Following up on their outstanding Mirage series of saltwater reels, Orvis launched a new Mirage LT designed for lighter lines. The lightweight reel has been in development for more than a year, and our team of testers has been using pre-production samples since early last summer.
The Mirage LT – like its stouter sibling – features a sealed disc drag system made from carbon fiber and stainless-steel components. The unique design of the drag gives flawless adjustment from zero friction to nearly full-stop drag with a single rotation of the adjustment knob. So it easy to adjust on the fly. But it’s also effective. The Orvis designers nearly crippled our non-technical minds with impressively detailed descriptions of the engineering minutia that went into the design. While we appreciated that wealth of information, it was the results that truly impressed us. The design does work – the Mirage LT’s drag is incredibly responsive and stable. We found no ‘drift’ even when working monster carp on 5-weight rods.
It also proved ridiculously easy to change between left- and right-hand retrieve.
Like the Mirage reel – which earned high praise from our Gear Institute team last year – the Mirage LT is made in New Hampshire. The frame and spools are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, and a titanium shaft provides good strength and durability while reducing weight.
The new Mirage LT measures 30 percent narrower than the original Mirage and is a 30 percent lighter. The reel comes in four sizes to cover line sizes from 1- to 9-weight.
Not every angler who fishes light lines in pursuit of trout and other freshwater fish will need the advanced design of the Mirage LT. But the reel’s performance, durability, and lightweight design will be appreciated by those anglers who fish hard year-round, as well as those who want one reel for all species. $398. Buy Now