LAMSON Cobolt 8 Fly Fishing Reel

Element of surprise. A bolt from the blue, Cobalt is a big game powerhouse of a reel packed with technical breakthroughs that’ll change the game on the flats and into the deep. Cobalt features a dual-axis machined frame that dramatically strengthens the side that bears the most load. The foot is embedded—rather than perched—atop the reel to effectively transmit force and distribute weight. The large arbor spool is also machined with many subtle asymmetries that bring perfect balance without a counterweight.

Certified waterproof to 100 feet by an independent test laboratory, the Cobalt drag is an industry first. In and out of the water, it stands up to the harshest of elements. Custom formulated self-lubricating O-rings protect every point of ingress. A fixed spindle format ensures complete sealing. A supercharged version of our smooth conical drag system rotates on high-precision ABEC 5 ceramic ball bearings—and uses a proprietary high-temperature graphite alloy to create 12+ pounds of line out torque.

Cobalt 10 and 12 put the power is in your hands with a “set drag” system of adjustment that allows you to set a preferred stripping pressure against a stop. Access the full range of torque in half-pound click stop increments through a single rotation of the drag knob, with increments etched into the knob for visual reference. Cobalt 6 and 8 forego the set drag in favor of a lighter system with finer resolution.

A coating as hard as type III anodize but with 20 times the protection against a saltwater environment, Cobalt is endowed with a stunning, shielding Micralox finish—exclusive to Waterworks-Lamson in the fly fishing world.