Keep your ears peeled for more news from Douglas Outdoors; it’s a company that will be making waves in the fly world in the near future. Led by Jim Murphy, (formerly of Redington, Hardy U.S.A., etc.) Douglas is cracking the fly market on two fronts—rods and reels. Right now, the company is producing some nice import rods that are priced at $170 for a 5-weight (the DHF line) and $325 for a 5-weight (the DXF line). Murphy has a reputation as the guy who can build performance tapers and offer the rods at surprising price points, so these rods are surprisingly good casters for what they cost.
But what really has us interested is the Argus Reel, made in Phoenix, New York (near Syracuse). It’s a classic click & pawl, with beautiful finish and feel. This one is going to resonate with traditionalist anglers. It’s type 2 anodized, and has a marine brass reel foot. One particularly neat accent that typifies the “old meets new” thinking in this reel—a laser-textured palming rim. Just think on that. Retail is $395-$450.
