This is the first time I have handled a Hatch reel and my first impressions are all good. It feels, looks and even sounds like a class act.

Hatch describes this model as “5 Plus” meaning this has room for lines from #5 on up. Weighing in at 7oz this is not a featherweight reel, and for that reason I would be inclined to match this Hatch with #6 or #7 lines. Hatch lists two arbor options, mid or large. This one is the large arbor which gives a listed capacity of 90 yards of Dacron backing with a #7 fly line, which is more than adequate for freshwater fishing. (The mid arbour version accepts 120yds with a #7 fly line.)

Hatch builds its reels around a “sealed multi-disc drag cassette” – meaning the red hub behind the spool. Hatch has opted for Rulon as the slippery, compressible surface in their drag, and achieve a very large drag surface inside that cassette by filling it with a stack of discs. Which to an angler means crank it up – and this is smooth – but with the drag to handle fast saltwater fish. Crank it down and the drag is still smooth and really quite delicate. The words 'Rulon' and 'sealed' are also important for maintenance … this drag requires none! Rulon is self lubricating so the drag can be sealed – no need to oil anything.

So, of course, I had to open it up, and no not just from idle curiosity. Hatch supplies a small Allen key. Unscrew a wee grub, pull off the housing and find the one-way bearing inside. Changing wind directions is very simple. With the parts laid out it seems to me that much of the design and engineering going into this reel attempts to reduce the number of components – with all the bits I laid out this still looks elegantly simple.

The same applies with the spool. Hatch has opted to link the spool to the body using a captive nut. So there is no-end float, and when I take the spool off it is one piece, no wee nut rolling about on the table or boat.

Curiously, the same applies to the reel foot. I don’t recall handling a reel where the reel foot is machined as part of the body. Hatch claims that machining the whole body and reel foot from one piece of aluminium gives greater strength. I have no reason to dispute this assertion. Of course, it does mean if the foot is damaged I need a replacement body. On the other hand, there can be no corrosion issues with that section of this reel. I have experienced corrosion building up around screw heads and even between the foot and body of more conventional reels used in saltwater.

The quality of machining is very high. All surfaces near the fly line are smooth; I would prefer a little more radius, a little more rounding, on the line guard at the bottom of the reel but that should really not rub against the line.

Comparing the thickness of metal on the body with the sides of the spool, Hatch hasn't skimped on metal where it gives rigidity, and has thinned down the parts which don’t stop the reel flexing. This body is ‘half-cage’ so the back of the body needs to be rigid, otherwise the rim will chaff against the spool. The advantage of that design is the rim of the spool is fully exposed so can be ‘palmed’ for delicate drag control.

Hatch states this has Type II anodising, which is hard and corrosion resistant, so this reel can be used in saltwater. With the reel in pieces it was pretty clear that the anodising was consistent and thorough, even internal parts. There are very few other metals used in the reel, Hatch mentions stainless steel which should also resist salt.

Overall, this is a tough and very well made reel. It is aimed at the premium reel market and this reel fits in there in terms of build and design and has the advantage of a relatively competitive price.