Taylor Array 8/9/10 Fly Reel Review

Feb 01, 2018 · 2 min read

Red anodized Taylor Array fly reel with machined spoke cutouts, knurled drag knob and lightweight aluminum finish

Rounding out the trio of reels from Taylor is the Array. The Array sits between the Enigma and the Revolution in terms of price and performance. But it’s really more like the performance of the Enigma and the looks of the Revolution. I wish it were reversed… here’s why:

8-Weight Shootout Full Results

Weight

Like the Revolution, the Array weighs in at a respectable 7.1 ounces. A solid start!

Drag

Red anodized machined aluminum Trident fly reel with ported spool and large arbor.

While the drag on the Array wasn’t *quite* as bad as the Enigma in terms of strength, it was much worse in terms of adjustability. You’re basically going to get a free spool when you turn the drag halfway. Why didn’t they just stop the drag from turning more than one full turn? I asked myself the same question. Update: Taylor has said that two changes were made on the final version of reel: 1. the drag engages right away which increases both the half-drag performance and gives it a broader range of adjustability, and 2. they upped the max drag. According to Taylor, the V2 is much closer to the Revolution in its current form.

Drag Test Graph

Line chart with blue trace showing Taylor Array 8-9-10 fly reel drag test around 4–4.4 lbs across distance, grid background

Sound

It’s actually got the best sound of all the Taylor’s we tried. That said it still left me wanting more.

Spool & Retrieval Rate

The Array has one of the slowest retrieves in the test. The Array might even be considered a mid-arbor? It does have plenty of capacity.

Looks & Ergonomics

Like all Taylor reels, the Array looks pretty good. Truth be told, I prefer both the Enigma and the Revolution though. Something about the single colored reel just doesn’t have the same appeal as the others. The Array also got the drag knob (more) right. While it’s not my favorite by any stretch, it’s one that you can actually grab and turn. The handle is still a little odd though. What’s really weird is switching spools. The cap that attaches the spool to the frame comes off of the spool entirely. That means that you could be on the water trying to switch spools, drop the cap and be heading home for the day…

Finish and durability

Red anodized aluminum Taylor Array fly reel with white line on vented spool, machined cutouts and slight rim scuff

Yet again, the Taylor delivered here. Finish and durability are quite good on the Array.

Warranty

Lifetime to the original owner + $50 fee. Price: $300

Conclusion

Spend the extra $80 and get the Revolution.

Pros

A drag knob that you can actually turn
Solid durability

Cons

Pretty much everything else

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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