Cutting through the Black Canyon on the Western Slope of Colorado, and only 10 miles from the Ross Reels factory, the storied Gunnison river inspired the name for one of the most iconic, reliable, and best-selling fly reels ever produced.

As a tribute to the original aesthetics, the Gunnison is designed with octagonal machining, round porting, and a leader groove on the frame. That is where the similarities part ways, as the new Gunnison represents the best in modern reel design while retaining all the reliability and ruggedness of the original.

While the unique frame geometry and spool profile echo the original Gunnison, the contemporary porting and large arbor design make this a modern, bulletproof package with retro styling. The Gunnison also has a high-performance drag based on the same platform as the new Evolution LTX, creating a reliable and powerful system impervious to the elements.

At the end of the day, replacing what was the favorite (and in many cases the first) fly reel of so many anglers was a daunting task. These were huge shoes to fill, but the new Ross Reels Gunnison has risen to the occasion.

FULLY MACHINED COMPONENTS

Truly unique machined frame and spool reminiscent of the original Gunnison

Machined canvas phenolic handle reduces weight and adds grip

Frame / Spool made from a 6061-T6 proprietary aluminum alloy made specifically engineered for Ross Reels

HIGH-PERFORMANCE DRAG SYSTEM

Based on the stacked-disc system found in the Evolution LTX, creating extreme pressure in a small package

QUICK RELEASE SPOOL

Fully machined for increased strength and easy left-hand to right-hand retrieve conversion

ULTRA DURABLE RETRO-MODERN DESIGN

Perfect balance of classic Gunnison design, modern machining, and technology

AVAILABLE COLORS

Black

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

Fishing in the salt is a grueling endeavor. The conditions are tough, and the fish can be even tougher; so we developed the Evolution R Salt to stand up to anything the sea can throw at it.

The Evolution R is the culmination of our engineers’ and machinists’ artistic and technical prowess. It features a fully sealed carbon fiber drag with an industry-best power-to-weight ratio. Encased in a super lightweight frame, all models are less than 5.2 oz. The innovative shape of the ultra-large arbor spool is engineered to force the even winding of the line across the face of the spool as it is retrieved – something never before seen in a fly reel.

Machining a fly reel is as much art as it is skill. Just as a perfect loop flying over the water is a thing of beauty crafted by the caster, the Evolution R is the culmination of our engineers’ and machinists’ artistic and technical prowess.

The Evolution R is not only lightweight, but also incredibly rigid and durable, with a unique geometry that is as functional as it is stylish. The innovative shape of the ultra-large arbor spool is engineered to force the even winding of the line across the face of the spool as it is retrieved – something never before seen in a fly reel.

The new drag design is also an industry first:  a fully sealed, bonded proprietary carbon fluoropolymer and stainless steel interface that delivers smooth power in a lightweight, compact package. Start up inertia is virtually non-existent to protect the most delicate of tippet. The Evolution R’s extremely wide range of brake adjustment also manages to produce some of the highest drag pressure found in a fly reel.

This all is controlled by a subtle yet striking, frame-integrated drag knob that blends perfectly into the form of the reel. Its solid grip allows for easy manipulation of settings – even while wearing gloves. Couple this with the canvas phenolic handle, first introduced by Ross Reels, the on-the-water functionality of the Evolution R is second to none.

ULTRALIGHT WEIGHT

All models less than 5.2 oz and fully machined from 6061-T6 proprietary aluminum alloy

SEALED DRAG

Industry leading power-to-weight ratio in a fully sealed system | Proprietary carbon fiber and stainless steel disc stack

STAINLESS STEEL INTERNALS

All internal components are machined stainless steel

CUSTOM HANDLE MATERIAL

Fully machined canvas phenolic rod, resting on a 7075-T6 chromated aluminum post yields reduced weight and increased grip when wet

FINISH

Type II anodized for the perfect balance of hardness and color

CONNECTION AND CONVERSION

Quick release spool and easy left-hand to right-hand retrieve conversion

FLY LINE COVERAGE

3wt. – 8wt.

FISHING APPLICATION

Designed for use in all freshwater, warmwater, and saltwater fishing environments

AVAILABLE COLORS

Matte Black and Platinum

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY