Hardy Bougle Fly Reel

 

One of the most historically beautiful Spey/Switch reels on the market is the Hardy Bougle. This reel has been around for over a century (celebrated its 113th birthday in 2013) and Hardy has continued to update the design without compromising the impeccable traditional design. The Bougle is a reel your father or grandfather may have used because of its practical old-fashioned click-and-pawl drag, durable build, and classic aesthetics. Don’t be fooled, however, this is a reel for the modern angler, too.

 

Design

Classic Aesthetics - The Bougle was designed to be a classic reel. With traditional reel features including a click-and-pawl drag, a wooden reel handle, and a traditional arbor size, this reel is geared toward the angler who prefers a classic aesthetic. Beautiful craftsmanship and parts that are hand-made make this reel a true work of art.

 

Finish

CNC Machined, Anodized Finish - The Bougle is first machined then hand-polished and deep anodized for increased durability. Anodizing finishes the bar stock aluminum in a durable finish and holds up well when dropped or dinged. Anodizing is used on many fly reels today for its protective coat.

 

Materials

Bar Stock Aluminum - The Bougle is forged from bar stock aluminum for a lightweight, rugged design that holds up to anything the angler throws at it. The vented porting on this reel is done intelligently to decrease overall reel weight without decreasing durability. Bar stock aluminum is popular in the fly fishing industry because of its strong, resilient nature.

 

Drag

Type - The Bougle has a traditional click-check drag mechanism. This click-drag contributes to the reel’s classic aesthetics and traditional functionality. This drag system isn’t going to stop the largest fish in the ocean, but it’s a beautifully sounding reel for freshwater Spey/Switch applications.

Materials - The click-check drag system on the Bougle is made with titanium materials and features a hollow recessed stainless steel spindle. The drag system is simple and easy to clean but remains durable for the life of the reel.

 

Arbor Size

Traditional Arbor - The Bougle has a traditional arbor, much different than many contemporary fly reels. This traditional arbor allows anglers to add backing or running line to the reel without worrying about overfilling it. The reel’s traditional arbor also accommodates thicker Spey and Switch fly lines for increased two-handed performance.

 

Warranty

Hardy Limited Warranty - As of September 2019, Hardy warrants that their reels will be free from material defects in design, material, and workmanship for a period of 5 years from the date on which it was originally purchased. The warranty, like many others, doesn’t cover damage from misuse, negligence, or wear and tear. Hardy does repair reels. The service fee is $35 plus replacement parts for repair.

 

More Info

Best for: Freshwater, Streamers

 

Arbor Size: Traditional