Abel: The Art of Reel Engineering
Abel is a premium American brand, renowned for crafting some of the world's most luxurious and functional fly reels and fishing accessories. With a legacy established in 1980 from a precision aerospace machine shop in Montrose, Colorado, Abel's foundation is built on an uncompromising commitment to quality, innovation, and performance. For decades, Abel has supplied gear to the world’s top guides and fishing lodges, earning more industry design awards and IGFA world records than any other fly tackle manufacturer.
The Abel Story
The roots of Abel were planted in 1980 as a precision aerospace machine shop. In 1988, the Abel brand was officially born, quickly earning a reputation for making gear that combined artistic design with robust engineering. Inspired by the rugged landscape of the Rocky Mountains, the company's manufacturing facility and research lab in Montrose, Colorado, became the crucible for innovation. By 1995, the Super Series reel was released, laying the groundwork for an iconic product that would become a favorite of fly anglers across the globe. Abel's dedication to quality is evident in their in house manufacturing and custom anodising, allowing them to transform concepts into stunning, high performance tackle.
The Abel Advantage
Choosing an Abel reel means acquiring a tool that stands at the pinnacle of design and function, providing a distinct advantage on the water.
Uncompromising Quality: Every Abel reel is fully machined from a single piece of cold finished aerospace grade aluminium. This process results in a product of exceptional strength and durability that is also remarkably lightweight.
Flawless Drag Performance: Abel is renowned for its smooth, sealed cork drag system. This design provides low start up inertia and a wide, powerful range of resistance, offering precise control whether protecting light tippets or stopping hard running fish.
Custom Anodised Finishes: With their own in house anodising shop, Abel offers a vast palette of colours and unique artistic finishes. These hard anodised surfaces provide stunning aesthetics, incredible durability, and superior corrosion resistance.
American-Made Craftsmanship: Every Abel reel is proudly designed, machined, and assembled in their Montrose, Colorado facility. This allows for rigorous quality control and ensures each reel reflects the highest standards of American made craftsmanship.
Abel Technology: Precision is Every Component
Abel's reputation for reel excellence is underpinned by a suite of proprietary technologies and a commitment to using the highest quality materials.
Machined Aluminium Construction: All Abel reels are machined from a single block of aerospace grade aluminium, ensuring a unibody construction that is both strong and lightweight. This process removes all unnecessary weight while maintaining the structural integrity of the reel.
Sealed Cork Drag System: Abel's drag systems utilise a proprietary cork material, a design that is famous for its smoothness, consistency, and a low start up inertia that protects tippets from snapping under a fish's initial run. This system is often sealed to protect it from the elements, ensuring reliable performance in wet or sandy conditions.
In-House Anodising: Abel's in-house anodising shop is a unique feature. Anodising is not just for colour; it's an electro chemical process that creates a thick, hard, corrosion resistant coating on the aluminium. This ensures the reel will maintain its finish and integrity for years.
Precision Machining: The precision of Abel’s machining ensures every part fits together flawlessly, from the handle to the frame. This attention to detail results in a reel with no wobble, no play, and a buttery smooth feel.
FAQs
What makes Abel reels so expensive? The cost of Abel reels is a reflection of their materials and manufacturing process. They are fully machined from aerospace grade aluminium in the USA, feature a proprietary drag system, and are hand finished with durable, custom anodising. This commitment to quality and in house craftsmanship results in a premium product built to last a lifetime.
How should I maintain my Abel reel? For general maintenance, simply rinse your reel with fresh water after each use, especially after saltwater exposure. No special lubrication is needed for the drag, but a light cleaning of the drag system with a soft cloth and the recommended grease or oil may be required periodically for non-sealed drags.
What is a cork drag and why is it so special? A cork drag is valued for its low start up inertia and incredibly smooth performance. This means the drag engages without a sudden jolt, protecting your tippet. It provides a wide range of adjustment from a light setting to powerful braking for big fish.
Does Abel repair reels that are damaged? Yes, even if the damage is not covered under warranty (e.g., accidental damage), Abel has a well regarded repair service that can often fix a damaged reel for a reasonable fee.
Warranty Information
Abel provides a lifetime limited warranty to the original owner. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship, offering repair or replacement at Abel's discretion. It is non-transferable. The warranty does not cover damage from misuse, abuse, neglect, accidental damage, or normal wear and tear. If purchased from us, Angling Active will assist with your warranty claim by assessing the product and liaising with the manufacturer.
