Purchasrd an Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor V a short while ago. Tried to buy spare spool for said reel online but was showing no longer available!? After contacting Orvis and asking why it was showing no longer available I received the following e-mail:
Dear Mr Turner

Thank you for your e-mail.
I aplogise but this reel was discontinued in 2007 and we have no more stock available in our warehouse or any retail store.

I aplogise for any inconvenience caused .

Now, had I purchased the reel PRIOR to that date I would have still been miffed but a bit more understanding. After purchasing AFTER that date though I am bloody angry. Thought there would have been something to let me know it was no longer in production/no spare spools BEFORE I purchased it. The annoying thing is reels/spools are still being made for the smaller IV and larger VI sizes!? This is my first gripe with Orvis as I have always found them to sell good products and excellent after sales service. Will now have to fork out for another reel to fit my #9 lines on!

This what you're after spruce

ORVIS BATTENKILL LA V SPARE FLY REEL SPOOL- BLACK - NEW on eBay (end time 17-Mar-10 01:40:51 GMT)

Spruce, Orvis have the best guarantee in the business and will replace or refund whatever the reason. If you want a more 'future proof' reel then speak to one of the shops or Orvis direct - they may take the reel back and you could get something from them that spools are still available for.

Looks like the latest model 2007 onwards.

Regards, V

__________________
"Perfection will do"

Where exactly did you buy the reel?

Orvis haven't had the old UK manufactured Battenkills for quite some time.

There are two types of Battenkill LA, those previously made in the UK and those current models made in China. Both have a different design and spools are not interchangeable.

If you purchased the old style in a V, then I asssure you there are no I, II, III, IV or VI either, only in the newer model.

I can't see how Orvis can be to blame here.

The Pirate.

__________________
Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

http://www.soniksports.com/

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines...unkistbob.html

PP

I see from the Orvis web site that they now only refer to BLAI, II or III in the current model.

Fly Fishing Reels for Trout / Battenkill Large Arbor Trout Reel -- Orvis UK

Your question about where this reel was bought is surely significant.

Jeff

__________________
Location - Just outside of Nottingham - Robin Hood country!

Here they are Jeff, they are under a separate listing now.

Fly Fishing Reels / Battenkill Large Arbor Big Game Reel -- Orvis UK

IV, V & VI therefore still available in the new style.

The Pirate.

__________________
Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

http://www.soniksports.com/

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines...unkistbob.html

Stewart, I purchased the reel from Orvis U.K. web site not more than 2 seasons ago, as I stated in my original post, obviously this was AFTER 2007 when they were replaced as I now understand by a different model with a larger drag system. There was no way of knowing I had not purchased the later version, indeed I did not know there was a later version! Just went online and got it! I visit the site on a very regular basis and that particular page has not altered as far as I can see from when the reel was purchased. until recently when it states that "they are no longer available"
You state "I can't see how Orvis can be to blame here." Well, with the facts I have stated I can't see how I can be to blame either. Interestingly I have had this response today from Orvis, which goes to underline what I first stated about them having great after sales service, and I quote:

"Dear Mr Turner

Thank you for your email

The larger sizes of the BKLA reel (IV,V,VI) had their drag system changed to a bigger drag. This meant that the old spools wouldn't fit onto the new version of the reel.

As we are unable to source any of the spools to fit your reel we would like to offer you a free upgrade to the new BKLA V. If you would like to take us up on this offer please return the reel & any spools you have to the following address with a covering letter:
FAO Kellie McPhee
Orvis Co Inc
Clearwater House
Unit 28 North Way
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 5RW

We apologise for any inconvenience caused

Kindest & Best Regards
Kellie"

Excellent as Ever, Fantastic Customer Service from Orvis.

Stewart, no seperate listing, they have always been there. That is the page I purchased my BKLA V from, also a BKLA IV. I rang them today to try and clarify the situation and this is the outcome. Yes I have purchased the old model and I have also purchased the old model IV, both inadvertently,from the current link you show above. The picture shows the new 4 spoke design but the listings to the right, where you select/add to bag are in fact the old models. In a nutshell, Orvis have been selling the old models on the current web site. The spools are also of the old design. Orvis very kindly offered to also exchange my IV for a new model but instead I purchased the last 2 size IV black spools from the web site. Am I barmy? Probably, but I think the reel is great in it's present guise and will outlast me anyway. I can assure you if you own any of the later models and had purchased a new spool from the same web page it would not have fitted as they are the old type. Similarly like me if you had got a reel it would have been the old model. Orvis to blame, you say? Definitely yes but they have admitted so and offered to replace my existing reels/spools. Not many, if any, companies have such great after sales service.