Ross Evolution Size Question....

[FrankB2]

I stopped by an LL Bean last night, and they had Ross Evolution #3 reels
marked down to $153! I bought two, but had already bought a few when they
were marked down to $200. Here's the question: The #2 and #3 differ in weight by .2 oz. Would there be any reason not to use a #3 on an 8'6" 4wt?
It's certainly lighter than most other 4wt sized reels, but I don't want to look
like a goober....LOL!

BTW: The #2 Evo's were full price.

 

[mcnerney]

Frank

To me it would be more of how it balances on your rod. If it balances correctly then I'd say go for it. The weight difference isn't very much though. Sure sounds like you snagged a great buy!

Larry

 

[FrankB2]

Hi Larry,
It does balance with 100 yards of backing, and a few feet of line through
the tip top. Actually, it balances right at the winding check, so it's just
the 3.5" diameter. Sage's 4-5 large arbor reel is 3.5" in diameter, so.....

That price was crazy, and I believe all the LL Bean stores are doing the same
sale.

 

[GRN]

Hi Larry,
It does balance with 100 yards of backing, and a few feet of line through
the tip top. Actually, it balances right at the winding check, so it's just
the 3.5" diameter. Sage's 4-5 large arbor reel is 3.5" in diameter, so.....

That price was crazy, and I believe all the LL Bean stores are doing the same
sale.

If the Evo's are on sale, our store doesn't know it (I work for Bean part time)... Rythms are at about 50% right now because they were discontinued by Ross, but the Evo is current product with both Ross and Freeport/catalog.

What store were you in?

?????

 

[gjcordray]

Frank,

I know what you are saying about the size 3 Evos. I bought one last year for a really light 5 weight rod. It balanced really well, but it just felt really bulky. Maybe it's because I'm so used to the size 2 and smaller reels since I only fish for trout. I returned it for a size 2 and I am perfectly happy with the way it balances out - a bit rod heavy, but not bad.

I am going to be purchasing a new evolution for a 6 weight rod in about a month or two (once I have saved up enough money) and was considering a size 3. I would love to hear your thoughts if you keep the reels and fish them a while.

My gut is to agree with others - if it balances, use it. Especially for that price! However, I understand that if it "feels" big, it might drive you nuts. Let us all know.

 

[FrankB2]

I bought the Evo's at the Center Valley, PA store. They were marked down in red pen to $219, and everything was already marked down, was another 30% off! I thought it was a sale that all LL Bean stores were having....???

I used the Evo on a 9' 6wt today, and it balanced great. The reel itself is
really nice, and I love the light weight. I don't know if I'd pay full
price, however, but that's just because I'm cheap...LOL!

 

[GRN]

I bought the Evo's at the Center Valley, PA store. They were marked down in red pen to $219, and everything was already marked down, was another 30% off! I thought it was a sale that all LL Bean stores were having....???

Center Valley is a retail (not outlet) store... we are having a 'additional 30% off' sale that applies to things that have been discontinued by us or the manufacturer... the Ross Evo doesn't fall into that category. Hmmm... curious. Maybe it's a color issue, we only show the slate blue as a current product, are the reels you bought the black or copper color?

The #3 should feel great on a 6wt... I'm a big fan of the Evo and fish #2's on 4-5wts, and #1's on 2-3wts. My 6-7wts get older Ross Canyon #3's.

 

[ksbrowntrout2]

I use a Ross 1.5 evolution on my 4 weight outfit, i cant fit a ton of backing in the reel, but it sure is a light set up...Mine is the slate blue color

 

[FrankB2]

It's the slate blue model. The first salesman I spoke to was surprised to see
the reels marked down, but the second salesman knew about it. The second
salesman also knew that they were an additional 30% off. I bought some
Mustad dry fly hooks that had been marked down to $3.85, and the 30% off
that! Needless to say, I'm set with hooks for Adams now:wink:.

BTW...The second salesman scanned the #2 Evo's just to make sure they
weren't on sale, so it must be in the system somehow.

 

[GRN]

It's the slate blue model. The first salesman I spoke to was surprised to see
the reels marked down, but the second salesman knew about it. The second
salesman also knew that they were an additional 30% off. I bought some
Mustad dry fly hooks that had been marked down to $3.85, and the 30% off
that! Needless to say, I'm set with hooks for Adams now:wink:.

BTW...The second salesman scanned the #2 Evo's just to make sure they
weren't on sale, so it must be in the system somehow.

Yeah, we don't get it... I scanned them all and only the #3 reel came up, but not the spools. We figure it's a mistake... I bought them as a short term investment

 

[BigCliff]

I stopped by an LL Bean last night, and they had Ross Evolution #3 reels
marked down to $153! I bought two, but had already bought a few when they
were marked down to $200. Here's the question: The #2 and #3 differ in weight by .2 oz. Would there be any reason not to use a #3 on an 8'6" 4wt?
It's certainly lighter than most other 4wt sized reels, but I don't want to look
like a goober....LOL!

BTW: The #2 Evo's were full price.

My first reaction tot the thread title was: They're light. Go big.

I would still say this is right and there's no reason to be concerned about looking goofy. The only reason I can see to shy away from a big light reel is if its so large it overly rubs yer gut while playing a big fish with the rod butt against yer torso.

Then again if your torso isn't squishy like mine, it may not be an issue.

 

[FrankB2]

I think the 3 and the 3.5 sizes were on sale. Kind of odd that it was cheaper
to buy the whole reel, rather than just a spool.

One of the salesmen told me that a dentist bought ALL of the remaining
G. Loomis made LL. Bean rods when they were marked down to $70-something
last winter. He then listed them on ebay....