Abel Fly Reel, Model SDF – 4/5 Solid

Winner of the best new freshwater reel for 2018 by Fly Fisherman Magazine and Best of Show at the 2017 ICAST/IFTD industry trade show, the SDF comes on the heels of their move to Colorado: the trout-based surroundings inspired Abel to take it up a notch. Based on the SDS (Sealed Drag Salt), the SDF (Sealed Drag Fresh) is a scaled-down version of the award-winning saltwater titan featuring similar porting and a stainless steel/carbon fluoropolymer drag system. The SDF boasts an enormous amount of drag, an adjustment range almost three times greater than its predecessor, and virtually zero start up inertia. They took what was learned from their SDS design, made sure to include the unmistakable Abel fit and finish, and created the best freshwater reel ever seen.