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 Raybow |
Ross Reels History??? |
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Master Guide
Posts: 108 (09/13/08 17:47:46) |
I am a Ross Reel fan and am curious as to what reels were first manufacured and what they look like? I have not seen any old reels from the start of the
company and have not seen any on ebay and the such. I have five of their reels that I wouldn't trade for anything. They are reels that are not being
produced anymore. I don't understand when a company has a good thing, why stop??? Just my opinion.......
Ray.......................... |
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onemoredeer.clarksclassicfl... |
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Master Guide
Posts: 166 (09/13/08 18:37:41) |
Ray,
Ross has made (still do) some fine reels. The San Miguel is among the finest modern reels ever made, smooth as silk. The Cimarron was the workhorse of their earlier reels and still has a loyal following. As far as discontinuing well made reels of the not so distant past, they are following the industry as a whole. The trend of lighter rods (graphite) has been followed closely by reel manufacturers with lighter, heavily ported and skeletonized reels. Doug |
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WatercolorMan |
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Sport
Posts: 23 (09/14/08 03:05:52) |
The company started around 1975. The early reels I've seen had a solid spool with a set screw, very plain. There was also a reel with a spool that looked
looked some what like the San Miguel only less openings & larger openings. I'm sure someone has a photo. I think that the San Miguel (late 90's) is
one of the most beautiful spool designs ever done. It's both classic and modern at the same time. The Gunnison which came out in the 80's was there
first reel to gain international design award. I bought the G3 in 1988.
It's not like the old days. Hardy designed some of there reels and then sold them for 100 years with some design changes and we are still buying those same reels used or the retro version. Now it seems everyone is trying to keep a new model in the case at the local fly shop each year. I have bought and sold some of the Ross reels myself. It's a great company and I agree with Doug the San Miguel is as fine a reel as any. I had a #2 sweet and smooth. Alan |
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Rockthief |
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Master Guide
Posts: 846 (09/14/08 05:46:26) |
Once in awhile "The Ross Reel" shows up over at Clarke's Bamboo forum.
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gypsy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 308 (09/14/08 06:27:13) |
I've been wanting a Ross San Miguel 2 for quite awhile; they are just gorgeous and I've never heard a bad word said about them. Not so sure I'd buy
the more recent Ross reels. I have a Ross Evolution and the drag system is totally useless in sub freezing weather i.e free spools, no drag.
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onemoredeer.clarksclassicfl... |
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Master Guide
Posts: 168 (09/14/08 07:09:50) |
Ross San Miguel One
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Raybow |
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Master Guide
Posts: 109 (09/14/08 10:37:02) |
Thanx Doug, I had forgotten how traditional the San M. looked. I never got one as I thought they were to light duty for what I thought I needed but now I
regret not getting one. I do remember they were as pricy as an Able which is a brand that never atracted me, I guess because of the price.
I do believe all yall on the manufacturing based on trends as I was upset that they discontinued the Gunnison as I have three of them and I believe them to be nearly indestructible. I own one of the first Canyons which is my go to 5 weight reel, and a Colorado which is one of the nicest click pawl reels that was in modern day production that I had seen. Ray............ |
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 jgestar |
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Posts: 2716 (09/14/08 11:47:44) ezOP |
The originals were simply called The Ross Reel. They came in sizes RR1, RR2, RR3, and RR3.5. The earliest models
will be marked as made in Etna, CA. We used to have a post about them in the rod papers thread, but apparently the pictures got deleted. They came with solid
spools or an optional "daisy spool" with cutouts similar to the San Miguel. The spools were connected with a screw to a spindle that contained
sealed bearings. The finish was a matte black anodizing with the reel info engraved on the backplate. The drag was a Delrin button pushed against the
spindle. The reels were lightweight, simple, and rugged. The RR1 was just over 3 oz., but it held a DT5. So of course they are not made anymore. A little
later, Ross came out with a series of saltwater reels, the S1, S2, and S3. The reels were bigger and the design was fatter looking. The S reels had a
seriously large drum brake on the spindle with some serious stopping power.
Ross Reels have been good stuff over the years. To be honest, I like the Abels a little better if you can find them for a nice price. But that is because I'm a sucker for Abel's deep black anodizing. Tom |
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mdwwhw |
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Master Guide
Posts: 296 (09/14/08 13:23:28) |
I have some of their more recent reels and can't fault them--although fishing in below freezing temperatures just doesn't happen around here, I can
testify that they function flawlessly with temperatures over 100. In fact, rather better than I do.
Good reel, good price, made in the USA. |
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CrustyBugger |
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Master Guide
Posts: 29 (09/14/08 14:24:25) |
I used to like Ross' quite a bit. I have a Ross Reel RR2, two Gunnison G2's and lot's of extra spools, and a San Miguel. I have no desire
whatsoever to buy one of their newer, completely sealed designs that you can't lubricate, fix, look at, appreciate, or whatever. I think Ross may have went
this way to make a cheaper reel and cut down on reels being sent back for repair from goofs who screwed their reels up. If it happens, all they need to do is
replace it. I understand the marketing hype and reasoning behind the completely sealed design. But sealed designs can be made which still allow you to open up
the reel and repair it. I also know that Ross says their reels are not supposed to be lubricated, but Ross said that about the G2's and San Miguel's
too, but lubricated properly, they DO work better. The new ones are also not foolproof. They are meant for people who don't, don't want to, can't,
or shouldn't open up a reel and work on it. They are prone to problems if it is cold, for one. I think Ross is full of good people who support their reels
with decent warranties but if a reel goes bad in the field, you can't repair it on the spot. I wouldn't spend good money on a new Ross Reel. I think
they are very overpriced for what you get now. I don't think you should give me one either because it won't get used or I'll just give it away. One
thing I've never appreciated about many Ross Reels is their judicious use of plastic. For instance, G2 knob skirts split on occasion. And the plastic
clickers stink. Please take note that these are just the ramblings of an opinionated CrustyBugger.
CrustyBugger |
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bulldog1935 |
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Posts: 3604 (09/14/08 18:33:53) Administrator |
I could have bought one of the last Ross Etna reels new in 1990 but, like a dummy, I bought a Gunnison instead.
The Gunnison has been a perfectly functioning, indestructible and completely unloveable reel. Would never get rid of the Gunnison, but with 20-20 hindsight, I wish I had bought the other. |
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CrustyBugger |
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Master Guide
Posts: 30 (09/14/08 18:52:34) |
Me too, Bulldog. I've got an RR2 but sure wish it was one of the originals.
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glassbender |
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Sport
Posts: 18 (09/16/08 18:33:34) |
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Riffling Hitch |
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Master Guide
Posts: 426 (12/07/08 23:28:03) |
Here is the paperwork for the Ross Reel and a couple of photos of them. I think they look great on glass. I also have the san miguel three and think this is
one of the nicest reels I own. I like the san miguel in the three and the Ross in the RR-1 the best. I also own the colorado and like that on also.
Russell 
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mvinsel |
Ross & Etna | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 293 (12/08/08 14:28:58) |
I've admired Ross reels since the late seventies and enjoyed them since the early eighties. When Eddie Bauer closed the flyfishing section of their San
Francisco store around 1982 I was able to afford an Etna 3.5 at $75, which was half price at the time. Now I have two of the RR2 with the daisy cutouts (shown
below), and two RR 3.5 with solid spools. The simple silent drag works the same reeling in as going out, so there is no change needed to convert right to
left. The sealed bearings and anodizing seem to be fine forever, even in salt. I've had to have a few drag tension springs replaced - when these go the
drag is "all or nothing". I've had once where the spool retaining screw came loose, on a Thomson River steelhead all of a sudden the reel was
freewheeling, and I had to borrow a penny from a buddy to secure it back. I bought my newest RR2 around 1995, I think there were closing them out then.
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mvinsel |
Yowsa | ||
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Master Guide
Posts: 294 (12/08/08 14:35:30) |
Russell - thanks for posting the brochure.
We forgot to mention "The Ross Rag" for polishing them that came with these early ones - these still work. Your picture reminded me of another thing I like- the whirring throb from lack of a counterbalance when you have a fish that really tears line out - looks like you are experienced in that! -Vinnie in Juneau |
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Cameron |
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Posts: 2831 (12/08/08 14:36:47)
Administrator &
Chat Room Host |
Riffling Hitch...mvinsel...damn...those photos deserve their own thread outside of the "Reel Papers" thread. Beautiful reels and fish taken while
fishing them.
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gypsy |
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Master Guide
Posts: 363 (12/08/08 16:12:59) |
Beautiful just beautiful!!
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wacokid54 |
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Master Guide
Posts: 354 (12/08/08 16:53:40) |
With a gift certificate from my wife to help ease the $$ pain, years ago I bought a Ross Cimmaron for my 5 wt. graphite rod. It replaced a Pflueger Medalist
1494 1/2. I now have 2 extra spools, and that Ross reel has brought in a lot of trout. I have sent it back to Ross one time for service, and the experience
was flawless. They make great stuff. I gots to say, that after I work over some reels and spools this winter, and build the rod I think I am going to build,
that Cimmaron will get a lot less use next year. I am having so much fun with the Medalists!
wacokid54 |
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scud dog |
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Master Guide
Posts: 1104 (12/08/08 17:54:20) |
I had the C-1 (matte black/1st. gen.); G-2 + spools; EV-1 and EV-2. I still use a CO-3. IMO Ross makes some good reels and backs them up with exceptional
service. I have heard some bad reviews on their imported reels. Well, sold the C-1 and Evolutions (which are wonderful until they free spool). I threw away the
Gunnison and spools along with my garbage from my truck bed. Ouch! The CO-3 is a good value. I agree somewhat with Tom. He likes Abels a little better. I like
them a LOT better. One thing about reels though, weight and the taper of the reel foot will often dictate having more than one brand/design in the arsenal.
Seems to me, disc drags can be risky business. I'm sure if I fished lots of musky and bones I'd view it differently. I don't so I have a Gunnison
for big water. I've gone back to click-pawl for trout.
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Raybow |
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Master Guide
Posts: 239 (12/31/08 20:56:11) |
Sorry for the late response as I forgot I had posted this. I like my G's but I won't buy anymore Ross reals. I had called them and asked them why to
discontinue a good product? ( Scuddog thats my opinion
........ They said that the market had moved the the company different directions. I assume they had
to keep up with the masses. Thats Buisness......From some reliable sources though I have been told the Abel's wouldn't hold up in the fine sands in the
Keys compared with the Ross reals. Oh well, here in 50 years my Ross's will be on the vintage list so my kids will have some garage sale wares  .........
Ray....... |
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