Reelin’ & Dealin’
by Kurt Dehmer
The story of Bozeman Reel Company
There probably isn’t a small city in the American West more closely associated with fly fishing than Bozeman. Therefore, it would make sense to design, machine, and manufacture fly reels right there, in the town itself. Yet remarkably, no one had given this idea any serious consideration until 2008.
Then came Matt McCune, a graduate of Montana State University’s mechanical-engineering program. He had a plan. By combining his enthusiasm for fly fishing with engineering skills and design acumen—not to mention mechanical and machining knowledge—Matt knew he could make exactly the sort of fly reel he’d been looking for, but had yet to find. Best of all, he could do it right here at home. And so Bozeman Reel was born, eventually joined by Ed Tompkins and Dan Rice. The team has a meticulous eye for detail, and each reel is crafted with a lifetime of use in mind.
By combining his enthusiasm for fly fishing with engineering skills and design acumen—not to mention mechanical and machining knowledge—Matt knew he could make exactly the sort of fly reel he’d been looking for, but had yet to find.
Every reel is machined from a single piece—or puck—of aerospace-grade aluminum. This puck is first shaped in a lathe before being transferred to a machine awash in antifreeze-like liquid, where a different set of tools carve away more aluminum. The reels are then tumbled in a hopper of pyramid-shaped porcelain media. The tumbling results in a smooth, matte finish. Any remaining imperfections are dealt with manually.
Once the initial machining is complete, the reel’s parts & pieces are shipped offsite to be anodized—an electrochemical process that creates a protective coating on the reel. It is during this process that the coloration is added. Once the reel returns to the shop, it’s ready to be assembled. It is during this final assembly process that drag systems, spool knobs, counterweights, and a few other parts mesh together to create what can only be described as an “heirloom-quality” fly reel.
In a day and age of mass-produced, large-arbor monstrosities, Bozeman Reel’s offerings are refreshingly simple. Matt and his crew offer two different series to choose from. The RS (River-Streams) series; or, for the more nostalgic angler, the SC (Stream-Creek) series, also called the S-Handle Classic.
The RS is a truly modern fly reel in every regard. The mid-arbor design and sealed drag and bearing systems are lightweight, yet tough enough to handle fishing-guide levels of use. The RS comes in three models: the RS325 for 3- to 5-weight lines, the RS527 for 5- to 7-weight lines, and the RS 729 for bigger game and streamer rods in 7- to 9-weight line capacity.
Just as tough as the RS series, but in a more classic design, the SC is a nod to the click-and-pawl reels of yore, yet manufactured with durability and reliability at the forefront. The SC223 is intended for rods in the 2- to 3-weight line capacity, and the SC325 is for rods using 3- to 5-weight line.
In a day and age of mass-produced, large-arbor monstrosities, Bozeman Reel’s offerings are refreshingly simple.
High-quality fly-fishing gear is, for lack of a better term, an investment, and Bozeman Reel’s products are no exception. But what sets these reels apart from all the other high-end models is the fact that they are designed, machined, and manufactured right here in Big Sky country. Which means that you can pair it with a Winston, Morgan, Sullivan, or other Montana-made rod, and have yourself a setup to match the scenery, the trout, and the spirit of fly fishing, in Bozeman and beyond.
If you want to check out Bozeman Reel for yourself, don’t go looking for one at the fly shop. Nope, these puppies are only for sale on their website. Learn more at bozemanreel.com.