Lamson Litespeed M Fly Reel
Description
Light-year. The distance traveled by light in a single year; the time it takes for design to evolve to a next step.
What can be said about larger but lighter, lighter but stronger? Of course it can be done. We’ve done it over and over again, but does there come a time when the bar can’t be raised?
No, there are always improvements to be made, new ways of thinking, new materials, and processes to exploit. As we’ve said – the performance benchmark for a fly reel is retrieve rate per ounce. If you haven’t thought about it before, think about it now: there’s no downside to high retrieve rate other than extra weight.
As an example, consider the 2021 Gen 6 Litespeed: CNC machined with material distributed artfully along critical load paths, stable and strong, so light you might forget it’s there, but beautiful enough to make you remember it is.
The art of the fly reel derives from the science of the fly reel, but at the end of the day both art and science, when held in balance, serve to make us smile.
LSM – The marine version of Litespeed is equipped with a hybrid drag system, sharing some elements of the Cobalt drag – fixed spindle, large heat-wicking conical surfaces, click stop drag knob. The LSM incorporates close tolerance composite bearings, and comes equipped with the same linear spring set found on LSF, optimized for each reel size. Like our Cobalt reel, it holds an IPX8 waterproof rating to 100 ft. LSM frame and spool share the same open structure as LSF, with emphasis on greater stiffness and stability.
Available in Riviera and Ultramarine.
| SIZE | DIAMETER | WIDTH | WEIGHT | ROD WEIGHT | LINE |
BACKING CAPACITY
|
| 8 | 4.65" | 0.95" | 5.7 oz | 7.8 | WF8 | 250 yds 20# |
| 10 | 4.82" | 1.00" | 6.6 oz | 9.1 | WF10 | 250 yds 30# |
| 12 | 5.10" | 1.19" | 8 oz | 11.12 | WF12 | 300 yds 30 |
Selecting Your Reel Retrieve
Not sure which retrieve to pick? You’re not alone — it can feel counterintuitive.
Left-Hand Retrieve (most common):
You hold the rod in your right hand and reel with your left.
This setup is preferred by most right-handed anglers.
Right-Hand Retrieve:
You hold the rod in your left hand and reel with your right — traditional for some anglers or those who cast left-handed.
If you’re right-handed and not sure which to choose, go with Left-Hand Retrieve. You can always switch the reel direction later if needed.
Pickup available at 540 Jackson St
Usually ready in 1 hour
Lamson Litespeed M Fly Reel
Riviera / 5/6wt (6)
540 Jackson St
540 Jackson St
San Francisco CA 94133
United States
Fly Reel Questions
Use the FAQ section to answer your customers' most frequent questions.
There is no wrong answer here. Generally, anglers who hold the rod and cast with their right hand reel with their left hand, and anglers who hold the rod and cast with their left hand reel with their right hand. For some anglers, it is more comfortable to cast with their right hand, transfer the rod into their left hand and reel with the right hand. Same goes for left handed casters. Bottom line is, go with what feels most intuitive for you. All modern reels can be switched to retrieve right or left hand.
Yes! This is standard part of our service and we can rig any reel before shipping.
We can spool up anything you need for any species or any destination around the world. Generally, we spool up 20lb Dacron backing on reels 6-weight and under. For 7-weight and above, we have options ranging from the same 20lb Dacron to 30lb Dacron, Gel Spun, Hatch polyethylene and hollow core.
We are experts in big game rigging. We will tie a Bimini twist loop or blind splice a loop into your backing upon request. We have a variety of color options too. Specific backing options can be found here.
Cast reels are made from liquid metal that is poured into a prefabricated mold and cooled to create the pieces of a reel. Machined reels are precision carved by a CNC machine from a single billet of aircraft grade aluminum. Machined reels are built to much higher tolerances and are supremely durable, more resistant to bending and cracking as compared to a cast reel. Consequently, machined reels tend to perform better, last longer and be more expensive than cast reels.
A click & pawl drag is a simple check that ensures your spool won’t overrun and backlash when you pull line off the reel. This is the most basic, traditional style of drag. A disc drag is usually constructed of carbon fiber or cork, and stainless steel bearings, with an adjustable tension dial used to slow down fast and powerful. A quality disc drags pays out line smoothly to protect your tippet and has low start up interia-which is the amount of force it takes to engage the drag. The term "sealed disc drag" means that the drag is protected by a housing to keep dirt and salt out of the mechanism. Not all sealed drags are created equal, but this type of drag is considered to be extremely durable, meant for the most demanding fish on the planet.
At the end of the day, drag type is a personal preference. For most trout and bass fishing situations, you don’t need a hefty drag, as the fish are not running long distances. For salmon, steelhead, and most saltwater situations, we recommend a sturdy disc drag to help the angler fight and land big, powerful fish.
This depends on what rod and line you intend to match to your reel. Almost all reels will have a manufacturer designation for a suggested range of line weights and backing that the reel can accommodate. For example: A Galvan T5 is rated for 5 to 6-weight lines. The size and physical weight of the reel is also designed to balance on a narrow range of rods to make for pleasant and efficient casting.
Contact the shop directly for assistance choosing the correct reel for your rod. 415-483-2278.
The vast majority of reels have a lifetime warranty for original purchaser. That warranty is bit different than the rod warranties, limited to defects and malfunctions. “Run over by car”, is generally not covered, but damaged reels can usually be repaired by the manufacturer for a fee. The reel companies stand behind the products they make and we stand behind the reels we sell. We are more than happy to assist with any warranty issues for reels purchased through the shop.
Customer Reviews
We pride ourselves on stocking gear that gets the job done season after season. We're here to answer your questions, and our customers are here to share their experiences.
