Collaborations between gear manufacturers, colloquially known as “collabs,” are ubiquitous lately. Most aren’t significantly noteworthy and as a normal rule, we don’t typically report on product updates or variations which are merely aesthetic — new colorways, types, or collabs. Each now and again, nevertheless, such an replace comes alongside that prompts us to make an exception to that rule, one which’s unimaginable to disregard. Traditional reel maker Abel’s new collaboration with sneaker and sportswear behemoth Nike and hip-hop artist Drake, to say absolutely the least, makes it exhausting to not take a re-assessment.
Search your reminiscence financial institution for the final time a fly fishing model collaborated with a multi-billion greenback sneaker maker or a hip-hop artist with a listing of platinum albums so long as your arm and also you’re going to return up empty. In spite of everything, the Venn diagram of overlap between the three isn’t precisely a pair of concentric circles. The idea of a collaboration between these concerned is undoubtedly one thing new.
The collaboration encompasses a new fly fishing reel (full with matching pair of nippers) which is a part of Nike’s NOCTA line — a subdivision of the model began in partnership with Canadian rapper Drake in 2020. Montrose, Colorado-based Abel, identified for extremely custom-made and stylized premium fly fishing reels, constructed a NOCTA model of its standard VAYA reel, which joins NOCTA’s new Opal Assortment — a completely new lineup of purpose-built outside attire impressed by the game of fly fishing and a childhood buddy of Drake, Nicholas “Niko” Carino, for whom fly fishing has lengthy been a household custom.
Nike unveiled the brand new assortment at an occasion in Manhattan final week which even featured a casting pond and fly casting competitors — one squarely aimed toward these with no expertise or familiarity with fly fishing. For that motive alone, the brand new collaboration will little question be welcomed by many — these invested each in rising the ranks of fly anglers and in introducing the game to communities that historically have little or no publicity to the world of fly fishing. Simply as assuredly, nevertheless, this new mixing of universes can be rejected by some within the fly fishing world, which has no scarcity of staunch, typically cantankerous traditionalists.
Picture credit score: Abel Reels.
Abel launched the brand new NOCTA-branded VAYA reels in a latest press launch, stating “Crafted by anglers in Colorado and proudly made within the USA, the Abel VAYA reel displays Abel’s famend precision engineering, mixed with NOCTA’s fashionable, daring design. That includes a customized NOCTA pale anodized end, this reel brings top-tier efficiency with a placing aesthetic—making it not solely a instrument for the water however a press release piece for lovers of each fly fishing and NOCTA’s streetwear tradition.”
Drake on the quilt of the approaching fall difficulty of honored and long-running fly fishing journal The Drake (credit score: The Drake).
These thinking about getting their arms on considered one of these new limited-edition reels must cough up a premium. Whereas a regular difficulty VAYA clocks in at $595, anglers might want to add greater than an extra $1,400 to the worth tag to take house one of many new collab reels. However, hey, you get a pair of Abel nippers, too. Out there in sizes 4/5, 5/6, and seven/8, the brand new Abel x Nike NOCTA VAYA reel is accessible from abelreels.com for an MSRP of $2,500.
