"Jack Schmitt" wrote in message
. ..
snip
Another great American company sent out of the country. A crying shame.

Jack in Tennessee
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Jack, if you like American-made reels, then you're really going to
appreciate hearing about Ardent Reels
(http://www.ardentoutdoors.com/index.asp).

This Missouri company manufactures the only high-performance, high-quality
U.S.-made reel on the market today. I had a chance to test their casting
reel in October at Paris Landing on Kentucky Lake. Using identical Airrus
rods, and with reels loaded with the same line, I was able to easily cast
identical spinnerbaits 20% farther with the XS Ardent reel than I could a
new Curado (MSRP $199.99) or my BPS Johnny Morris Signature Series
baitcasting reel (also a decent reel, MSRP $199.99, on sale now for
$149.99).

Ardent includes a 3-year warranty on their reels, which surpasses any other
reel, too. Very smooth operation, backlash-resistant, comfortable to grip,
the casting reel features a swing-away palm side plate for easy access to
the centrifugal brakes. When you get a chance to handle one of these, open
it up and see how they designed the braking system. In my judgment, it's
better than the Shimano design or variations on that theme that is used by
other companies.

Ardent is bringing out their spinning reel in 2007, and in talking to their
director, it sounds like they are shooting for best-in-class on this reel as
well. So, unless you're in a rush to buy a spinning reel, you have something
to look forward to.

By the way; price on the XS casting reel is $249.99. You can pick up a 2006
reel (which is identical except that it uses a hex nut to open the side
plate while the 2007 has a push-button release) for $50 less.

Joe