Hardy Reels Revealed
From their origins in gunsmithing, Hardy applies their exacting techniques to make world-class quality fly reels. Until their recent fly rod launch, Hardy did only one thing, and they still do it really well. Fly reels. Buyers of Hardy reels tend to be selective in their purchasing, but then never turn back. Beyond the marketing hype, here’s exactly what Hardy reel are made of.
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About Hardy Reels
Hardy is based in Alnwick, England, the homeplace of their founder William Hardy, a gunsmith. Founded in 1872, it wasn’t too long thereafter that Hardy Co. changed tracks from gun making to fly fishing reels. The first Hardy Perfect fly reel was designed and built by 1891, which became an industry benchmark for years to come. Building on England’s rich fly fishing history, many of the Hardy fly reels retain traditional designs even as the company has pressed the industry forward with it’s modern materials, designs, and innovations.
Overview of Hardy Reels & Our Top 3 Picks
It’s one thing to consider reels across brands, but even within a brand there’s a lot to consider when choosing the fly reel that will meet your needs and budget. We’ve done a ton of research to compile information we think you’ll need, as experienced anglers, to get you the information you need in one place.
The following table summarizes our more detailed reviews below, with our top 3 picks, in terms of value and features for your dollar – for the function it is designed for – highlighted with an asterisk.*
| Name | Image | Summary | Check Price And Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ultraclick |  |
If you like the traditional simple click drag mechanism, but in a modern all-metal ultralight design, this ones for you. |  |
| 2. ASR Ultralight * |  |
Pushing the boundaries of ultra light, features a fully enclosed line guard for ultra thin line designs and leader-only systems. |  |
| 3. Ultradisk UDLA |  |
Multi-pad disc drag, unregulated for running lines, innovative frame for ultra thin fly lines & leader-only. | |
| 4. Marquis LWT |  |
A re-modeled Hardy classic, with improved porting, regulation range, and indented regulator button. | |
| 5. Ultralight CADD |  |
Hardy’s finest freshwater reel, aluminum barstock 6061 construction, stunning design, colour coded drag. | |
| 6. Duchess |  |
Classic style, split cage frame, dual line guards, ambidextrous, adjustable click check, wood handle. | |
| 7. Zane Carbon |  |
For saltwater flats, large arbor, sealed disc drag with hard indent for accurate adjustments during battle with bonefish to tarpon. | |
| 8. Ultralight MTX |  |
Strong hybrid carbon fiber alloy, light & stunning, 340 deg color coded regulator, captive spool release, high capacity. | |
| 9. Ultralight MTX-S * |  |
Same ultra strong yet lightweight design as the MTX, just designed for saltwater. | |
| 10. Bougle |  |
118 years old classic, rolling pillar, reversible click check, naval brass bush & spindle, “pearl silver” finish, sweet sound, sheepskin case. | |
| 11. Ultralite SDSL Saltwater |  |
For saltwater, carbon fiber disc drag generates 16# of pressure, controlled by 340-deg color-coded regulator. | |
| 12. Wide Spool Perfect * |  |
From the first patent in 1989, improvements to this beautiful classic fly reels every year. | |
| 13. Cascopedia |  |
Known for its classic sound, comes in a 4-size range covering every fresh water application from trout to Spey, | |
| 14. 1939 Bougle | |
Collectors item, tribute to rare originals last made in 1939. Mark II check mechanism, dark gun metal finish. | |
| 15. Fortuna XDS |  |
Ultimate combio of strength, power and reliability, for picking fights with trophy fish,30lb+ stopping power. | |
| 16. Narrow Spool Perfect |  |
The classic Perfect reintroduced for limited time with narrow spool Hand specific, polished rotating line guard. | |
| 17. Limited Edition Wide-Spool Perfect |  |
Rare opportunity, the classic Perfect® with beautiful Charles Jardine original artwork, limited to 150 pieces. | |
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Detailed Reviews of Hardy Fly Reels
Each of our reviews is designed to get you all the information you need, in one place, so you can be confident in your choice of the best Hardy reel. Our reviews are listed roughly in order from lowest to highest price, as is the summary table above.
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1. Hardy Ultraclick Fly Reel
What this reel excels at:
- Trout fishing size and capacity
- Ultralight design, among lightest available
- Enclosed line guard for ultra-light fly lines and leader-only systems
- Small streams and ponds (not requiring backing or long fights)
Models, design specifications, and features at a glance:
While many fly reel makers are putting out “ultralight” reels, few have made them as light, at the same time strong, angler-friendly than Hardy. at the time this reel was first put out, Hardy had successfully made the lightest reel for trout ever. While we’ve not been able to determine if it is still the lightest, it is at least among the lightest ever still based on our reviews. The sparse design, based on “intelligent porting” (placement of holes relative to struts) has resulted in a reel that is spartan in weight yet still carries the features needed to be effective.
This Hardy fishing reel is sought after by those using ultra-thin lines and leader only systems, including Euro-nymphing setups, because of the enclosed line guard that prevents line damage and tangling. As a result, whether choosing this for a backcountry trip, or just wanting performance without the weight, the Ultraclick is versatile across freshwater small stream and pond trout and panfish waters.
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2. Hardy Ultralight ASR Fly Reel
What this reel excels at:
- Excellent for line change-outs on the water
- Saltwater friendly – fully sealed drag system
- Lightweight frame and reel
- User-friendly design
Models, design specifications, and features at a glance:
Hardy’s goal for this reel was to make the lightest possible fly reel for every use from freshwater to heavy-duty saltwater angling. To accomplish this feat, they designed a hybrid high impact composite cassette spool, combined with bar stock aluminum 6061 frame. Insert a fully sealed, disc drag system that performs despite its relative light weight, yet also has a large arbor for efficient retrieval and lots of line. The assisted spool release allows for really easy line changes – on the water. Overall, this particular Hardy fly reel is one of the best combinations of performance, weight, and user-friendly features we have seen.
.Additional Hardy Fly Reels & Spare Spools
Hardy continues to put out quality reels, including the additional models and spare spools below. We are adding reviews to this article, so check back soon for updates and additional Hardy fly reels!
- Hardy Marquis LWT Fly Reel
- Hardy Duchess Fly Reel
- Hardy Zane Carbon Fly Reel
- Hardy Ultralite MTX Fly Reel
- Hardy Bougle Fly Reel
- Hardy Ultralite MTX-S Fly Reel
- Hardy Cascapedia Fly Reel
- Hardy Wide Spool Perfect Fly Reel
- Hardy Cascapedia Fly Reel
- Hardy 1939 Bougle Fly Reel
- Hardy Narrow Spool Perfect Fly Reel
- Hardy Limited Edition Wide Spool Perfect Fly Reel
Spare Spools:
- Hardy Ultralite CADD Spare Spool 1
- Hardy Ultralite MTX-S Spare Spool
By Mark Velicer
An avid fly fisher for over 40 years, Mark has lived and fly fished WA, MI, CA, PA and NY along with countless trips to other places. He can’t get enough of the water, loves white water kayaking, rafting, drift boating, and hiking to alpine lakes.
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