Lamson is well known for its high-quality fly fishing reels. Among the most common fly reels from the company are the Lamson Guru Series and Lamson Litespeed. Both are relatively affordable and available in various sizes. In this guide, we will discuss both series in detail to help you make an informed decision. Here is a summary if you are in a hurry.
Lamson Guru vs Litespeed : A side by side comparison table comparison
More Details about Lamson Guru Series
The Lamson Guru series has been around for several years, and it is one of the best reels for fly fishing. The reels are available in various sizes from 3-11. It is relatively affordable, and its latest redesign is a work of art. It comes with the following features:
Material and Construction
Like Lamson Litespeed, Guru reels are made of machined 6061 aluminum frames. The material is liteweight and corrosion-resistant. The internals is made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and the final details are done with type II anodized stainless steel. This gives an attractive appearance and still makes it quite durable.
The Feel and Design
Like other Lamson reels, the Guru series feels great on the hand, and it is quite liteweight. The handle is flat and comfortable, but not as comfortable as the Litespeed’s. The drag knob is slightly more difficult to grab than the Litespeed’s. Its spool is pretty much like the Litespeed’s, and it is a quick change spool.
Drag System
The drag system of the Lamson Guru is pretty good, especially considering that it is quite affordable. Like its cousin, Litespeed, it comes with the iconic conical drag. The drag has a fair amount of power, given that the 5-weight reel, for example, has a maximum drag of 3.4 pounds. Yes, the drag cannot beat more premium reels, but it is worth the price it comes in.
Furthermore, it comes with a sealed drag system. Such a design ensures that sand, corrosive water, and grit do not get into the reel affecting its smoothness and power. You also don’t need to worry about maintenance since it is fully sealed, and you won’t need to take it apart.
Spool
The Guru’s spool is easy to change and well machined. However, it lacks the smart porting of Litespeed and other pricier Lamson reels. Also, its retrieval speed is on average, but not bad compared to other reels of its price.
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Strong and liteweight
- Available in plenty of colors
- Low-maintenance reel
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Not as strong as Litespeed reels
- Lower startup inertia
More Details about Lamson Litespeed Series
Waterworks Lamson is a respected company for fishing gear, and they don’t disappoint with this one. Lamson provides you with all the sturdiness you will require in your fly fishing trip. Here are the features that come with it.
Available in Various Sizes
All the reels in this series have the same features. The only difference is some are larger than others. You can choose the size that suits you the most, depending on your rod size and where you plan to fish. Typically, Litespeed is available in 3+, 5+, 7+, 9+, and 11+ sizes. With those options, you will always find a reel that makes your work easier and more fun.
Material and Construction
Like other high-quality reels, the Litespeed series is made of corrosion-resistant 6061 aluminum. This type of aluminum is special because it is the same one used in aircraft. With that in mind, you can be assured that the Litespeed reels are super lightweight.
What’s more, Waterworks Lamson has made their reel even more lightweight through technological innovations such as smart porting and an integrated counterweight. The integration makes the reel frame lightweight, stronger, and stiffer. It also prevents scratches and keeps your reel looking newer at all times.
The Feel and Design
The Litespeed series reels are modern-looking and look quite classy and expensive. They are made in the USA, and they feel comfortable in your hands. The handles are rather on the high-end side. They are thick but not too thick to feel uncomfortable in your hands. They are a bit oversized to give you a better grip while battling a hard-fighting fish.
What’s more, Waterworks Lamson has even created a taper on the handles to make them even more comfortable. The drag knob is a bit smaller compared to most drag knobs, but it is not uncomfortable. Its finishing is a work of art, and it makes a beautiful gift.
Drag System
Litespeed reels come with a conical drag system that works exceptionally. You can use it with average-sized fish and bigger ones like king salmon, and you will not find it difficult when retrieving.
Furthermore, it comes with a sealed drag. A sealed drag keeps maintenance at a minimum since debris, salt, and sand cannot get inside the discs, lowering its performance. You will not be required to oil the drag from time to time like you need to do if you are using an oil-felt drag.
Spool
While its retrieval speed is not the fastest, it is not too slow either. The newer models have ensured that you can retrieve up to 7.76 inches per spool turn. It is also large enough to store enough lines for long casts.
The smallest size can store up to 50 yards of line, while the larges can store up to 250 yards of it. With such a spool, you can even use a 6-weight line. One thing that is not ideal about the spool is it is a little bit wider than some anglers prefer.
Pros
- Powerful and smooth drag
- Comfortable on hands and easier to use
- Fantastic finishing, making it quite beautiful.
- Great capacity for any size of fly line
- Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty to the original owner
Cons
- The spool is slightly wider than some would prefer.
- Relatively more expensive than Lamson Guru.
Lamson Litespeed vs. Guru: The Differences
As much as the two have many similarities, they are a few things that set them apart. They include:
Their Price
Lamson Litespeed is relatively more expensive than Lamson Guru.
Their Spool
Litespeed’s spool is slightly wider than Guru’s, but that is because it has a better line capacity. It also has a better retrieval rate than the Guru. On the other hand, the Guru spool is easy to change and still has enough line capacity for most anglers.
The Feel and Design
Both reels are comfortable, but Litespeed’s handles are better since they are thicker and a bit oversized, providing a stronger grip. On the other hand, Guru’s handles are flat and not very comfortable. Also, Guru lacks the smart porting that Litespeed has.
Final Verdict
Both fly reels are quite comfortable and beginner-friendly. The best one for you will mainly depend on your tastes and preferences. The Litespeed reels look nicer and more high-end than Guru reels, but their performance is almost the same. Litespeed is slightly more expensive than Lamson Guru, though. Therefore, you might want to consider buying Lamson Guru if you are on a tight budget.
