Put Your Favorite River on Your Reel: Abel x onWater Custom Reel Review

Over the last couple of seasons, I’ve found myself spending more time with conventional fishing setups and bass boats and less time wearing waders and throwing flies. My job, proximity to good streams, and other factors have all played a part. But it hit me how badly I miss the serenity of fly fishing and the escape it provides from the daily grind.

When the opportunity came to test Abel’s new TR fly reel, I jumped at the offer. It offered a reason to prioritize time on the water and, more importantly, motivate me to prioritize fly fishing again. I’ve spent the last few weeks chasing bass and panfish on metro lakes, wading into the Mississippi, and seeking out small streams further away from home in search of trout.

In short: The new Blue Line Project TR from Abel Reels offers more than just high-end performance. You can add the iconic blue line topo of your favorite river system right onto your reel. Build a customer reel, support conservation, and go “blue lining” with the onWater app to find new places to fish.

Abel x onWater Custom Reel Review

First Impressions

If you use an iPhone, then you know what I mean when I say that unboxing something new can be an experience. And boy, opening the Blue Line Project TR was an experience. Everything was dialed from start to finish, right down to the included reel case adorned with the Colorado State symbol. And then you get to the reel itself, and it is an absolute stunner.

The onWater blue line topo looks dynamic against the black reel, putting itself into a whole different category for me. The blue handle and understated Abel branding are the icing on the cake.

And there is something about the unapologetic sound of a click-pawl fly reel. It sounds right, like the sound of a fire crackling as you drift off to sleep, or when you wake up and can hear bacon sizzling in the other room. And the feel when you turn it over is smoother than calm waters at dawn. Needless to say, I was itching to get on the water and put it to the test immediately.

The Blue Line Project: Abel x onWater

The Blue Line Project is a collaboration between Abel Reels and the onWater app. It blends a premium level of craftsmanship from Abel reels with digital innovation and conservation through onWater. Anglers have the opportunity to customize Abel’s limited-edition Blue Line TR reel with a laser-engraved map of their favorite river — built directly through the onWater app — turning the reel into a personal keepsake.

Equally as important, the Blue Line initiative encourages exploration of lesser-known “blue line” waters, helping to relieve pressure on popular fisheries. The term “blue lining” comes from the blue lines that you can follow within the onWater app that outline rivers and streams in intricate detail.

Additionally, each purchase of the Abel Blue Line TR includes a free year of onWater+ and contributes to Trout Unlimited’s efforts to protect fisheries, making the reel both a statement piece and a meaningful investment.

The Process

The process is simple and takes place on the onWater site. You share your email, and then access to the build page is accessed via a code in your inbox. From there, you have the option to choose between a black or white base reel color before proceeding to choose your favorite river within the onWater app. You “drag and drop” the area of the river system you want to show on your reel and confirm the design.

There are additional options to add titanium components, as well as Airflo line and line weights. Finally, you choose your reel weight (ranging from ⅔ to ⅚) and you’re on your way.

My reel was delivered in about 3 weeks. I dropped by Mend Provisions to have them add backing line, added a floating line and tippet, and hit the water.

The Abel Blue Line TR: Put to the Test

I’ve been using my Abel Blue Line TR since late summer, and fishing it for everything from bass and pike to panfish and trout. My proximity to good trout streams is limited while living in a metropolitan area, so I took to the local metro lakes to get some reps in with the reel chasing hungry Bass and passing Northern Pike.

Immediately, you can feel that this is a high-quality reel, highlighted by the click-and-pawl sound that hits like a rare songbird right out of the gate. If for nothing else, I love it for the sound it makes. Combining this with their classic aesthetic, it’s hard to deny that this reel is special.

Sounds Good, Looks Good, Reels Good

It’s more than just a sound and alluring aesthetic, though. The reel has almost no startup inertia when a bigger fish takes your fly and starts ripping line. It makes for a smooth bite-to-fight experience and makes you feel connected to the fish.

Adding to the traditional look and feel of this reel, it relies on manual drag to slow a fish down. There is a pronounced palming ring that is deliberately shaped to control drag pressure in whatever fishing condition you find yourself in — no adjustment needed.

The reel handled all of the trout and panfish I caught, which, to be fair, isn’t saying a ton. Panfish and trout near home aren’t exactly massive. They are fun to chase and a blast to catch, but don’t necessarily strain gear.

However, when catching sporty bass on the lakes, it was a joy to feel an immediate connection to the fish and feel the reel smoothly letting out line while I eased on the pressure with my palm. The sound and sensation just feel right.

The reel is lightweight and has an integrated “precision-balanced clicker” on the spool that eliminates the need for a counterweight, adding to the no-frills look. The large arbor helps in keeping memory from the line and improves the retrieval rate when you’re ripping line back in as quickly as you can. The simplicity and quality craftsmanship of the Abel TR are evident right out of the box, and they set this reel apart from the masses.

Nothing Is Perfect

There’s a lot to love about the Blue Line Project TR, but there are a few things a potential buyer should know before getting in too deep. Firstly, the reel is only available in ⅔, ¾, and ⅘. There are no options larger than that, and it doesn’t appear that it will change.

For the majority of my fly fishing adventures close to home, that’s no biggie. However, for anglers in areas with consistently bigger fish, this may be limiting. The steelhead run in Minnesota is one of my favorite times of year to get out fishing, and unfortunately, this reel will have to stay home for that trip.

Second, it is worth mentioning that the arbor on the reel is a little shallow, limiting how much backing can be put on the reel. I went into Mend Provisions to have the backing added, and the shop owner brought up the same thing. It’s not a huge issue as long as you know what you’re getting into beforehand.

Finally, it’s expensive: $695 puts it into the top-end category for a reel, and you’re still looking at further purchases of a rod, backing, line, etc, to hit the water. I would love it if there were a more budget-friendly option to supplement this reel for those who want to be involved with the Blue Line Project but don’t have the coin. That being said, this is a custom reel from one of the most reputable reel brands in the industry, and custom is never cheap.

Final Thoughts

A custom reel for over $600 isn’t for everybody, and that’s expected. If you are someone who can shop in this price range, the Blue Line Project TR is worth considering. Abel crafts it with precision in Colorado, and the purchase sends a portion straight to Trout Unlimited.

Not only do you get a high-end reel from Abel, but you also add a custom reel that is unique to you to your arsenal. With additional access to the onWater app, you may just find a new honey hole that’s off the beaten path.