SYNCHRON: FRANCO COTTARELLI'S FLY REEL
THE EXCELLENCE OF ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP IN A LIMITED SERIES OF ONLY 10 PIECES
The brand new SYNCHRON fly reel is finally available, completely handmade in Italy by the renowned craftsman Franco Cottarelli, who will be familiar to many fly fishermen thanks to his innovative fly-tying vises. Available exclusively in our online shop, this masterpiece of craftsmanship has been produced in a limited series of just 10 pieces, each with a serial number that gives the product a collector's value.
A REEL CREATED WITH AUTHENTIC ARTISAN PASSION
Words such as 'handmade', 'artisan' or 'Made in Italy' are often used superficially and instrumentally in an attempt to win the trust of customers. However, when these labels are not supported by facts, they quickly lose their true meaning.
For the SYNCHRON fly reel, all the adjectives expressing the authenticity of the handwork are fully deserved. Every single screw, gear and component of the reel has been personally designed and manufactured by Franco Cottarelli from solid blocks of aluminium and brass. There are no moulded or die-cut parts or components whose manufacture has been delegated to cheap, mass-produced factories in the East. Each element is the result of careful and meticulous expertise, a symbol of authentic Made in Italy and traditional Italian craftsmanship.
THE IMPERFECTION OF QUALITY
Just as a sculptor cannot create two perfectly identical statues, the fly-fishing reels made by Franco Cottarelli may also have slight differences between them. Made of non-anodised aluminium, the reels may show minimal abrasions or small dents, which should not be seen as flaws, but as the natural testimony of an authentic craftsmanship process. Every mark and every variation is part of the story of each piece, making it unique and unrepeatable, a true testament to the craftsmanship behind the SYNCHRON.
Since the reel is made of non-anodised aluminium, it is prone to oxidation when used in salt water, which is why we do not recommend its use in such environments. However, a non-anodised finish has some significant advantages over an anodised reel. Both versions are delicate and can be scratched if placed on rocks or rough terrain, but the main difference is that, in the case of surface scratches, those on the non-anodised reel can be easily removed with a touch of very fine emery paper. This process would be impossible on an anodised reel, where repair attempts would cause further damage.
That said, do not hesitate to use it in fishing. Its technical features are too interesting to leave it gathering dust on a shelf. Just be a little careful when using it, avoiding dropping it hard and edgy surfaces or allowing sand and dirt to get into the gears.
A PROJECT BORN OVER 20 YEARS AGO
Before going into the technical characteristics of this fly reel, it is interesting to know that the SYNCHRON is only the tip of the iceberg. Franco Cottarelli, over the course of more than two decades, has created numerous prototype reels, each with unique functions and characteristics. The first model dates back more than 20 years, and since then Cottarelli has continued to refine his designs until he arrived at the latest version, the SYNCHRON, which he has finally decided to make available to the public.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
THE CHOICE OF MATERIALS
The SYNCHRON fly reel is made of 95 per cent aluminium, visible in the silver-plated parts, while the gold-plated elements are made of brass. All moving contact points are reinforced with stainless steel pins. The combination of brass and stainless steel in these areas was chosen to prevent wear on the moving parts, which would otherwise deteriorate over time if they were made of aluminium, compromising the reel's functionality. This combination of materials ensures durability and optimum performance at the points of greatest stress.
Materials other than aluminium and brass account for less than 1% of the reel. These are a pair of steel discs, only three-tenths of a millimetre thick, and a felt disc used for the friction system, which we will go into later.
The choice of materials and the precise arrangement of the holes in the aluminium give the reel a relatively light weight, especially considering that it can hold up to a #9-class fly line and incorporates complex mechanisms. In fact, its total weight is 188 grams, perfectly in line with other reels in the same category.
With regard to the fly line, a physical limitation is the width of the line guide slot, which must be wide enough to allow a smooth and friction-free passage of the fly line during use. If the diameter of the fly line belly is too thick, the line cannot physically pass through the line guide slot even if the reel has enough capacity to hold a #9-class fly line. This problem can occur with fly lines that features non-standard line tapers.
CRANK AND RECOVERY 1:4
As you may have already noticed, the reel crank is different from those traditionally found on classic fly reels. In fact, in addition to feature a double knob design, it is not connected directly to the spool, but to the drag block. In this way, the rotation of the crank is independent of the rotation of the spool. This means that, even if you hold the crank still, it will not interfere with the movement of the reel drag, which will still allow the spool to rotate freely, just as it does in a classic spinning reel.
Thanks to the crank directly connected to the drag block and its gears, it was possible to achieve a higher recovery rate. In classic reels, where the crank is connected directly to the spool, the recovery ratio is fixed at 1:1. In Franco Cottarelli's new reel, however, the recovery ratio is 1:4. This means that for every turn of the crank, the reel makes 4 complete turns. The result is an extremely fast retrieval of the fly line, similar to that achieved with semi-automatic reels such as the Vivarelli or JMC's Equinox.
A small curiosity: the recovery ratio is precisely 1:4.123. This is not a random number; on the contrary, it has been specially designed to prevent the gears from constantly working in the same position. This slight variation makes it possible to offset the revolutions of the single gears from each other, reducing wear and thus increasing their lifespan.
The knob, the one you actually hold with your fingers during the retrieve, is free to rotate on itself, making the action smooth, comfortable and fast. Again, as this is a moving point of contact, steel and brass have been used, for the same reasons as described above.
THE DRAG
The reel drag on Franco Cottarelli's fly reel is as simple as it is effective. It consists of a 'male' aluminium cone attached to the spool (fig. A) and a 'female' aluminium cone (fig. C), separated by a felt disc (fig. B).
By turning the drag star located immediately behind the crank clockwise (see photo below), the drag can be tightened. Similarly, turning it anti-clockwise loosens the drag. This screw has the function of pressing the two aluminium cones onto the felt disc, generating more or less friction. This friction regulates the force required to release the fly line, just as in a traditional carbon or Teflon disc reel drag.
This extremely simple system ensures a very smooth line release and, even after intensive use, does not overheat. Although the life of the felt is not eternal, it will take many years to wear out. In any case, replacing the felt disc is easy and very inexpensive.
An interesting detail in the adjustment of the drag is its position, which is on the side of the crank, whereas in conventional reels it is almost always on the opposite side. This design makes adjustment even easier and faster, as everything is conveniently within reach.
THE LINE GUIDE
FOR THE FIRST TIME ALSO ON A FLY REEL
As you may have already noticed, at the bottom of the reel is a rather unusual mechanism for a fly reel. This gear system, linked to the rotation of the spool, drives a stainless steel loop that moves steadily from right to left along the side of the reel.
This movement allows the fly line to be evenly distributed on the spool, preventing it from piling up on one side. It is particularly useful when you need to retrieve quickly, without having to manually manage the distribution of the line with your finger.
ATTENTION TO SYNCHRONISATION
To spool the reel the first time, you will have to pass the backing through the eyelet of the line guide from the outside to the inside, then attach it to the spool. Once you have completed this step, you can start reeling without any worries: the line guide will take care of distributing both the backing and, later, the fly line evenly over the entire width of the spool.
At this point, the line guide will be perfectly aligned with the fly line windings, ensuring optimal synchronisation between the two.
NOW YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO LOSE ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS SYSTEM
Since the movement of the line guide is directly linked to the rotation of the spool, you should never reel in the entire fly line, as is usually done with a traditional fly reel. The reason is simple: while the fly line windings remain in the same position, the line guide will continue to move from right to left. If this were to happen, in the worst-case scenario, you would end up with the last fly line windings on the right and the line guide on the left side of the spool. This would create friction when releasing the fly line and unnatural lateral pressure on the line guide.
In this regard, when manually pulling off the fly line during fishing, it is advisable to always pull it perpendicular to the rod and never crosswise. Otherwise, in the long run, you could risk knocking the line guide out of alignment.
Don't worry, however: if it should lose synchronism, simply pull off completely the fly line and then rewind it again. Thanks to the 1:4 retrieve ratio, this operation will be quick and effortless. This time, however, be sure to leave at least 20 centimetres of fly line out of the line guide.
At this point, you can lock the spool to prevent it from rotating unintentionally when you are not using the reel. To do this, there is a special locking mechanism: a lever on the back of the reel, which offers three different adjustment options.
Central position:
This is the position in which you should hold the lever while fishing. In this way, the crank will only make the reel rotate in the direction of retrieval. Of course, the drag will still allow the reel to rotate in the opposite direction when necessary.
Low position:
In this position, the spool is completely locked and, even if you turn the crank, it will not rotate either clockwise or anticlockwise. This lever configuration is recommended to prevent the spool from performing involuntary rotations when not using the reel, thus keeping the line guide perfectly synchronised with the fly line windings, as discussed above.
High position:
This position allows the spool to rotate freely in both directions, similar to when you turn off the anti-reverse in a spinning reel. Unless there are special situations, this adjustment has no specific use and you will hardly need it.
MORE INTERESTING FEATURES
REEL SEAT ADJUSTMENT
The reel seat, the part that is attached to the rod, can be adjusted laterally with slight pressure. This feature allows you to perfectly balance the weight of the reel with the rod, improving the overall balance during use.
ROLLER BAR
Thanks to the roller bar located directly in front of the line guide, the fly line can slide easily, without the risk of damage, even when subjected to heavy pressure.
SERIAL NUMBER
As mentioned at the beginning, the SYNCHRON fly reel has been produced in a limited run of only 10 pieces. Each fly reel is individually numbered, with a unique serial number ranging from 1 to 10, making each piece a true collector's item, not only for its quality craftsmanship, but also for its exclusivity.
NON-CONVERTIBLE RIGHT/LEFT
This reel is only suitable for right-handed anglers, i.e. those anglers who hold the rod with their right hand and operate the crank handle for retrieving with their left hand. As it is not convertible right/left, it cannot be used by left-handed anglers.
CONCLUSIONS
For Franco, this fly reel is more than just a fishing tool; it is an extension of his passion, a tangible manifestation of his creativity and dedication to craftsmanship. Each component bears the imprint of its creator, the result of years of experience and refinement. It is not just a functional object, but a true work of art for those who appreciate the fusion of technique and mastery.
We are confident that the SYNCHRON will find a special place in the hands of those who recognise the value of a product made with such care and dedication.
Details:
- Limited series of only 10 pieces
- Handcrafted entirely in Italy
- Composed mainly of raw, non-anodised aluminium, brass and stainless steel
- Only for freshwater use
- Capacity up to a line class #9, if it passes through the line guide slot.
- Relatively light for its category, 188g
- Retrieve ratio 1:4
- Aluminium drag with felt disc
- Stainless steel line guide for the first time on a fly reel
- 3 spool rotation settings
- Roller bar for the fly line
- Reel seat adjustment for perfect balance with the barrel
- Only suitable for right-handers, NOT convertible right/left
