Abel Reels, in partnership with onWater Fish, recently introduced a customized extension of its popular Abel Blue Line TR as part of the Blue Lining Project—a collaborative initiative with Airflo, onWater, and Trout Unlimited.
This limited-edition reel marks an industry first, integrating personalized river mapping with premium reel design. Anglers can now engrave the unique “blue lines” of their favorite river system directly onto their reel.Each reel is built with Abel’s proprietary Cerano Chaos Coating, which fuses durable ceramic coating with precision laser engraving. The Abel TR, a lightweight click-pawl reel designed specifically for trout fishing, delivers smooth performance and timeless simplicity on small to mid-sized streams.
“We’re proud to be the first to integrate personalized digital cartography with Abel’s precision machining and custom finishing for anglers,” said Jeff Wagner, CEO of Abel Reels. “This reel is not only durable and unique, it’s also deeply personal to every angler. It tells your story about your favorite section of river or bend. A huge thanks to OnWater for helping bring this concept to life—their app makes customization seamless and accessible for the entire Abel community.”
“This is the first time mobile geospatial tech and hard goods have come together like this in the outdoor industry,” said Alex Maier, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Product at onWater. “It’s not just about putting a map on a reel, it’s about creating something lasting and deeply personal. With Abel, we turned digital exploration into physical gear that tells a story. This kind of integration doesn’t happen without real collaboration, and we’re proud of what we built together. Now your waters live with you, on the water, in the app, and in your hand.”
As part of the Blue Lining Project, each reel purchase supports Trout Unlimited’s mission to protect and restore coldwater habitats. The project encourages anglers to explore thin, unpressured stretches of water, including hidden streams, forgotten creeks, and quiet rivers, while promoting conservation through responsible recreation. By guiding anglers to lesser-known waters, the initiative helps reduce pressure on heavily trafficked rivers and fosters a greater sense of environmental stewardship.
How to Customize
• Unlock 7-days of Plus access via www.onwaterapp.com
• Download the OnWater Fish App from your phone’s app store
• Tap the “+” Quick Action button and select Create Custom Abel Reel
• Search for your river, select your stretch, and toggle between satellite and reel
preview
• Choose your reel color and size, submit your design, and check out via Abel
• Add the Airflo Blue Line Superflo Smooth Universal Taper Fly Line to complete
your setup
