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Waterworks-Lamson Guru Series II Fly Reel Review – A Lifetime Investment
Waterworks-Lamson, a US machine producing company that began in 1996 has consistently been in the limelight due to its top-notch products – reels, rods and accessories. Exquisite and classy, the reels produced are relatively cheaper hence tops the affordability list.
Reels are highly unswerving and brag of broadness in terms of diameter rendering the spool slimmer. These aspects in turn make the reel’s entire weight lesser.
Geometrically, the spool is up to date to unveil the porting that leads to a drastic reduction in weight and skyrockets retrieve proportions. Line drying is boosted and fully fits in the equalizer. Advancement in technology has seen Waterworks-Lamson emphasis on the reel’s structural steadiness by introducing a cross-section that is artistically curved.
Waterworks-Lamson Guru Series II Fly Reel tops the market when it comes to the fishing world and its technical aspect. The reception by the current market is positive and thousands of reels have been purchased until now.
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Quick Post Navigation
- Main Features of the Guru Series II Fly Reel
- Other aspects of the Guru II
- Customers’ thoughts on the Guru II
- Pros – Things that shine on the Guru II!
- Cons – Things that are not so cool!
- FAQ’s – Questions about the Waterworks-Lamson Guru Series II Fly Reel
- Alternative reels at a similar price bracket to the Guru II
- Final verdict – Is the Guru II Fly Reel worth a second look?
Main Features of the Guru Series II Fly Reel
• Extra smooth drag system – The drag system conical in shape and patented is uninterrupted due to the conical element used alongside it making the dragging process smooth enough during work.
• Exquisite design – Made with a huge arbor, the reel can highly withstand the lengthiest run thanks to the speedy retrieval rate and regular drag rotation. Aesthetically the patented aluminum with steel make the reel classic and stand out. Remains in style always.
• Durability – Aluminum is among the strongest metals in existence that is why Waterworks-Lamson chose it because of its immense strength and stability it offers. This aspect translates to its long-lasting nature. More, so the patent used on the reel makes it rust-free
• Light weight – Waterworks-Lamson Guru Series II Fly Reel is made in a signature arm design on its frame that is responsible for its super lightweight. Portability is a plus.
• Intact leader and line – The spinning transmissions from the lash roller clutch Torrington zero do not shock the leader and line. Remaining intact means reduced chances of damages.
• Bearable sound. Waterworks-Lamson Guru Series II Fly Reel fully clicks in both directions it minds the health of your ears.
• Easy to use – Although Guru offers a user manual, you need no prior experience to fix the reel. The spool is easy and quick to change because mechanically it is well machined.
• Comfortable – Lengthy handles are flat and comfortable. No stress and strain on your back while using this reel.
• Seal mechanism – Totally sealed, the drag system is fully protected from grit and sand particles and any moisture traps. This prevents chances of rusting and adds to its durability.
• Stress free cleaning – No special attention is needed during cleaning and maintenance. Simply rinse after use. No detergent or cleanser is needed.
Other aspects of the Guru II
Material and treatment – Waterworks-Lamson Guru Series II Fly Reel is made from Machined 6061 Aluminum and stainless steel. Finished with Type ii Anodize that is clear adds to a cleaner look.
Wood handles – The wooded handles are made flat enough and lengthier to offer maximum comfort while using and prevent you from straining and back pains. This aspect makes it usable for longer hours.
Drag system – Guru Fly reel has a perfect drag system that is conical and patented and uses conical elements that are matched. As a result, the drag system becomes smooth and uninterrupted. The drag system is fully protected and sealed preventing any grit or sand particles from getting into it. Moisture too can’t enter the system. All these make cleaning and maintenance easy. What’s needed is a clean rinse after use.
Capacity – The backing Capacity of this reel is 150 yards 20lb with a Fly line weight of 7WF
Weight – Having a weight of 5.08 ounces (Guru 3, 7 weight), this reel is relatively light making it easy and to carry around.
Customers’ thoughts on the Guru II
The seal mechanism is 100% guaranteed and offered more protection to the drag system. Despite the spool being easy to change, some of the ports are missing on this reel although some find this an artistic touch.
The drag knob is sometimes difficult to hold and adjust.
A lifetime warranty at a very low fee of $30 shipping and handling is among the best aspects of the Guru series reels.
Pros – Things that shine on the Guru II!
• Relatively cheap yet one gets value for money spent
• Extra smooth drag system
• Strong and durable
• Easy to change spool
• Fully sealed and protected seal mechanism on the drag system
• Light in weight
• Greatly reduces weight
• Lifetime warranty at reduced cost
Cons – Things that are not so cool!
• The finish is not as smooth as the higher priced reels
• Some ports are missing on this reel could reduce weight more
• Drag knob is difficult to hold and adjust at times
• Amount of start-up inertia is high
FAQ’s – Questions about the Waterworks-Lamson Guru Series II Fly Reel
Q) About the drag, what type is it and how can you explain its functionality?
A) Waterworks has a good conical shaped drag shape that makes it smooth and definitely fully functional.
Q) What size is the arbor on this reel?
A) The reel has a large arbor and this size is the commonest among so many brands.
Q) Tired of buying Rusty reels. Is this one among the ones that rust?
A) No. The engineering process of this reel is very delicate with the patent from Waterworks making it highly protected against any form of corrosion.
Q) Is the spool changeable?
A) Yes. The spool is very easy to change
Q) I want a sealed drag. Does this one have a sealed drag?
A) This reel has a completely sealed drag system that protects it from the effect of sand, grit and any other inhibitors saving you a lot on maintenance.
Q) I am concerned about the inertia levels. Can you clarify?
A) Unfortunately the inertia levels of this reel are a little high compared to other reels. Despite this, it works excellently.
Q) More on the warranty. How long does it cover my reel?
A) You get a lifetime warranty on the reel that will cater for repairs, servicing and replacement.
Q) I read that some ports are missing on this reel. Does it affect performance?
A) Yes, some ports are missing on this reel however, there are no complaints of it affecting the reel’s performance whatsoever.
Q) How much does this reel weigh? I. Looking for something lighter. Above 5 ounces but not past 6 ounces.
A) This reel is light in weight and is 5.08 ounces. Definitely within your range.
Q) What is the backing capacity of the reel and the fly line weight?
A) The reel has a backing of 150 yards 20 lbs. and a fly line weight of 7WF.
Alternative reels at a similar price bracket to the Guru II
In case you find this specific reel out of stock on your online shops some good alternatives are the Redington RISE Fly Fishing Reel, the Orvis Hydros Sl Fly Reel or HARDY Ultralite MA Reel. They all work perfectly like this trout reel and you still get value for every buck spent.
Final verdict – Is the Guru II Fly Reel worth a second look?
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Fishing gets real fun with the Waterworks-Lamson Guru Fly Reel. The easy to change spool saves you time and stress leaving you energized for your outdoor adventures. Count on the durability of this reel since the mechanized aluminum used during manufacture offers it maximum strength and stability. The anodized patent makes it rust free so worry not if your nearest lake is saline.
The lifetime warranty upon purchase is attached to a $30 shipping and handling fee and gives you an assurance of repairs, servicing sessions and replacement. This feature of the Waterworks-Lamson Guru Fly Reel is to die for. Purchasing it means making a lifetime investment.
Guru did not fail on this one. Its design is on another level. The signature arm design is executive and stylish. If you are a lover of class and style, this is the perfect reel to spend your money on. Bet me your friends by the shore will get jealous.
Effective enough, the drag system is smooth to enhance reliability and convenience even in the longest runs. The seal mechanism used on it offers maximum protection to the system extending its lifespan. If you need the perfect reel that is always at your service, works efficiently and gives you value for your money, get yourself a Waterworks-Lamson Guru Fly Reel.
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About Author
Hi Mark,
The Guru is a very impressive fly fishing reel! Lamson seems like they are trying to make them much lighter than the other high end fly reels I’ve seen. And, I’m sold on the lifetime warranty.
The problem I’ve seen with most of the top name reels is the weight. They just seem to be out of balance with my rod. And, I sometimes find that the action is not as smooth as I would have expected.
I like the looks of this Guru reel but, I do have a couple questions.
Can I change retrieve from left to right?
How does the seal mechanism hold up to saltwater fishing?
I really am going to have to take a closer look at the Lamson Guru – especially, since my old Shakespeare Trout HF is not as agile and functional as it used to be.
Jim
Hey Jim you can indeed change from left to right and its easy enough to do. The reel also has a sealed drag system and ideal for salt water to keep the salt out of the internals and damage to the reel. Like all aspects of sea fishing though a decent rinse off in freshwater is required to ensure no salt is lying on your equipment that may impair the next outing.
I have always had an interest in Fly fishing but always thought it would be hard to learn so I have never tried it. I promised myself I would try to learn over the winter this year and give it a try. I really don’t want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a complete set up though. Would you recommend this reel for a beginner like myself or are there cheaper options that you like? I don’t want to totally cheap out but I also don’t want to spend a fortune. I surf cast on the ocean most of the time because the Atlantic is basically my front yard but I see a lot of fly fishermen practicing on the beach in the off season. I signed up for your news letter and I look forward to learning more about fly fishing. Please let me know if you think this reel will be a good fit for a rookie like myself.
Thank You
Jason
Hi Jason, the Guru would be better when you have been at the sport for a while and you want to upgrade. For the same kind of money the Guru will cost you a full combo kit can be bought like the Clearwater Combo by Orvis. So not only do you get the reel but rod, fly line and leader too. All you need is a few flies and your ready to go. It also has a 25 year warranty on the rod so you are covered if it breaks by accident.
I’m quite the sporadic fisherman, mostly when invited by friends – and I’ve always had problems changing the spool. It’s gotten me really frustrated. With the spool that can be changed easily, I’m thinking of getting the Guru II Fly reel for one of my best friends who is a semi-serious fisherman. I think he’ll get a kick out of its light weight and ease of use, along with the easy to change spool. And then when I go fishing with him, I can use HIS Guru II Fly reel!
Thanks for sharing!
Great post! I am an avid surf angler myself but have always had a keen interest in Fly Fishing, it has always attracted me as a more tranquil art. Even though I went through the cons of the reel you have there it still looks like a solid reel with an awesome finish. Ive heard of guys I fish with going for sea bass with a Fly rig, any tips? Great article and I enjoyed the read.
Hey Glen, Sea Bass are susceptible to Cloisters and Popper lure patterns. With these flies being heavy and large you will need at least a weight 8 setup to be able to cast them well in the shore winds. The Guru would be perfect for this ( just make sure to go for the 8 weight version) as it has a sealed drag keeping it protected from the salt water. Just make sure to rinse it out afterwards with fresh water.
This was a very detailed review of the Lamson Guru Series ll fly Reel. You gave so much information onthe Guru series ll. I love to fish and the artical reminds me that in need to biy this Guru series ll and go fishing. I really appreciate how this article is simplified but informative.
Thank you again I really appreciate your review.
Mark, I really enjoyed the article. The reel seems like something any fly fisherman should check out. It’s really cool that it’s so easy to use and to clean. People will be much more likely to clean it when the process is so quick and simple, thus the product will last a lot longer.
Thank you for your honesty when noting the cons of the product. It’s good to have the whole picture when looking to purchase a product.
Glad I could help Taylor, it really is a worthy reel to include in our list of best fly fishing reels
I really enjoyed reading the article you have about the reel. I am a very active bass fisherman but have always wanted to try fly fishing, it seems pretty interesting to me. Now that I have read through your site I am going to check out some of the products and hopefully give fly fishing a try in the near future!
Great to hear Austin, fly fishing is a great pastime and as you are already used to fishing it shouldn’t take you much time to get into the swing of things.
My dad’s birthday coming soon. Me and my brother was looking for a present for quite some time. I remembered how much he loves fishing and now we have our present. I am sure he will be happy upgrading his rod with this awesome reel. Thank you for your review, it helped us a lot!
No worries Dan it will work a treat on any rod just match the line rating.
I am not a fisher. I never knew there is so much emphasis on fishing before reading your article. I can fly kite and I deeply understand that a good kite axis can control well of the line. The bad kite axis always makes the line messy.it’s easy to imagine the same when fishing. In particular, the fishing line is wet. I think the article is very helpful.
Raino
Have flown a few kites in my time Raino, I see what you mean by line management. Having a decent fly fishing reel will help in putting down the line well on the spool keeping it in good order for the next fishing session.
I don’t fish often, but, I know it can be a lot of fun. Having such a very good fishing equipment is a must and I think it will make fishing easier and hence, more fun. Thanks to this review, I must say that I have learned about the guru series fly reel. Whenever I am going out on some major fishing with a few friends I will be sure to let them know about this device and have one for myself.
The Guru is a great fly fishing reel. Waterworks-Lamson have done a good job in manufacturing this reel. The sealed drag system is very good and will help you catch almost any type of fish.
No problem on the review hope you have fun with the reel, tight lines!
This was one of the better reviews I’ve seen on fishing equipment. This product sounds perfect for me. it’s been a while since I’ve fished, but I get more time off from work so I was planning to take up the habit again now that the kids are out of the house. I’m glad I stumbled onto this review.