Ross Animas Fly Reel
Kirk Deeter
October 14, 2024
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Everyone values fly reels for different reasons. For some, it’s all about looks. For others, it’s the drag system. Others just want something to spool their line on, and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. Some care about “Made in America” and others don’t.
Here’s where I stand:
I don’t think anyone should feel compelled to spend more than $400 to get a perfectly functional reel that should last a lifetime and work just fine in any trout fishing situation anywhere in the world.
I don’t think a drag system–on a trout reel–has to stop a charging elephant. But I do like easily-adjustable drags. I think disc-drags make fish fighting easier than click-pawls. A nice sounding reel is a bonus.
I like American-made products, and over the years, my American reels have performed admirably and held up best.
Given those parameters, I think the Animas reel is probably the best overall (value) model Ross Reels makes, and the Animas is arguably the best disc-drag reel you can buy from any company for under $400.
I fish the model 4/5 for 4- and 5-weight lines, which costs $385, and a spare spool is $193. The weight (minus backing and line) is a little over 4 ounces; the diameter is 3.25-inches; the spool width is about an inch.
The Animas has a bell-shaped arbor, which you’ll notice collects backing and line and naturally disperses it, coming and going. That matters when you’re spooling up, but more so when you’re fighting fish. The reel also has a “gripper” canvas handle that expands and gets tackier when wet, which makes a positive difference when it matters (fighting fish).
The Animas is also plenty sturdy, having the ability to take months-long fishing and abuse in the boat without a lot of fuss or maintenance.
In terms of startup inertia (no hiccups when that fish grabs the fly and starts peeling line), the reel’s drag is incredibly smooth and consistent. The drag knob could not be easier to adjust, but it’s also not easy to knock out of whack (which is good).
I’d say other factors like switching spools, converting left-to-right, and so forth, are all simply adequate. I’d prefer a button or screw to detach the spool from the frame, and with the Animas you just need to grab and pull apart–admittedly simple, but awkward for some.
The bonus, to me, is that I like how the reel sounds when a trout is ripping away line–not too loud, not too subdued, with one pitch cranking in and another going out. For some people, that matters none, and for others, there’s no sweeter music.
If you care about “Made in America,” Ross Reels are built in Montrose, Colorado.
Pros
Reliable sealed drag–easy to adjust, and not overkill.
Great startup inertia and smooth performance.
Fairly priced.
Picks up fly line evenly, and isn’t prone to creating memory issues.
Cons
Not always easy to pop the spool.
The Ross logo on the drag adjustment knob is a bit gaudy.
Small phillips head screwdriver required to convert from left-to-right.
$385 is at the top of the “bargain” disc-drag price range.
This is all the trout reel you’ll ever need, and it costs less than $400. Granted, there are prettier reels out there. There are reels that purr louder and more distinctively. And everyone has their own preferences when it comes to converting left-to-right, popping and exchanging spools and general maintenance.
But for sheer functionality, in an American-made package, for trout or other freshwater fish specifically, you’re not going to do better than the Animas. Some would argue there are equals, but nothing, in my opinion, is clearly better.
- Price: $385
- Sizes: 4/5, 5/6, 7/8 (line weights)
- Weight: 4.1 ounces, 4.4 ounces, 4.7 ounces
- Colors: Matte Black, Platinum, Matte Olive
- Drag: Composite disc-drag with stainless steel interface
- Handle: Machined canvas phenolic handle (Updated aesthetic, lower profile, increased grip)
- Arbor: Large (3.25-inch diameter, fast retrieval, educed line memory)
- Warranty: Ross Reels warranty
“Ross Reels® branded fly reels purchased through an Authorized Dealer are covered by a limited lifetime warranty for as long as the product is on the market. This limited lifetime warranty only applies to the original owner and is not transferable. This limited lifetime warranty is limited to repair or replacement of the product only, and does not cover direct, indirect, consequential, incidental or any other type of damage resulting from the use of the product.”
Likely buyers
The practical angler who wants function and performance, but doesn’t want to break the bank or make an artistic statement with a reel. Granted, you can be upsold on Animas models that carry unique designs and benefit certain causes, but you can decide if the extra money is worth it.
Conclusion
This is the kind of reel that can play any role in your gear roster. It’s your primary trout reel. It’s a backup to the slicker reel you paid more for. It’s the reel you give as a present to your daughter or son–the reel to last a lifetime. It’s the reel you buy for yourself because you just got a new rod and don’t want to swap reels back and forth. It’s the reel that, if you’ve been saving up to get a “classic” with a disc-drag, you can feel good about making a smart choice. You can hang it on any rod, and it will never be outclassed, nor will it be an overstatement.
“All you really need” is often overused, and yet also underappreciated. But in this case, it’s a deserved, appropriate compliment. “All you really want” is, of course, an entirely different ballgame. For the angler who is able to reconcile both, the Animas is hard to beat.
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