In my opinion, Redington's BEHEMOTH fly reel is one of the most striking fly reels on the market. Because of this, when I received word last summer that Redington was revamping their RISE lineup of reels, I was expecting great things in terms of both visuals and substance. As expected, when I finally saw these reels for the first time there wasn't an ounce of disappointment. Delivering an appearance drastically different than the previous version, only one question remained: how does the new RISE reel function? I recently got to fish a bit with a 5/6 model to find out!

Line Size: 5/6

Weight: 4.6 ounces

Diameter: 3.6 inches

Backing Capacity: 100yds/20lb

Drag: Carbon Fiber (not fully sealed)

Machined/Cast: Machined

Easy Release Spool: Yes

Colors: Silver, Black, Amber

Reel Pouch: Yes

Price: $199.95

First things first: the looks and features! Comprised of CNC-Machined 6061-T6 aluminum, our test reel looked to be built with care. The fit and finish didn't disappoint, as there were no sharp edges or unsightly manufacturing blemishes to be seen. An obvious attribute of all new RISE reels is their generous porting. The very "open" design makes these reels not only look pretty rad, but helps them deliver light weights as well. Along with an impressive look are features like a U-shaped large arbor, soft-touch handle, push-button spool release, carbon fiber drag system, and an easy-to-grab rear drag knob.

Cranking the RISE produces a mellow clicking sound, while the drag clicks with a very similar tone. The drag system may be compact, but it's plenty powerful at the highest setting. As line was pulled off the spool, our original test reel was a little bumpy, particularly at higher settings. Since the drag is not fully sealed, I'm thinking this inconsistency could be blamed on the drag surfaces being slightly contaminated by a previous tester. Why do I say this? I was recently able to use a fresh, brand-spanking-new RISE, and its drag was impressively smooth and consistent right out of the box! The rear knob adjusts with soft but audible clicks and goes from zero to full power in slightly over two revolutions.

Every reel includes a lifetime warranty along with a nylon pouch and is available in black, silver, or a unique amber color scheme. The 5/6 will set you back $199.95 while a 5/6 spare spool will run $99.95. Click through the gallery below for more pictures and some additional thoughts!

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