Galvan Torque Reels – The Elegant Workhorse
Ed. Note: Shane has been with Headhunters for about a year. He and his wife Kelly are here for the long haul. A former Henry’s Fork angler and employee Shane loves the Missouri. It has become his favorite river. Shane will be in the shop this season again with some weekend guiding. Say hello to Shane in the shop this summer.
Shane Wilson of Headhunters Fly Shop here with todays post.
While I am a self admitted minimalist when it comes to fishing and gear, I do have my all time fav products, particularly those that I feel are necessary when it comes to demanding situations. I first learned my lesson of having a reel with a reliable and high performing, but simple, drag system on the Henry’s Fork. It was on one of those explosive, weed diving Rainbows that immediately put you on your spool and the rest is up to you and your confidence. Not in your abilities; rather, in your gear. So, with that intro for my first blog HH post, here are my feelings on the Galvan Torque Reel.
I’m not going to bog you down with techy specs and engineering, but I will say that these reels have it all. Technology? Check out Galvan’s website. From the T6 aircraft grade aluminum, large arbor design, to the maintenance free Torque drag system…this reel is one you will pass down, And certainly get back from your buddy you leant it to 20 years ago it will still be working.
The quality aspect falls into the upper echelon of the reel market.
I think the lesson I learned was the start up performance once you find yourself in that big fish situation trying to get it on the reel on that frenzied first run; transitions easily into that fish on the drag situation. In today’s spectrum of low to high priced fishing gear I feel this reel falls into a middle ground price point. The quality aspect falls int the upper echelon of the reel market.
For all the spare spool guys out there, this reel doesn’t get any easier to switch out different lines sizes or types. Push a button. Pull the spool off. Replace with desired spool and it’s done. No finicky alignment involved.
End result: The Galvan Torque is the goto fly reel for me. Simple and Solid! The Galvan Torque will not let you down in those situations that demand something more. A true work horse with old school elegance.
Galvan says…
As the premier reel in the Galvan range, the Torque Series reels represent the culmination of a lifetime of fly-fishing and passion for reel design. Simply stated, it represents the very best of modern fly reel architecture. The Torque reel series was created because Boni wanted to create a revolutionary reel with a more substantial drag system than was presently available on the market. And it had to be sexy. Thus the Torque series reels were born.
The unique Torque reel, the fourth series created by Boni, was the first reel released with our Torque drag system, which is now employed in all of our reels. Its inception was in late 2002 with prototypes coming to life in 2003. After being tested, retested and modified, it was finally released to the public in 2004. It immediately won the 2004 Editor’s Choice in Fly Fish America and was ranked #3 in the recent Yellowstone Angler’s 8-wt reel shootout, beating a host of other reels in function and price (link). Its original style and unique porting has solidified Galvan’s reputation as a leading innovator in the industry.
The visually striking appearance of the Torque reels is a result of the unique cut-outs on the frame, spool, drag knob and reel foot. This design is not only aesthetic but also structural as it significantly reduces the weight of the reel while maintaining strength and increasing rigidity .The rounded rims on both spool and frame enhance durability to better withstand impact during extreme angling conditions.
At first glance, the hand is drawn to the reel and from the first crank of the contoured counter balanced spool, the reel’s quality is apparent. It is a combination of efficiency and simplicity driven by function. In this case, less is more and cost is no exception as Torque reels retail at half the price of reels in its class.
Torque Series reels are saltwater safe and will perform flawlessly under the harshest conditions. From remote alpine lakes to the saltwater flats, the highly ventilated spool and frame balance nicely with the lightest of today’s fly rods yet still compliment a modern big-game saltwater fly rod. The Torque is tough as nails and skillfully marries the technology of the future with the tradition of the past.
