Galvan Torque T-5 Fly Reel Review

Jan 31, 2015 · 3 min read

Green anodized Galvan Torque T-5 large-arbor aluminum fly reel with ventilated spool and black knob

When we published our 8-weight shootout, the two comments we got most of all was "why did you test ." So naturally, we tested them both this time. The Galvan Torque is their top-of-the-line reel. While not excactly new to the market, the Torque is beautifully machined and comes from a great family-run business in California. We're excited to see how it does against the big boys! PS - We liked it so much, that we now carry it. Buy your Galvan Torque here. 5-Weight Challenge Full Results

WEIGHT

4.8 ounces. While not the lightest reel out there, it's actually one of the lighter reels in the test.

DRAG

Unquestionably, the best feature about the T-5 is its drag, which simply dominated our test. It's got a bonefish stopping 7.3 lbs of drag and no detectable startup inertia.

Sealed?

Not sealed.

DRAG TEST GRAPH

SOUND

The incoming click is great, but the outgoing drag sound is a little too muted for our tastes. I want to hear that brown trout run!

SPOOL & RETRIEVAL RATE

While the spool on the Torque was quite narrow, the rest of the specs on the spool were fairly average. Retrieve was a fast, but not lightning fast, 7.16 inches per turn. and it holds about 130 yards of backing.

LOOK & FEEL

The Torque looks great, and it's a great blend of modern styling and tradition. You can definitely tell that it's well designed and machined in a quality US shop. Better still, it's fully ported to shave weight and so your backing will dry well if it gets wet.

Ergonimics

Handle: If there's one thing I would change on the Torque, it's the handle. It's way too short. The handle on the Rush is much better. Drag Knob: The drag knob is great - comfy and easy to adjust. Spool Change: The one-button release works really well.

The Drop

Above Average. While you can definitely tell that the reel has been abused, neither the dragging or the dropping made any significant dents (ha ha). It's particularly impressive since it was a dark colored reel. No Damage.

WARRANTY

Lifetime to the original owner + $0! Price: $360

CONCLUSION

Third place! Let me start this conclusion by saying that at the time this test was published, we didn't carry Galvan reels (we do now). Clearly, that needs to change, but what I'm really saying is that when a company makes a great product and sends it to us to test, we test it fairly, and it does well in our tests. We like pretty much everything about the Galvan Torque. It had the best drag in the test with both huge strength numbers and virtually no startup intertia. It looks and feels great, and is very well machined. The only thing that kept it out of the #1 spot is its slightly slower retrieve and heavier weight. Best of all, it's made in the USA.

PROS

Best drag in the test!
Great looks
Made in the USA quality

CONS

Why not make the drag sealed for saltwater use?

Written by

Ben Freeman

Ben Freeman founded Trident Fly Fishing in 2012 to cut through the marketing fluff and provide anglers with the technical info they actually need. He’s built his reputation by putting gear to the ultimate test in the world’s most unforgiving fisheries. With fishing stamps from over 22 countries and 17+ states, Ben’s passport is a roadmap of bucket list angling—from landing a 25lb Golden Dorado in Bolivia and 150lb Arapaima in Guyana to sight-casting for Roosterfish off the beaches in Baja. Whether it’s battling 60+mph winds to land a 20lb Rainbow at Jurassic Lake or a full day of casting 8in streamers in Mongolia, Ben has spent decades ensuring his gear performs when a trip of a lifetime is on the line.

At Trident, Ben serves as the lead gear geek, specializing in the deep-dive mechanics of rods, reels, and lines. Over the past 15 years, he's reviewed 250+ fly rods and 150+ fly reels and is likely one of the most prolific rod reviewers in the world. But he doesn't just curate the catalog; he scrutinizes every taper and drag system through the lens of a traveling angler who knows what it's like to have gear fail a thousand miles from home. For Ben, the mission is simple: leverage his experience across nearly 100 species to ensure that when you head into the wild, you’re equipped with gear that has been vetted by someone who has actually been there.

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