If you have ever stepped foot into a fly-fishing shop, you have more than likely been in the presence of two of the industry’s most popular and trusted brands: Abel Reels and Ross Reels. These are two subsidiaries of Montrose-based Mayfly Outdoors. With their recent expansion to a 41,000-square-foot facility on the Uncompahgre River inside the Colorado Outdoors Project, Mayfly Outdoors is looking forward to being even more connected to its community and beyond.

“Abel and Ross Reels are heralded in the industry. With Ross Reels staring in the 70s and Abel in the 80s, they have always enjoyed a good reputation,” says Jeff Patterson, director of sales for Abel Reels, Ross Reels and Ariflo.

Reels from both brands are made entirely in the United States and in their Mayfly factories, so the company can ensure their brands will always take care of their customers.

“Our brand loyalty and reputation has always been there with the performance of our products being second to none and our team has an incredibly high work ethic,” says Patterson.

Another unique aspect of proaction is how they do their own anodizing for products. Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface to a decorative, durable corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. They kept the anodizing factory in California and there are still 20 full-time employees at the facility. Abel has a custom anodizing program so you can make your next reel totally personal to your taste.

When Mayfly Outdoors combined the two powerhouse brands into one factory in western Colorado, they quickly outgrew the space. “Abel crashed the existing Ross factory,” says Patterson. Faced with where to build a new factory, the team quickly decided they wanted to stay in Montrose and continue to grow with a place they love.

“Aside from additional opportunities for the job market in western Colorado, we have a handful of employees who have been with the company for 15 to 20 years. We have skilled employees and that shows in our products,” says Patterson.

In March of 2019, they opened the doors to their new space. It is a state-of-the-art facility with plenty of room to create an amazing experience for anyone who visits. They have kids events on the onsite pond, and with the river restoration in progress they are creating a two-mile catch and release section open to the public.

“It is the whole small town aspect we enjoy,” Patterson says.

With a Montrose Pavilion partnership, Mayfly also helped bring the Fly-Fishing Film Tour to town. They hope to draw in locals and visitors from out of town.

“Other manufacturers come, and it becomes a mini trade show,” he adds.

Airflo is one of the most recent subsidiaries under Mayfly Outdoors. Airflo is a fly line company from Europe that has enjoyed the same reputation internationally as Abel and Ross Reels have in the U.S. Keeping the original team on in Europe will maintain the quality users have come to expect from Airflo.

“We are very excited to combine forces with our U.S. abilities and their international abilities. It is going to help both brands. We owe it to everyone in the industry to go about this in the right way,” says Patterson.

It is very important for Mayfly Outdoors to have not only a great line-up of products, but to always have something innovative and new. Whether it is a new model or an accessory, Mayfly Outdoors feels it is key to always provide something fresh for the consumer. Both brands have something new planned for August 2020.

Learn more at mayflyoutdoors.com.

Gear Profile: Mayfly Outdoors