I recently got my hands on the orvis battenkill ii large arbor and took it out to a local spring creek to see if it actually lived up to the hype. If you've been fly fishing for more than a few days, you probably know the Battenkill name. It's been around forever, usually associated with that classic, click-and-pawl sound that reminds people of their grandfather's old bamboo rod. But this version—the large arbor—is a bit of a different beast. It tries to bridge the gap between that vintage soul and the modern performance we all expect when we're shelling out our hard-earned cash.
Why the Large Arbor Change Matters
For a long time, the Battenkill was just a standard arbor reel. It was deep, narrow, and your fly line would come off it looking like a Slinky if it had been sitting there too long. The orvis battenkill ii large arbor fixes that specific headache. By increasing the diameter of the spool, Orvis has made it so your line stays in much larger loops.
You'll notice the difference the second you pull line off the reel to make your first cast of the morning. There's less "memory" in the fly line, meaning it lays flatter on the water. Plus, when a fish decides to turn and run right toward you, that large arbor lets you pick up slack way faster than the old-school versions ever could. It's a practical upgrade that doesn't sacrifice the reel's identity.
That Classic Click-and-Pawl Sound
Let's talk about the drag—or the lack of a "drag" in the modern sense. This isn't a disc drag reel. You won't find any sealed carbon fiber plates or adjustable knobs that can stop a truck. The orvis battenkill ii large arbor uses a traditional click-and-pawl system.
Now, some people might hear that and think it's outdated. But honestly? It's part of the fun. There's something incredibly tactile about feeling the mechanical click-click-click through the handle when a trout is shaking its head. You are the drag. If a fish is really peeling line, you have to use your palm against the rim of the spool to slow it down. It makes the whole experience feel way more connected. If you're looking to hunt 30-pound saltwater fish, this isn't the tool. But for trout, panfish, or even small bass? It's more than enough.
Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication
One of the things I love most about this reel is how few parts there are to break. You can pop the spool off in about two seconds, and inside, it's just a simple spring and gear. It's elegant in its simplicity. I've dropped mine in the mud, rinsed it off in the stream, and it kept right on clicking. Because it's machined from heavy-duty aluminum, it feels substantial in your hand without being a boat anchor on your rod.
Weight and Balance
I paired the orvis battenkill ii large arbor with a standard 9-foot 5-weight graphite rod, and the balance was spot on. The "II" size is specifically designed for 3-weight to 5-weight lines, which is the sweet spot for most freshwater anglers. It weighs in at just under 5 ounces.
It's light enough that you won't get fatigued after a full day of casting, but it has enough heft to prevent the rod from feeling tip-heavy. I also tried it on a shorter 7-foot fiberglass rod just for kicks, and it felt even better there. There's something about the silver finish and the porting (the holes in the frame) that just looks "right" on a glass rod.
Durability in the Real World
I'm not exactly gentle with my gear. My reels usually end up getting bumped against rocks or tossed in the back of the truck. The finish on the orvis battenkill ii large arbor is surprisingly tough. It's got that matte, anodized look that hides small scratches well.
I've noticed that the tolerances are very tight, too. There's no annoying wobble when you're cranking the handle, and the spool fits into the frame with a very satisfying "thunk." It feels like a piece of equipment that's going to last twenty years, which is rare these days when so much stuff feels disposable.
The Internal "Song"
The sound of this reel is worth mentioning again. It's loud enough to be heard by your fishing buddy across the bank, but it's not obnoxious. It's a crisp, metallic song that just sounds like fly fishing is supposed to sound. On the retrieve, the click is a bit softer, and when the line is going out, it's a bit sharper. It gives you instant feedback on what the fish is doing, even if you've momentarily lost sight of your line.
Comparison to the Standard Battenkill
You might be wondering if you should just go with the standard Battenkill instead of the large arbor version. The standard one is definitely more "classic" looking—it's narrower and looks like something out of a 1950s catalog. It's also a bit lighter.
However, if you actually plan on fishing a lot, the orvis battenkill ii large arbor is the better choice for most people. The benefits of the faster line pickup and the reduced line coiling just outweigh the aesthetic perks of the ultra-thin standard model. Plus, the large arbor version still keeps that narrow-spool feel that prevents the line from stacking up on one side when you're winding it back in. It's the best of both worlds.
Who is this Reel For?
If you're the kind of person who enjoys the "fight" more than the "win," you'll love this reel. It's for the angler who wants to feel every head shake and every burst of energy from a fish. It's for the person who appreciates good machining and a heritage look but wants the convenience of modern spool dimensions.
It's not for someone who wants to set a drag and forget about it. If you're used to high-tech disc drags where you can just crank down a knob to stop a fish in its tracks, the orvis battenkill ii large arbor might frustrate you at first. You have to learn how to "palm" the reel, which is a bit of a lost art. But once you get the hang of it, you might find it hard to go back to "boring" silent drags.
A Few Minor Gripes
Nothing is perfect, right? If I had to nitpick, I'd say that the clicker is maybe a tiny bit louder than I expected out of the box. If you're trying to be stealthy on a dead-quiet pond, every time you pull line out, it sounds like a small machine gun going off. It does mellow out a bit over time as the parts wear in, but it's definitely not a silent operator.
Also, because it's a click-and-pawl, the "drag" tension is pretty much the same whether you're fishing for a 4-inch brook trout or a 20-inch rainbow. You can adjust the spring tension slightly by moving the position of the pawl inside, but it's a minimal change. You're really relying on your hands for 90% of the pressure.
Wrapping Things Up
At the end of the day, the orvis battenkill ii large arbor is just a fun reel to fish with. It doesn't try to be a high-performance saltwater winch. It knows exactly what it is: a well-made, beautiful, and functional piece of gear for trout and freshwater fishing.
It honors the history of the Battenkill name while making it much more usable for the modern angler who hates tangled, coiled-up fly lines. If you want a reel that makes every fish feel a little bit bigger and every trip feel a little more classic, this is a solid investment. It's one of those rare pieces of gear that actually adds to the soul of the sport rather than just being another tool in the box. Whether you're hitting a small mountain stream or a big tailwater, it's a companion that won't let you down—and it'll sound great while doing it.