Montana Fly Company (MFC) – Madison II Reel,
$220, http://www.montanafly.com/Camo/Reels.html.

Known in the industry for their wide offering of flies and their waterproof Guide Boat Box, MFC has released a line of quality reels featuring unique graphic anodized finishes. The Madison II is an attractive lightweight, large arbor reel that is offered in three sizes (4/5, 6/7 and 7/8) and seven different graphic finishes.

Function -
The Madison II is a ported out aluminum large arbor reel with a disc drag system, single hand spool release and aluminum drag knob. The spool has a “V-channel” design that allows for additional backing to be added to the spool without using up the available spool capacity needed for the fly line.

I took the Madison II (7/8) for a test drive this spring on my favorite smallmouth creek, Cow Creek, located just outside of Redding, California. Though the fishing wasn’t great, I had ample time casting as I covered the water in attempt to find the three pounders that were hammering  dragonflies the year previous. I found the reel to be surprisingly light for a 7/8 weight reel. The drag system is smooth and allows for fine adjustments. The knurled aluminum drag knob has a great feel and is easy to find while fighting fish.

Form –
The look of the Madison II makes this reel standout among others.  Graphic finishes include olive, bonefish, the trouts (brown, rainbow and brook) and the hard-to-find (grey camo and river rock). I found the reel’s finish to be like Gina Carano, beautiful and hardy. I banged the reel several times on rocks without marring it. Other reel manufacturer’s charge up to an additional $200 to provide the specialty graphic anodized finish that MFC provides standard in this reel.

MFC’s Madison II is a great blend of beauty and brains: an affordable, uniquely attractive reel with a design that does not compromise function.

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