[SpeyFitter]

I recently picked up a Loop Evotec 9thirteen (not the LW or HD).
What an awesome reel!

I am guessing Dana can probably answer my question as well or better than anyone, but can someone explain to me the differences between the Original Evotec, the Evotec LW, and the Evotec HD. Other then the lighter weight, what are the differences that the LW has from the HD? (I'm assuming HD maybe stands for Heavy Duty, LW- LIght weight?). Also, what advantages do the newer reels (LW, HD) have over the original Evotec? This is just purely for my own curiousity I guess.

I'm noticing Loop really seems to be catching on over here in Canada. Myself now included.

 

[juro]

I've been eye-balling the HD myself, I look forward to reading Dana's response...

 

[kush]

Scott/Juro,

I am not sure of the difference between the original Evotec and the LW, except that it is a newer reel - maybe Dana would be able to tell you. As for the difference between the LW and the HD, Scott you are right the HD stands for heavy duty and the LW for light weight. If you compare the two reels you will immediadely notice the difference, while the LW has a robust design - the HD has a serious frame! For technical details sportangler.com/eng/ will get you to Loop's web page. You could also check out Dana's review of the LW on the International Spey Pages.

Juro, if you are planning on the HD - what the heck are you going to fish for? My LW is virtually bombproof, the HD is way serious artillery! I think for tarpon or Marlin the HD would be the ticket, but for steelhead and/or stripers the LW is all the medicine you could ever want.

Scott, if you really want to find your answer as to the difference between the Evotec and the LW/HD you can always e-mail Loop - the address is on their web page.

 

[SpeyFitter]

What a speedy reply!

I received an email back from Loop within an hour. I guess the advantages of emailing someone late at night who is half way around the world in a different time zone. Here is the bare bones of what was said:

"The big difference between the black evotec and the HD is the drag knob placing. The brake system is the same. The LW series has a similar brake system but it does not have as much "power" in the brake as the HD or Evotec.
Our idea is to improve things and innovate even on a perfect reel as the Evotec. Some prefer a smaller drag knob as on the HD and LW, and I know some prefer the bigger one on the old version"

And big the "DRAG KNOB" is on the Original Loop Evotec. It's basically the whole back of the cage as opposed to a simple knob or lever found on most fly reels.

 

[Per Stadigh]

Hello all,

As I basically only fish Evotechs these days, and a lot at that, I can't help myself from sticking my head into yet another thread:

I think that good ol' Kush sums things up very well. The brake on the LW is more than what one need fro the species we fish for.

The reason why I have both the old 9-13 and the new large HD is only due to the line capacity these beefy reels sport. 90% of my fishing still is made with the smaller E. LW 8-11.

The HD in it's largest size is the optimal large Spey reel for those of you that bother with long belly lines. (I think that is what you, Juro, really is looking for.)

What not must be forgotten is that the brake on these reels has one vast advantage over most other fancy reels. The brake is complete sealed in making it unaffected by water. I often drop my rod in the water when releasing a fish, or dump the reel when wading deep or when using the rod as an emergenzy wadingstaff. A reel that goes out when these things happen is not worth a dime. Sorry, but lots of $$$$$ is tied up on our rivers in the form of flashy reel designs originally ment to be used off a sunny deck in the Keys, rather than on a cold river.

I mainly brake my reel harder when I am into tricky wading while fighting a fish and need one hand for the staff, or when following a fish outside of an overgrown bank where one hand desperatly is searching for twigs to hang on to. Then the brake is a blessing -otherwise it all is matter of palming. Agree again, Kush!!

Per

PS. The old Loop Traditionals don't do you any harm, either! DS

 

[juro]

Although I may never "need" more, I prefer the aesthetics of a substantial reel frame over the other high-tech Loops, frankly. You're talking to a guy who looks at an old Lamson and says "now that's a reel!" . I could also benefit from a more durable design in the event of accidents, etc.

The HD appears to give me the best of both worlds, I'll have to look at it in real life to see if that holds true or not.

Thanks for the contact info Scott!

[1]Last edited by Juro on 09-18-2002 at 03:02 PM

[/1]

 

[Per Stadigh]

Juro,
After three seasons (13 weeks on some of Russia´s most rugged rivers) I know that the Evotec LW takes a lot of beating. I am hard on tackle and clumpsy as well. Several times after having tipped over among nasty rocks I have been certain that the reel had gone dead. Save scratch marks it works like new. I really like it, and stick to it although being free to use pretty much what I want. It simply is the best.
Per

 

[Bob Pauli]

Loop capacity

The Loop literature I have, which is one year old, shows the largest Evotec LW, 8eleven, with a capacity of a "WF10F - 150 yd 30."

The largest Evotec, the 9thirteen, regular and HD advertise capacity of "WF11F + 250 yd 30."

Is anyone able to get a Windcutter 8.9.10 plus 200 yards of 30 lb micron on these reels?

Is there a larger capacity reel available now from Loop?
________
Triumph Speed Four

 

[SpeyFitter]

The LoopEvotec 11fourteen HD is now the largest Loop reel.

 

[Dana]

Loop reels 2002

For Spey-sized reels in the Evotec series for 2002 Loop has the LW 8twelve, the HD 9thirteen, and the HD 11fourteen. I have the 8twelve and the 11fourteen. I use 50# gsp on my 8twelve (200 yards), 30# Dacron on the HD (200 yards standard flyshop bulk stuff made by Cortland I think). On the LW I can comfortably spool up MidSpey lines to 10/11 (the Airflo Long Delta 10/11 fits as well, so does the Arrowhead 9-11 and the Cortland Change-A-Tip Spey 9/10), so Windcutters or Delta Speys should be fine with this setup; also the 150ft Carron line fits fine on this reel. The big HD has no problem with a XLT 8/9 or 9/10--if I had gsp on this reel there would be room to spare.

The LW 8eleven spooled with 200 yards 30# gsp will handle the MidSpey 9/10, the Airflo Long Delta 9/10, and various Windcutters and Delta tapers.

All of these reels, as well as the Loop Traditional 3W, are quite comfy with any of the Loop Adapted or Custom shooting head systems or other shooting head set ups.

 

[AlexK]

To Dana and Per Stadig

What do think about Gelspun backing on the stoney river bottom? Isn't it easily cutted by sharp stones? Atlantic salmon oftenly makes a very long runs.

I think about an HD 8-14 but I'm in doubt of its capacity: can it contain 8/9 XLT plus 200 yards min. of 30 lb dacron backing?

 

[Dana]

Hi Alex!

I haven't fished Atlantics (your area, Per!) but I have had many, many steelhead take me well into the backing and haven't had any trouble with the gsp.

I goofed in my original post above--I didn't indicate how much backing I had on the HD 11fourteen. I have fixed that now. Anyways, the HD 11fourteen with 200 yards 30# Dacron holds both factory and customized versions of the XLT 8/9 and 9/10 lines, so no capacity problem with these lines and that reel. I just got my hands on the new RIO GrandSpey so I will check that for you as well asap. I don't have the 9thirteen so I haven't been able to spool it up with an extended belly spey line. The LW 8twelve would not be my first choice for extended belly spey lines but it is great with any of the MidSpey type lines (RIO MidSpey, Airflo long Delta, Arrowhead, Cortland Change-A-Tip, SA's Multitip, etc)

 

[Dana]

HD 11 fourteen and the RIO GrandSpey

Okay, 200 yards standard 30# Dacron backing on my Loop HD 11fourteen. Does the GrandSpey fit?

GrandSpey 10/11: it's close, but nope--use gsp instead of Dacron and you should be fine.

GrandSpey 9/10: it's tight, but yup, this line fits...barely. Again, I'd go with gsp or something like Per's setup with 150 gsp and 50 Dacron.

GrandSpey 8/9: no problem.

Haven't cast these lines at all yet so I can't comment on them otherwise, but I'm looking forward to getting them out on the water!

 

[Per Stadigh]

Hello Alex,

Welcome to here - good to have another fisherman from the Kola!

Like you I am slight doubt about the gelspun versus rocks - only based on rumours though. As a result I always add at least 50 m of 30 or 50 pound dacron between the fly/shooting line and the gelspun. This means that one rarely reaches the gelspun that never feels great to handle, anyway.

On the few occations, one was two weeks ago on the Kharlovka, when a fish takes me really deep into the backing, the gelspun normally is is in the air or very shallow if wet at all. I guess that is true for the dacron as well......


Gelspun is great as it makes the use of smaller (=lighter) reels possible.

Any "listopadka" or "osenka" this fall?

Per

 

[AlexK]

To Dana

Thank you very much for the info! I think i will buy 11-14 for the next season along with a new rod. I wish to have a #8 15' to fish with XLT. I have 4 Loop reels an I like it.

To Per Stadigh

Hi! That's a good idea to put a little dacron, if the fish goes out to 200 meters, I think only first part ot backing along with flyline will contact with rocks. What kind of dacron do you use?

This falls unfortunately I'll be on Umba very early, two weeks only blacks took my flies except the very last hours before departure (3, 7 and 8 kilos silvers).

Did you hear that Loop will close his camp on Umba???

Sincerely, Alex

 

[Hans Drost]

Hi all,
personally I am perfectly happy with the Evotec 9thirteen HD. I,ve fished it in the river Orkla in Norway, and I really was impressed. Holding plenty of backing on a Rio Windcutter Spey 9-10-11.
The drag is running smoothly as could be expected from a reel in this priceclass.

Cheers from Holland, where Loop is lots cheaper than in the USA.
Info?
Glad to help, Hans.

 

[tonyd]

I sent you a message Hans and would appreciate any info you could provide on good deals regarding LOOP products.Thanks.

 

[Dana]

further capacity note

spooled the HD 11/14 with 250 yards 50# gsp and it took the 9/10 & 10/11 GrandSpey without any problems.