The Evo and Evo LT have the same drag system. They changed out the plastic parts on the drag knob, and the frame and spool design. The last two
are fine, but will not hold as much line and backing as the oold Evo. I went with Evo LT #3's for my 4 and 5wt lines, and that was just right. I did have an Evo LT #2, but thought that was too small for even a 4wt. It looks good until you put it into action: quick winding of line back onto spool especially. The only thing I didn't like with the Evo LT was that the reel seat on my 4wt rod was able to cut into the reel's foot a tiny bit. That never happened with the original Evo's. I don't know if they used a softer alloy, or if the foot's profile allowed the reel seat to clamp down harder on the foot. Both Evo's are dandy performers, but the Evo LT is
MILES ahead in appearance. The Evo LT looks smaller in the same diameter as the old Evo, with the original Evo having a more visible profile (despite the 180 holes drilled into it
).
P.S. I read someone's comment on Cabelas review of the original Evo, and they said the plastic drag knob looked like something from a Happ Meal. I couldn't shake that image from my mind, and bought the Evo LT's.
---------- Post added at 01:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:54 PM ----------
Here's a pic of the old and new Evo's on the same rod. Both are #3 on a 5wt rod (3.5" diameter):
Evo LT:
Original Evo (Some may have seen this pic before
:
I did have a Rhythm 1.5 on a 4wt rod for quite some time. It worked out nicely, but you'd never get the same amount of space with the Evo LT 1.5 reel.