Ross Evolution FS: An Award Winning Fly Fishing Reel. Is It Worth the Hype?

Good Looks

Right away, I took a liking to the looks of the reel, but style without substance to back it up doesn't amount to much in the harsh demands of saltwater fly fishing.

Fly Fishing's Version of the UFC

Saltwater fly fishing is tough on gear, and a fly reel used in the salt will take a beating. It's hard to get around that. Scrambling onto a surf-battered boulder for a shot at Striped Bass, the reel will inevitably get banged around on the rocks. Then, a rogue wave crashes, dunking the reel in a foamy churn of salt and sand. This is just one example of the abuse a saltwater reel endures. Sand, rocks, coral, and the ever-present threat of salt corrosion relentlessly conspire to punish your gear.

What Makes This Reel an Excellent Choice for Fresh and Saltwater.

The Ross Evolution FS has a lot of good going for it. Here's just a few notes I took over the time I've owned one. 

Light weight. The 7/8 model comes in at a featherweight 6.9 ounces compared to most 8 wt fly reels. Being so light makes this reel incredibly versatile in my fly fishing world. By spooling it with a 7 wt line and pairing it with a 7 wt rod, I can transform it into a perfect combo for the extra large Alaskan wild rainbow trout and arctic char.

• A 7 Weight Outfit for Trout Fishing?
• Yes, if you are lucky enough to live in a place where you can cast large streamers, like the Kelly Galloup Sex Dungeon, to monster brown trout, or you get to go on your dream trip to Alaska to fly fish for wild Alaskan rainbow trout and arctic char. A 7 wt is the way to go. Today's 7 wt rods feel like the 6 weights of a few years ago. And now with Ross building a 7/8 wt reel that only weighs 6.9 ounces, you've got a reel that pairs well with the lightweight, advanced rods of our time. 

Strong: Light weight doesn't mean weak. This is a solid and sturdy reel. It's guts and frame are made to stand up to the abuse of saltwater fly fishing. 

A lot of thought was put into the physics of this reel's design. First it's machined from a solid block of aerospace aluminum. Its build is a symmetrical semi-caged frame, this design is physically strong, with enough material removed to reduce weight. It is an economy of design that keeps it light and nimble enough for freshwater, and its strength means it can handle saltwater fly fishing at its extreme. 

The Drag: This is where fly reels prove themselves capable for saltwater fly fishing. Bonefish, a big striped bass, albies; these fish will rip some line off your reel. In pursuit of saltwater fish, the drag becomes a needed tool that makes a difference in successfully landing a fish, or the pain of losing a personal best.

The Evolution FS drag knob isn't an oversized eyesore, but it's big enough to easily find and manipulate when all heck breaks loose. This is a big deal when you're in the midst of a fight and the fish is running like a bat out of hell. With water dripping off your hands, or covered in fish slime, you want the drag knob easy to grab, and easy to turn.

No Room for Mediocre

Next, you want the drag to work, not kinda good, but real good. When a fish peels out line at top speed, and it's a fish of a size that makes your heart start thumping, you want a drag that can slow the fish down smoothly, to protect your tippet, and quickly, to protect the fish. If you lose the fish because the drag wasn't smooth, wasn't easy to dial into the right amount of tension, or doesn't have the stopping power, I don't care how pretty the reel is, it ain't worth it. 

When It Mattered

The Ross Evolution FS drag put the stopping power to a large redfish, and a above-average bonefish. In fact, I was surprised how smoothly, and quickly it was able to slow the bonefish down when it was headed for deep water. As I got the bonefish in close it took off on another run, and the drag's start-up was easy and fluid. It didn't take much time for me to land the fish on my own.  

The Reel Handle:  It's made from canvas micarta. If you are a fan of knives, some of your blade handles might be made from this material. Canvas micarta has a textured feel that provides a secure grip. When wet it softens slightly to further improve your hold. 

I'm a big fan of this material. I know a reel handle is a little thing, but if you've ever come unbuttoned from a fish because you lost grip of the handle in mid-fight, it suddenly becomes a big thing. 

The Design:  It was the design of the Ross Evolution FS that first got my attention. It is a good looking reel, with smooth, rounded edges that showcase the high-quality metalwork. The symmetrical semi-caged frame is not just for looks, it's built that way to increase the strength of the body. The design also eliminates the possibility of line slipping between the spool and frame, a feature I appreciate. I've ruined a lot of leaders that found their way into that gap, so thank you to the reel designer for figuring this out.

A Clicker: It has one, coming in and going out. It's not loud, a little on the soft side, but still enough to be satisfying. I can't stand a reel that doesn't have a clicker. 

An Award Winning Fly Fishing Reel. Is It Worth the Hype?

In a word, YES.

The Ross Evolution FS looks pretty, but don't let it's beauty make you think it's all show. A lot of thought went into its design so it functions at a high level. I appreciate its versatility that allows me to use it over a wide range of water, and chase different species of fish. It's a smart fly fishing investment that will earn its keep. KB

* The flies in the cover photo clockwise from the upper left: A Jeff Rowley Diver, An Albie Fly, Meko Special-Tied by Peter Lawson-Johnston, Merkin Crab.

The gods do not deduct from man’s allotted span the hours spent in fishing.” - Herbert Hoover