On The Fly Gear
October 2021
By Polly Dean
In development for more than two years, Bauer has created what began as a complex ground-breaking, but modern and double-anodized design, into their newest RVR reel. It comes in three weights, 2/3, 4/5 and 6/7, in right- or left-hand retrieve. Too complex to achieve on a conventional 3-Axis machine, Bauer sought out the newest 5-Axis equipment and achieved the result they desired.
The result speaks for itself. Bauer has raised the standard to claiming their newest reel having the “smoothest drag in the world” with a zero-backlash clutch. The RVR’s 5-Axis manufacturing is assembled by hand in Twin Bridges, Montana.
Internationally acclaimed angler Jeff Currier describes Bauer’s reels by saying, “Whether I’m fishing light tippets for huge spring creek trout or faced with stopping the speedsters of the salt, Bauer fly reels are the reel for me. The strikingly beautiful reels are corrosion resistant and have a fully sealed carbon fiber drag that’s smooth enough to cushion 5X, yet the stopping power to prevent a permit from reaching the reef. Best of all Bauer reels require no maintenance! Bauer fly reels are the most reliable fly reel I’ve ever fished.”
Other satisfied users of the new RVR have said, “The RVR is graceful and full of slowing power for those big fish runs. As a full-time fishing guide, I need equipment that performs flawlessly. Bauer reels do that. Hands down the best in the business.”
A veteran fly fisher added, “For those of you that may be on the fence, you need to trust me and take the plunge…you won’t regret it. It’s the best investment I’ve made when it comes to fly fishing. And thanks for the customer support along the way. Bauer deserves five out of five on this one.”
Bauer revolutionized the fly reel world in 1995 with a design that combined large arbor performance with an innovative yet simple “zero-backlash” drag clutch. With a background in race cars and precision technology, Jon Bauer had a different perspective on how a fly reel should work. By applying principals of basic physics, he came to an obvious conclusion: the best design for a direct drive fly reel was one with a large arbor spool that minimized the variance of moment arm effect. The result was a reel with vastly improved line handling and retrieval, as well as superior drag performance. Bauer reels are considered to be among the finest made and have earned a reputation among serious anglers and guides as the “Swiss watch of fly reels.”
For more information, visit the Bauer Fly Reel web page.
