The FlyStart is a great aluminum
beginner reel that retails for only 40-55 dollars
Flystart:
Let's begin with the Flystart, a hybrid
large arbor fly reel that is constructed out of high quality aluminum alloy but
manages a lower cost because it is gravity fed cast aluminum, then machine
finished. The Delrin 500P drag system is designed to be smooth, consistent and
have a wide range of adjustment. It is electrostatically coated for hardness and
color, and features a self a lubricating synthetic drag system that is virtually
maintenance free. The spool rotation mechanism on this reel makes use of bronze
bushings rotating on a stainless steel spindle. The Ross team was committed to
producing an introductory priced fly reel that would perform to the expectations
of even the most experienced angler, and the Flystart series is designed for
first-time fly fishing participants that demand quality, but do not want to
spend a fortune gearing up to fish. The Flystart is available in four sizes and
retails for only 40-55 dollars depending on size.
Width (spool):
|
.90" |
.95" |
1.00" |
1.10" |
Diameter:
|
3.00" |
3.25" |
3.50" |
3.75" |
Weight:
|
5.2 oz. |
5.5 oz. |
6.0 oz. |
6.6 oz. |
Line Weight:
|
3-5wt. |
4-6wt. |
5-7wt. |
6-8wt. |
Capacity:
|
WF4+50 |
WF5+125 |
WF6+175 |
WF7+225 |
Reel price:
|
$40.00 |
$45.00 |
$50.00 |
$55.00 |
Spool price:
|
$22.00 |
$24.00 |
$26.00 |
$28.00 |

The Flycast
ups the ante when it comes to drag adjustment, and retails for 25 dollars more
than the Flystart
Flycast:
Ready to step up from the base model? The Flycast offers anglers a more refined
reel for not a whole lot more money. For just twenty five more dollars anglers
get a reel with all the same materials as the Flystart but with an upgraded drag
interface with an offset gear to gear disc drag that is smooth and offers an
infinite range of adjustment. Each reel in this
series is designed with a unique diameter and width to maximize the properties
of drag consistency and line retrieval. Ross engineers spent considerable time
refining this drag design to guarantee a low maintenance, high performance drag
system that can hold its own against much more expensive products. The Flycast
is a good choice for value minded intermediate fly anglers.
Width (spool):
|
.90" |
.95" |
1.00" |
1.10" |
Diameter:
|
3.00" |
3.25" |
3.50" |
3.75" |
Weight:
|
5.2 oz. |
5.6 oz. |
6.1 oz. |
6.6 oz. |
Line Weight:
|
3-5wt. |
4-6wt. |
5-7wt. |
6-8wt. |
Capacity: |
WF4+50 |
WF5+125 |
WF6+175 |
WF7+225 |
Reel price:
|
$65.00 |
$70.00 |
$75.00 |
$80.00 |
Spool price:
|
$34.00 |
$36.00 |
$38.00 |
$40.00 |

The Flywater
actually makes use of the same Delrin drag system as the award winning Ross
Gunnison Series, yet retails for only 100 dollars
Flywater:
The flagship of the new line is the Flywater, also a
hybrid large arbor fly reel that crafted with a more open frame to reduce
weight. The Flywater drag system is superior to its more affordable siblings and
is actually identical to the system that was used in the company's award winning
Gunnison USA series. This is rather impressive considering that the Gunnison
sold for more than twice the price of the Flywater series. This Delrin AF to
stainless interface utilizes a pull frame friction disc drag system that is
strong, sensitive and dependable. The Flywater is the perfect reel for those
anglers who are equally concerned about impeccable drag performance, great
aesthetics and rugged durability. Perhaps most impressive of all is that even
the largest most expensive model only retails for 105 dollars. The Flywater and
all of the reels in the new lineup are available in either Black or Titanium
finish.
Width (spool):
|
.90" |
.95" |
1.00" |
1.10" |
Diameter:
|
3.00" |
3.25" |
3.50" |
3.75" |
Weight:
|
4.8 oz.
|
5.2 oz.
|
5.6 oz.
|
6.2 oz.
|
Line Weight:
|
3-5wt.
|
4-6wt.
|
5-7wt.
|
6-8wt.
|
Capacity:
|
WF4+50
|
WF5+125
|
WF6+175
|
WF7+225
|
Reel price:
|
$90.00
|
$95.00
|
$100.00
|
$105.00
|
Spool price:
|
$48.00
|
$52.00
|
$56.00
|
$60.00
|

The Pescador
pliers are machined out of aircraft quality aluminum and safe for both fresh and
saltwater environments
Pescador Pliers:
Also new are a pair of pliers that look so good we are surprised that they are
not positioned in the flagship Ross brand. The
Pescador pliers are machined from aircraft grade proprietary aluminum stock.
Ross chose to use a proprietary aluminum blend to provide greater strength and
rigidity, while still providing a beautifully machined finish and vibrant color
application. These pliers are ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in hand
and have ventilated arms for a lightweight feel. The tungsten carbide cutters
can slice through virtually all sizes of fishing specific monofilaments, wires
and braided lines. The pliers have ample jaw strength to safely remove hooks,
tighten knots, crimp sleeves and connect wires. In addition, Ross has
incorporated a medium grit, diamond coated sharpening stone into the top of the
pliers' jaw for convenient hook sharpening. The pliers are shipped complete with
a high quality, custom designed cordura sheath with drain hole and self-coiling
safety lanyard. The pliers are priced aggressively for a machined offering and
available in two sizes and are
anodized so that they can be used for all freshwater and saltwater environments.
Weight:
|
3.9 oz.
|
6.4 oz.
|
Cordura Sheath:
|
Included
|
Included
|
Lanyard:
|
Included
|
Included
|
Replaceable Jaws:
|
Yes |
Yes |
Replaceable
Cutters: |
Yes |
Yes |
Replaceable
Sharpening Stone: |
Yes |
Yes |
Pliers Package
Price: |
$139.00
|
$159.00
|
Cordura Sheath:
|
$29.95
|
$29.95
|
Lanyard:
|
$14.95
|
$14.95
|
Replaceable Jaws:
|
$24.95
|
$24.95
|
Replaceable
Cutters: |
$19.95
|
$19.95
|
Replaceable
Sharpening Stone: |
$19.95
|
$19.95
|
Warranty:
While the new Ross Worldwide offerings are more affordable it is nice to know
that the company continues to back even these mainstream products up with a
quality Lifetime Warranty. Flystart,
Flycast and Flywater series reels and spools purchased through an authorized
dealer are all covered by the same warranty. This warranty only applies
to the original owner and is not transferable and is limited to repair or
replacement of the reel and spool only, and does not cover direct, indirect,
consequential, incidental or any other type of damage resulting from the use of
the product. This warranty does not cover misuse, negligence, normal wear, fire,
theft, loss or intentional damage.
Conclusion: The new Ross Worldwide reels
look like quality offerings, and while they are aggressively priced still don't
deviate from what makes a Ross product so popular. The three new reels are the
core of the new offering and can be paired up with new Essence fly rods from
Ross. The Essence are available in three rod series, which have been assigned
graphite designations of R-1, R-2 and R-3 to highlight design differences. While
the fundamentals of each series remains true to the design, a higher numbered
R-Value indicates a slightly more progressive action. These rods retail from
99-199 dollars depending on model. To make things even easier and affordable the
reels are available in combos already spooled with line, and the company is even
offering a number of complete fly fishing outfits with the combination of an
Essence rod and a Flystart or Flycast prespooled reel. These even come with Mel
Krieger's Beginnings - An Introduction To Fly Fishing DVD that is designed to
make learning the sport of fly fishing a fast, easy and fun experience for every
level of fly angler. Never before has it been easier to get started fly fishing,
and to do it with tackle from a quality brand like Ross for so little investment
is even more motivation to start moving those forearms.
