For 50 years Ari 't Hart has been recognized as the master architect of the modern fly fishing reel. His unwavering commitment to innovation puts him at the forefront of reel technology. Ari's iconic works rebel against the status quo, each one unconventionally alluring. "My reels are futuristic, made with the absolute best of materials and, of course, they must be beautiful," he says.
Collectors around the world have been following Ari's career since he began in Holland in 1959. Designing for ATH and Dutch Reels through the 1990s, Ari made his mark. In 1993, his landmark Remco Reel was honored with permanent placement in The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Since then his style has evolved and been inspired by spectacular fly fishing destinations, including Patagonia, New Zealand, and Chile.
Ari’s work for Exclusive Reels continues to push the limits of fly fishing reel design. Bold colours and elegant engineering set them apart from the rest of the fly fishing market. From his studio in Holland, Ari creates the prototypes by hand. He then supervises the production of each run, ensuring their quality.
While Ari's aesthetic is modern, he fishes old school, never taking a fish with him: "When I catch a fish, I give it a kiss and let it go. I tell him that maybe I will catch him another day."
