REVIEW: Hobbs Creek Fly Reel, Fully Loaded HC2R-L6

The Chief's HC2R-L5 slightly used.

When the Chief and I started "upgrading" our equipment, we were going to purchase the under $20 Bass Pro Shops Power Plus Graphite Fly Rods - Model PPG8056-2 and just mount our cheap Martin reels on them. Somewhere along the way, one of the salesmen mentioned to Dad a deal being offered that included a Hobbs Creek fly reel loaded with backing, line and leader. You would actually save about $5 purchasing everything together and loaded instead of purchasing each separate and doing it yourself. Saved-labor and $5 off to boot meant this was a pretty fair deal as far as we were concerned, so we each bought one for $59.99, Dad a 5-wt. and me a 6-wt. (I'm still thinking bass).

The actual item we purchased was the HC2R-L6, but I have been unable to locate it on the Bass Pro Shops Site. As far as I can tell—I won't swear to it—the package includes an HC2R Hobbs Creek™ Large Arbor Fly Reel, 100 yards of 20 lb. White River Fly Shop® MAGIBRAID™ Flyline Backing (38-425-059-00), an 82-ft weight forward Hobbs Creek™ Fly Line (38-431-182-06), and I suspect a 5x 9-foot White River Tapered Leader (I didn't pay much attention, and through the use of multiple sections of tippet and a few snags, mine is now more of a knotted leader while Dad replaced his).

I am absolutely not qualified to comment on the backing. Nothing I've caught so far has required me to get that far down the line. The leader is inexpensive and does the job. It scores well in reviews and I have experienced no issues with it so far, even though that is the only brand I've purchased so far. I really cannot say much about the fly line except that it seems to be well-performing especially for the small amount of money spent and that it shoots well. So this review really focuses on the HC2R.

The reel assembly appears to be cast aluminum construction. It features ambidextrous capability, single-direction click-and-pawl adjustable drag, and a "large" arbor. "Large" is in quotes, because some more experienced people have noted that it is a smaller arbor than what one would expect in a large-arbor reel. It generally rates well with customers, with a few complaints about it's width. I guess I am inexperienced enough that the width doesn't bother me one whit. I have small hands, and have not found myself in a situation where the width of the reel impeded any aspect of my fishing.

I admit, for the price I paid, I did not expect much in the way of performance. I was wrong. As a novice I could tell this was a well-engineered and manufactured piece of equipment the first time I used it. The drag adjustment works well for me, although I've not found it necessary to adjust the drag while fighting or even use it to catch a fish. I really like the the soundless retrieval of line and it spools extremely smoothly.

My suggestion is that if you are looking for a value-priced reel that will hold up, consider this one. I don't think you will be disappointed as long as you keep your expectations reasonable.