First, keep in mind that this is not just a brand-new Van Staal reel. It’s coming from a completely revamped Van Staal company. Everything has changed but the quality of the product. The new C-VEX series of fly reels is everything you’d expect from them, except for maybe the price.
Constructed entirely from 6061-T6 aluminum, the new C-VEX reels feature an innovative design that uses convex wall construction to increase the strength, which in turn allows the utilization of thinner and lighter materials. In fact, the 12-weight reel weighs less than 9 ounces. One of the most innovative features of this reel is its modular design. The entire reel has three components – the housing, the spool and the drag cylinder. The reels can be taken apart by hand, so switching spools and drags and from left- to right-hand retrieve remains simple and quick.
The universal housing works with several different spools, allowing you to change from a 9/10-weight to an 11/12-weight easily. The patented C-VEX drag cylinder houses the graphite-impregnated composite washer-drag material, which is totally sealed for complete protection from salt and sand, making it maintenance-free. The spools offer a wide, ultralarge arbor design so that you don’t sacrifice backing, and greatly increase the uptake of line.
All reels in the C-VEX series are available in a polished-aluminum color and are clear-coat anodized for protection. The 9/10 retails for $440, while the 11/12 costs $530. The combo kit, which comes with a housing, a 9/10 spool, an 11/12 spool and a drag cylinder, retails for $655. A 7/8 will be introduced in the near future and will retail for $380.
For more information, contact:
**Van Staal
**365 Sniffens Lane
Stratford, CT 06615
800-718-7335; www.vanstaal.com.
