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Hardy has a rich history of producing fine fly reels for freshwater anglers, and the Cascapedia is no exception. The Cascapedia fly reel has been around in some form since the 1930s, and represents the unique Atlantic Salmon angling heritage of England and Quebec. This most current iteration of the reel incorporates some modern advancements in drag technology while maintaining much of the original aesthetic. If you're fascinated by heritage spey reels, keep reading to learn more about the Hardy Cascapedia in our full review.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Timeless aesthetic
- Quality English craftsmanship
- Solid drag performance for anadromous species
Cons
- Traditional arbor = slower retrieval rate
- Limited drag adjustability
- Expensive
Who It's For
The Hardy Cascapedia is made for Salmon and Steelhead anglers who love the look and feel of a vintage reel but with a smooth, modern disc drag and impeccable British workmanship. Spey reel collectors will certainly want to own this modern piece of history, as well as dyed-in-the-wool spey fishermen who prefer loud clicks and traditional arbors.
Weight
For a modern spey reel, the Hardy Cascapedia is certainly on the heavy side, weighing in at 12.1 ounces in the 8/9 size. However, traditional Scandi rods are commonly 13 to 14 feet or longer, requiring a heavy reel to properly balance their length. Depending on your preference, and the spey rod pairing, this reel could be just right, or a tad on the heavy side.
Drag
Arguably the most important feature of the Hardy Cascapedia fly reel is its drag - or rather, that it has a drag. This was the original Cascapedia's claim to fame in the 1930s, marking one of the first ever Hardy fly reels featuring an adjustable drag. And unlike the longtime favorite Hardy Perfect, the Cascapedia has a totally reasonable amount of stopping power - somewhere in the 4-5 pound range. This disc drag is not sealed, so we don't advise bringing it into saltwater conditions.
Sound
Who doesn't love a screaming drag on a vintage reel! That's exactly the sound and feeling you'll get with the Hardy Cascapedia, which features a deeper, inconspicuous incoming click and a lively, spirited outgoing click that sounds energetic and fun. We'd put it right up there as one of our favorite clicks.
Spool & Cage Design
As a heritage reel, the Cascapedia's spool and full-cage frame feature traditional dimensions. In the 8/9 size we measured a maximum spool diameter of 3.5 inches, a width of roughly 1.1 inches, and a small arbor diameter of 0.6 inches. These specs equate to about 5.2 inches of line per turn, which is about on par for most classic spey reels. While it won't hold a candle to modern reels like the Hatch Iconic or the Hardy Fortuna, traditional spey connoisseurs understand and appreciate this. Similar to how a longbow hunter accepts that his weapon is not as efficient as a modern compound bow, there is a heightened level of purity that comes with traditional equipment, paying homage to the generations who paved the way before us.
Looks & Ergonomics
The Hardy Cascapedia is a stunningly handsome reel in a timeless kind of way. Its design hasn't changed much in the past 90 years, featuring an unported, black painted frame. Its hand-polished aluminum looks like a timeless work of art.
Ergonomically, the Cascapedia is simply okay, and also on par for classic reels. Its handle and drag knob are somewhat small, but they're functional and fit the overall aesthetic.
Warranty
Value
Price: $850.00
The Hardy Cascapedia Fly Reel is akin to the Bentley Continental. Both are quintessentially British, exuding timeless elegance and vintage charm while carrying a hefty price tag. Just as the Bentley offers luxury with performance that's more about cruising than racing, the Cascapedia blends classic aesthetics with moderate, yet reliable functionality. It's a reel that's more about savoring the experience than pushing the extremes. Although it's not for everyone, anglers who value the classic elements of spey reels will certainly find the Cascapedia worthy of its price tag.
Conclusion
The Hardy Cascapedia is a fascinating spey reel that combines classic design elements and a modern adjustable drag. Its weight and fully enclosed cage are ideal for pairing with longer spey rods, and its playful clicky sound is a joy to listen to. While some anglers might consider its traditional performance specifications and high price as drawbacks, for aficionados of classic reels and spey fishing, the Cascapedia offers dependable performance enveloped in a luxurious design rarely matched by contemporary reels. If you're matching it to a two-hander, see our guide on choosing a fly reel for a spey or switch rod.
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