braking substance is put together from carbon matrix; also this reel is manufactured to a precision tolerance that is 0.02mm. This reel has tolerated painstaking tests in order to ensure that it will bear severe temperatures and pressures. Furthermore, I feel that the progressive brake knob is unproblematic to clutch. You can easily swap out the V-shaped spool. The Opti Speedrunner can support 200 yards of 30lb test line. The width is 1-3/8 inches while the diameter is 5-1/2 inches. It weighs in at 7-1/2 ounces.

Fly Fishing Tackle: About Loop

Founded in Sweden in 1979 by two fly fishing enthusiasts, Christer Sjoberg and Tony Karpestam, Loop always has had at its centre a deep love of fly fishing. The company's fly fishing tackleamply reflects that love, along with Christer's and Tony's drive to share it with anglers all over the world. Today, Loop "designs, develops and manages every manufacturing process of their gear themselves. All our products were designed and built to last and function in the world's toughest conditions and to last for season after season. Experience, enthusiasm and unbreakable will has led us to only put the Loop brand on the best products". Need I say more?

With no reservations, I advise the Loop Opti Speedrunner reel.