By Joe Cermele

Though I'd love to tell you the reel below is the latest from Orvis inspired by the likes of Johnny Rotten and Joe Strummer, I don't think they've recognized the marketability of punk-inspired reels...yet. Yes, it is an Orvis reel -- my old 7/8 Rocky Mountain to be exact -- but the zebra finish with red brushed-aluminum spool is pure custom. How did such a thing of beauty come to be? Here's the scoop.

It started with an email from Robyn Kroell. Robyn owns Liquid Print, which sells  water-transfer printing equipment and films. This process of painting, then dipping into the film which sits on top of a basin of water is commonly used to put camo patterns on bows. I asked if she could dip a reel for me and voila, I am now the proud owner of what may be the most obnoxious fly reel ever. I love it.

But the dipping process offers more than just killer custom good looks. The Orvis Rocky Mountain is a freshwater reel, but the coating process now made it pretty corrosion-resistant. It might just become my new favorite bonefish and striper reel. I won't name names, but most of you are probably familiar with a certain fly reel company that makes some pretty impressive colored and patterned reels. They rock, but they'll cost ya. To have a reel customized by Robyn's outfit runs $35 to $50.

So what else can you have dipped? Almost anything that stands still. To have a rifle or shotgun cammoed runs about $165. Stocks and forearms done separately go $50 to $60. They'll do rods, tackle boxes...whatever. The patterns available are vast, ranging from woods, to camos, to metals and beyond. Visit Robyn's actual dipping business Phoenix Imaging to get custom work done.

In the meantime, I'll be on the water with a reel I'm confident Ted Nugent would be proud of - JC

Comments (18)

from ckRich wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

I wonder if they can dip my whole truck....

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from Koldkut wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Does it match the rod? Do you have a matching shirt? LOL.

It's a cool idea but I question your judgement on the zebra stripes, not that any other camo pattern would be better either.

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from Joe_Cermele wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Koldkut...I do have a matching shirt and trousers.

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from MLH wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Love it! A limited edition at one-twentieth of the cost. I noticed you did it to an old Rocky Mountain, though ... any other reels up for the dip? Might even make a Plueger Automatic acceptable ... a nice tapestry of patterns and colors on those flat sides ... okay, maybe that is pushing it.

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Now this is cool. The possibilities are endless. I wonder if she has fish patterns similar to Abel? I like that look but not at the cost of an Abel reel.

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from troutrageous1 wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

I'm very impressed. Had always wondered what it took to get those graphics on bows and the like. I think a wood effect on a fly reel might look pretty interesting, especially if matched up to the wood reel seat so it looks almost like it's one piece.

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from Hunt_Hard wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

haha
Very cool. I think this is a very neat idea. Now I know what they meant when they said my bow was "dipped" in Mossy Oak Break-Up...

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from Fishing Fiend wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

I love punk music and i love to fish. this is a win win for me.

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from Walt Smith wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

How come you fish editors aren't covering the new state and possible world record brown trout caught in Manistee Michigan on wednesday??? The scale on tv showed 41.35 pounds!!

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from Joe_Cermele wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Just you wait Walt...stay tuned. We've got shots of it nobody else has seen anywhere. Are you suggesting we are not on our game, sir? Wheels are in motion as I type this.

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from wgalliso wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Thats awesome, I think I might class up my okuma with a wood grain pattern.

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from Walt Smith wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

The fish was caught on Wednesday morning, its Friday afternoon, you tell me. Hey-- cool reels!

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from shane wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

F&S - Where did you find this guy?

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from Joe_Cermele wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

To which guy are you referring, Shane?

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Joe,
I think what Walt wants is for you guys to post every internet story prior to verifying it.

Great job on bringing us the photos and full story.

When should we expect the next hook shots?

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from Joe_Cermele wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Buck, new Hook Shots very soon. Should have had one already but the fish and the weather don't care that you're trying to shoot on any given day. Two strike outs in the last few weeks.

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from j-johnson17 wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

That is sweet - I just need to figure out what I want for mine now...!!!!

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 22 weeks ago

Sounds like one hell of an idea to actually open such a business up to the public. I can think of more than a few things that I would like to have camo'd.

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from ckRich wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

I wonder if they can dip my whole truck....

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from shane wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

F&S - Where did you find this guy?

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from Koldkut wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Does it match the rod? Do you have a matching shirt? LOL.

It's a cool idea but I question your judgement on the zebra stripes, not that any other camo pattern would be better either.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Joe_Cermele wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Koldkut...I do have a matching shirt and trousers.

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from MLH wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Love it! A limited edition at one-twentieth of the cost. I noticed you did it to an old Rocky Mountain, though ... any other reels up for the dip? Might even make a Plueger Automatic acceptable ... a nice tapestry of patterns and colors on those flat sides ... okay, maybe that is pushing it.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Now this is cool. The possibilities are endless. I wonder if she has fish patterns similar to Abel? I like that look but not at the cost of an Abel reel.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from troutrageous1 wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

I'm very impressed. Had always wondered what it took to get those graphics on bows and the like. I think a wood effect on a fly reel might look pretty interesting, especially if matched up to the wood reel seat so it looks almost like it's one piece.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Hunt_Hard wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

haha
Very cool. I think this is a very neat idea. Now I know what they meant when they said my bow was "dipped" in Mossy Oak Break-Up...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Fishing Fiend wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

I love punk music and i love to fish. this is a win win for me.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Walt Smith wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

How come you fish editors aren't covering the new state and possible world record brown trout caught in Manistee Michigan on wednesday??? The scale on tv showed 41.35 pounds!!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Joe_Cermele wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Just you wait Walt...stay tuned. We've got shots of it nobody else has seen anywhere. Are you suggesting we are not on our game, sir? Wheels are in motion as I type this.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from wgalliso wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Thats awesome, I think I might class up my okuma with a wood grain pattern.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Walt Smith wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

The fish was caught on Wednesday morning, its Friday afternoon, you tell me. Hey-- cool reels!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Joe_Cermele wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

To which guy are you referring, Shane?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Joe,
I think what Walt wants is for you guys to post every internet story prior to verifying it.

Great job on bringing us the photos and full story.

When should we expect the next hook shots?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Joe_Cermele wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

Buck, new Hook Shots very soon. Should have had one already but the fish and the weather don't care that you're trying to shoot on any given day. Two strike outs in the last few weeks.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from j-johnson17 wrote 2 years 36 weeks ago

That is sweet - I just need to figure out what I want for mine now...!!!!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 22 weeks ago

Sounds like one hell of an idea to actually open such a business up to the public. I can think of more than a few things that I would like to have camo'd.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

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All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.