Hardy Featherweight
The Hardy Featherweight fly reel is another iconic reel from the renowned Hardy Bros. of Alnwick, England, belonging to their classic “Lightweight Series.” It’s slightly larger than the Flyweight and designed for light line fishing, typically for trout in small to medium-sized streams and stillwaters. Like its sibling, it emphasizes simplicity, lightweight design, and the traditional feel of a click and pawl drag.
Key Features:
- Ultra-Lightweight Design: The Featherweight lives up to its name, being exceptionally light, usually weighing around 3.2 ounces. This minimizes fatigue and provides excellent balance with lighter fly rods, crucial for delicate presentations and sensitive feel.
- Classic Click and Pawl Drag System: Staying true to its heritage, the Featherweight employs a traditional click and pawl drag system. While not offering the powerful and finely adjustable resistance of modern disc drags, it provides ample protection against overruns when playing smaller fish and emits the characteristic pleasing clicker sound.
- Robust Bar Stock Aluminum Construction: Machined from high-quality 6061 bar stock aluminum, the Featherweight is built to last. This construction ensures strength and durability despite its minimal weight.
- Corrosion-Resistant Anodized Finish: The reel features a durable anodized finish, providing excellent protection against corrosion, making it suitable for use in various freshwater fishing environments.
- Simple and Reliable Design: The Featherweight is known for its straightforward and reliable design, with minimal moving parts. This simplicity contributes to its longevity and ease of maintenance.
- Easy Conversion for Left or Right Hand Retrieve: The reel can be easily switched between left and right-hand retrieve, accommodating the preferences of different anglers.
- Traditional Single Screw Line Guard: The classic single screw line guard is a signature element of Hardy’s Lightweight Series, adding to its vintage aesthetic.
- Supplied with a Protective Pouch: The reel typically comes with a soft pouch, often made of neoprene or a similar material, to protect it during storage and transport.
Specifications:
- Model: Featherweight
- Line Rating: 3/4 wt
- Weight: Approximately 3.2 oz (91g)
- Diameter: Around 2 7/8 inches
- Capacity: WF3 + 44 yards of 20lb backing or WF4 + 38 yards of 20lb backing (may vary slightly)
- Drag System: Click and Pawl
- Material: 6061 Bar Stock Aluminum
- Finish: Anodized
- Hand Retrieve: Convertible Left/Right
In summary, the Hardy Featherweight is a beloved classic, highly regarded for its incredibly light weight, simple yet robust construction, and the traditional feel of its click and pawl drag. It’s an ideal choice for anglers who prioritize a lightweight and balanced setup for light line fishing, particularly for trout in smaller streams and rivers. While it lacks the advanced drag technology of modern reels, its charm, reliability, and connection to fly fishing history make it a cherished piece of equipment for many anglers. It often pairs beautifully with classic bamboo or lightweight graphite rods, enhancing the overall fishing experience.
