Fishing

Fly Reels Made in Germany of Exceptional Quality and Aerospace Precision

Ken Baldwin

Dark waters and beautiful fish.
Dark waters and beautiful fish. / photo by Ken Baldwin

Vladimir Rachenko is a former aerospace engineer with a passion for fly fishing—so much so that twenty years ago, he transferred his skills from aerospace to making fly reels. His goal was to focus on quality, creativity, and always a tip of the hat to tradition. That last ingredient—tradition—caught my eye when I stumbled upon his Instagram page.

An Artist Working Out of His Studio

Vladimir operates out of a small shop in Germany. He calls his company VR Reels, and he makes classic fly reels and performance fly reels. To my eyes, they all have a classic flavor. The classic fly reels are all click-and-pawl; the performance reels have a sealed drag. Some of his models have both, allowing you to enjoy the satisfying sound of the click-and-pawl, while benefiting from the smooth stopping power of the sealed drag.

The Trutta Perfetta Aluminum VR fly reel, Winston fly rod, and classic flies.
If it is made well it will get better over time. / photo by Ken Baldwin

His reels go from 2-weight up to 12-weight, made from aerospace-grade titanium alloy or bar stock aluminum.

A Palming Rim To Help the Fight

A small detail I really appreciate that is a slight deviation from traditional classic reels—is Vladimir's textured palming rim. This allows me to be more physically engaged and involved when playing a fish. Instead of relying solely on the reel's drag, I can apply just the right amount of touch to the palming rim—leaving my ability to determine the outcome of the fight.

The Trutta Perfetta Aluminum fly reel and a big rainbow trout laying in the shallow water of a creek.
A big fish can be handled on a 3 weight rod and reel if you develop a skilled touch with the palming rim. / photo by Ken Baldwin

Music to the Ears

I have the Trutta Perfetta Aluminum reel in brown, which I mostly use for wild brookies and trout in smaller creeks. I've had a few big trout take some line out, and between the clicker’s satisfying sound and the palming rim, this reel is pure joy to fish with. I have the most fun when I pair it with a 3-weight Moonlit fiberglass rod.

A Fly Fishing Heirloom

This is a fly reel meant to be passed down. The more I fish with it, the better it gets. The click-and-pawl will soften over time, and the brass reel foot and screws will develop a rich patina. Vladimir Rachenko has an aerospace engineer's eye for detail and tight tolerances. The materials he uses are top-tier, and his craftsmanship is evident in every reel. It’s a fly reel built to last. KB

"The gods do not deduct from man’s allotted span the hours spent in fishing.” - Herbert Hoover

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The gear reviewed in this article was provided to me at no cost for evaluation. The views and assessments presented are my own.

Published |Modified
Ken Baldwin
KEN BALDWIN

Ken Baldwin is a Writer/Editor for Fishing On SI where he writes stories about fly fishing and the lifestyle that surrounds it. His work has appeared in Catch Magazine, Fish Alaska, American Angler, and the Netflix documentary Our Planet 2. He also created and hosted the TV show Season on the Edge, which aired on NBC Sports and in seven countries, showcasing travel, adventure, and culture through the lens of fishing. For twenty years, Ken worked as a fly fishing and photography guide in Alaska. His photography mainly focused on capturing the Alaskan brown bear. Ken is a graduate of the University of Washington.

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