Special edition fly reels are one of those pieces of gear that appeals to almost every fly angler. We are, after all, easy prey for pretty things. Whether it’s a perfectly tied Atlantic salmon fly, a finely crafted bamboo fly rod, or a perfectly machined reel adorned with hand-painted artwork or an artistic engraving, there’s no denying that aesthetics matter to most fly fishers. Yet, limited edition reels have long been out of reach for many of us, often requiring would-be buyers to saddle up to the bar and swallow a four-figure price tag to walk out the door with one. Thanks to Redington’s new limited edition GRANDE Artist Series, that appears to no longer be the case.
Redington’s raison d’être, some might say, is bucking well-established price trends in the industry. Whether that’s offering an accolade-smothered rod like the Redington Classic Trout for under $200 or offering a high-performance saltwater-friendly fly reel for $300, the Bainbridge Island-based gear maker has long been focused on offering anglers a big bang for their buck. The GRANDE has fit squarely into that mold since it debuted back in 2018, offering reliable big fish fighting chops in a fully CNC machined, sealed-drag package. The reel isn’t alone in its class — it’s joined by a handful of priced-right offerings from other reel makers — but its new limited edition Artist Series offerings may help set it apart from the pack.
The series features two all-new variants, both the product of Redington’s partnership with Seattle-based artist Alana Louise, whose work has been featured by a long list of brands such as Patagonia, YETI, Lee Jeans, Sub Pop Records, Howler Brothers, and many more.
The release also features two new colorways for the GRANDE. The new 7/8/9 model in Seafoam Green features a panel of bonefish artwork from Louise, while the 9/10/11 in Storm Grey is adorned with tarpon artwork.
The most notable aspect of these limited edition Artist Series GRANDE reels however, in keeping with the theme, is their price tag. Both models are marked up only $50 from their standard variant counterparts — a far cry from the $500 or larger upcharges typical of special edition or artists series reels found elsewhere in the industry.
The GRANDE has been a stellar performer since we first fished and reviewed it almost 7 years ago, and it continues to prove itself on skiffs, flats, steelhead runs and the like the world over. This new edition features the same high quality machining and the same monster drag package — only now, it’s does it all with a bit more panache.
The new Redington GRANDE Artist Series is available immediately from Redington authorized dealers. The bonefish model retails for $379, while the tarpon model can be had for $429.
Comments