Galvan Torque Fly Fishing Reels

Fly Reel Review

When Less is More, the Galvan Torque Large Arbor Fly Reel (continued)

Retrieving: During our tests the drag handled all the fish I caught other than steelhead where I used a combination of the drag and palming of the spool. The Torque palms better than any other fly reel I have fished to date thanks to ergonomically shaped rim edges that surround the spool. The rounded edge glides over your palm and it is easy to apply just the right amount of friction to keep fish on.

One touch of the button releases the spool

Drag: Many fly reels make use of cork drags, and while I love the feel and consistent pressure delivered by cork drags I have also had problems with them over extended usage. Some reels require oiling of the cork, and the cork drag surface would dry out and become brittle if not constantly oiled in between uses. Other reels didn’t seal out the elements as well and when particles got into the drag system caused pitting and scratches in the drag surface affecting both drag pressure and overall reel smoothness.

A look at the spool

The Galvan Torque on the other hand features an easy to use and reliable drag system that is easily changeable from left to right retrieve. The Torque reels retain that smoothness of action and quiet click that Galvan has become known for, and the smooth and powerful drag system is composed of stainless steel, self-lubricating bronze, and a state-of-the-art, heat and wear resistant thermoplastic material unlike anything else on the reel market. Even under pressure of hard running fish this material does not break down, and requires almost no service over the long haul.

The drag system for the Torque is composed of stainless steel and a state-of-the-art, heat- and wear-resistant thermoplastic

Ergonomics: Ergonomically the Torque reminds me of another reel that we looked at a few seasons ago, the Ross Evolution. The Evolution, like the Torque, took aggressive porting far beyond conventional reels by machining away material while still trying to create a solid and durable frame and spool.

The spool is machined aggressively to remove material for weight reduction without compromising strength and rigidity

Adjustments are easy with the Torque, and on the fly drag setting changes is very easy as the knob on the frame side of the spool is very large diameter and features a ridged surface. It is easy to feel around and rotate the knob, and you are greeted by a clicker which allows you to make minute adjustments. The only reel that I found was easier to adjust was the Bauer M3 which had a drag on the spool side, allowing anglers to simply make a drag change while retrieving with the their palming hand.

The bushings that hold the spool in place

Durability: For a reel that has so little metal left in the frame and spool the Torque still feels surprisingly solid. The spool uses a network of symmetrical arms to ensure that equal pressure is distributed on all angles. The line is actually exposed all the way around the spool, and yet rests evenly on the arms.

We torture tested the spool and the Torque's drag held up even when wet

Next Section: Durability and Applications