Specifications
• Models:
3/4,
5/6,
7/8
• Weight: 4.3 oz. (3/4), 4.9 oz. (5/6), 6.0 oz. (7/8)
• Classic Click and Pawl Drag System
• Machined and Anodized Bar Stock Aluminum
• Easy and Quick Spool Interchange
• Cageless reel frame with exposed palming rim
• Retail Cost: $199
Red Truck Diesel Fly Reels are now available.
February 1, 2011 (San Francisco, CA): Old-school anglers take note. With the growing popularity of Red Truck’s proven Diesel Series of fly rods, Red Truck raises the bar again with its traditional series of Red Truck Diesel fly reels.
Old meets new: Fully-machined from bar-stock, aircraft-grade aluminum, then anodized for a long life of use, these traditionally-styled fly reels are anticipating your next fishing trip. The rim-mounted drag adjustment knob awaits your fingers to fine tune the “click and pawl” drag system. The exposed palming rim is there for you when added drag pressure becomes necessary. Classic porting reduces reel weight and provides that vintage look. The sweet sound of the click and pawl drag will announce “fish on.” A removable brass line guard reduces line wear, while adding to that classic look. Each reel comes in a handsome leather-capped, padded reel pouch.
Read the full press release.
When did fly reels stop looking and sounding like fly reels?
It’s not to say that we at Red Truck don’t like or respect the
progression of fly reel design. It’s just that somewhere along the
way, we feel some reel manufacturers have lost a connection to the
past, instead focusing on over engineering a fly reel to justify its
price. Fishing a fly reel – one that looks and sounds like your grand
daddy’s reel – connects you, as an angler, to a more carefree time when
fly fishing was simple and fun.
At Red Truck, our goal is to make fly fishing fun again.
The Red Truck Diesel fly reel was born from a straightforward concept,
“combine vintage cosmetics with contemporary performance.”
We started our design process by searching for our favorite fly reel
from the past. We reviewed reels by manufacturers from around the
world, some no longer in business and some from present-day brands.
Our search resulted in two favorite fly reel models. Each had design
and functional qualities we at Red Truck liked. Our decision at that
point was to
combine the best characteristics from these two reels into one great fly fishing reel. The Red Truck Diesel was born.
For the Diesel fly reels to reflect our vision of a traditional fly
reel, it first had to look like one. For this, we focused on two
aspects, the
porting pattern of the spool and the
matte anodize
of the reel. We designed our porting pattern (the arrangement of holes
in the spool) after reviewing many vintage fly reel samples. Our
porting design is visually simple, but still very classic. Of course,
our porting also reduces the weight of the fly reel and allows for the
fly line and backing to dry faster after a day on the water.
For our Diesel fly reel’s finish, we settled on an
anodized matte gray finish with polished silver accents.
The resulting Diesel fly reel’s finish speaks to the fact that a fly
reel should first and foremost be a functional tool, nothing too
flashy…but it still should have enough flair for that occasional
admiring glance while fishing. On the water, our Diesel’s matte finish
also keeps
reel-flash to a minimum, which is always important
when chasing wily fish. Not only do our Diesel fly reels perfectly
complement our Red Truck Diesel fly rods, they look great on just about
every other brand, too.
By reviewing traditional fly reel dimensions and line capacities, we found that
it was time for an update. You’ll notice that our Diesel fly reels are
larger in diameter and thinner in width than vintage fly reels. The result of our efforts is a classic appearing fly reel
with large-arbor performance.
Although our fly reels are standard arbor, in effect they are actually
large arbor in function. Instead of removing crucial backing capacity
from the center of the spool, we just build up the “arbor” with
backing.
Now you have the best of all worlds…large-arbor
performance (faster line pickup, less line coiling and a more
consistent drag setting) with more than ample backing, in a
traditional-looking reel.
Click, acoustics, noise…however you define it, the sound created from a
fly reel with a running fish is music to Red Truck’s ears. We felt it
so important that we struggled to finely tune the sound of our
Diesel’s click and pawl drag system.
We all knew we had the right configuration when the Red Truck gang
smiled during a sound test. Truth is, we were all imagining the
silence of a trout stream being awakened by our Diesel reel announcing,
“fish on.” This sweet music is created by our adjustable click and
pawl drag system, which unlike many classic fly reels is easily
converted to left or right hand retrieve. The drag control knob is
classically positioned on the reels frame for easy access, ensuring you
always have the proper drag setting. But we didn’t overlook
contemporary advancements, like an exposed palming rim, used to add
more drag pressure during a grand fish fight.
Next we searched the world for the
best reel manufacturer.
A company who already crafts fly reels for some of the biggest names in
the fly fishing industry. We desired a facility with
talented engineers and
craftsmen who know how to leverage current
technology, advanced materials and machines
which result in the best fly reels presently available. We found them
in South Korea and after much romancing they agreed to partner with us
on our fly reel project.
Of course our Diesel fly reel is
fully machined from aircraft-grade aluminum.
Unlike cast or molded fly reels, a machined fly reel has a higher
tolerance to abuse, allowing for an extended life of fishing.
Machining also creates greater structural integrity. With this
stronger reel, we can remove more material from the reel, reducing
weight and offering even greater fishing function. Unlike classic fly
reels, we removed the reel frame’s cage. This contemporary frame
modification not only results in a lighter reel, it also makes for
easier spool changes or line/leader wrangling, when the need arises.
Changing spools and accessing your line is a snap.
Of course we didn’t neglect the extra design features too. We even added a
line guard
at the base of the reel frame, which reduces line wear and can be
easily repositioned for either right or left hand retrieve. A polished
silver
counter-balance weight (opposite the handle) ensures
smooth operation when reeling line in or on a hot fish run. And of
course you’ll be proud to place your Diesel fly reel back into its
classic reel pouch for safe storage.
Back to Diesel Reels Home.
PRO REVIEW – Ben Paull
The word. . .
The new Red Truck Diesel Series reels were born straight from the honest, function-forward design philosophy we have come to expect from the boys at Red Truck. With a classic look reminiscent of the trusty click-and-pawls of yesteryear, these reels are built to stand the test of decades on the water. The Diesel Series reels have all of the aesthetic and functional features that one could want in a freshwater reel, without any of the hyped up finishes and Formula-1 drag systems that are, simply, overkill for trout and steelhead. Now, anglers looking for a classic style reel will no longer have to empty their bank accounts for a vintage Hardy. The Diesel reels allow anyone to enjoy that same screaming sound and timeless style, all on a guide’s budget. Red Truck’s Diesel Series reels show respect for the past while creating a legacy of their own.
Features. . .
The Diesel Series reels are equipped with a proven, click-and-pawl drag system that has a nice and loud in and out-going click, and easily converts from left to right hand retrieve. They also have a palming rim to apply added pressure when that hot summer steelhead takes off on a screaming run. Precision-machined from anodized aluminum, the Diesel Series reels are built to resist both scratches and corrosion, so they will look just as pretty in 20 years as they do today.
Fit and Finish. . .
• Fully machined anodized aluminum construction
• Machined brass line guard
• Click and pawl drag system with exposed palming rim
• Tight, solid, and lightweight
• Leather and cotton-weave zippered reel case
• Limited lifetime warranty
Reliability and Durability. . .
All Red Truck rods and reels are built to withstand the test of time in the field, and the Diesel Series Reels are just about as bullet-proof as freshwater reels come. The proven, click-and-pawl drag system is super low maintenance, and will still sing loud and clear when you hand it down to your grandchildren. Plus, should an issue arise, all Diesel reels are backed by Red Truck’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Overall Rating. . .
PROS – Built with a loud outgoing and incoming click-and-pawl drag, and machined to ultra-tight tolerances in a timeless, classic aesthetic that will endure decades fishing abuse.
CONS – They don’t make a 9/10 size Diesel!
BOTTOM LINE – If you’re looking for a series of reels that will perform day in and day out, whether you are facing feisty golden trout, summer steelhead, or anything in between, the Red Truck Diesel Series is it.
Reviewer. . .
I grew up in Washington, fishing for trout and steelhead on the many waters of the region. As I grew up, I became more focused on fishing for steelhead, and swinging a fly through a glassy tail-out is probably my favorite thing in the world. When it comes to fly fishing reels, I fish reels that I can count on outlasting my days on the river. I’ve never understood why anyone would need trout and steelhead reels with aerospace-engineered drag systems, and, to me, there is no better sound in the world than the roar of a classic click-and-pawl. The Diesel Series reels have all the features I need and enjoy in a fly reel, without any unnecessary hype. Pick one up for yourself and I’m sure you’ll feel the same way. I'll see you on the water.
-Ben Paull
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