I have a cortland Retro on my RDP 2wt. It's my loaner rod, and the reel was gifted to me by a forum member to put to go do use. It fishes great and I have had nothing but great results from the reel. The only bad thing I can say about it S the small arbor size. Once I get down close to the backing I do have some line coil issues. I have a full WF3F line and as much backing as it will hold. But being on a 2 wt, I hardly ever have that much line out to be an issue. I'm up in Killeen, and would gladly let you try it out for your comparison. I work third shift 6 days on 3 days off. If you interested just shoot me a PM and I can come down if our days off ever match up. I have fished the San Gabriel in the park by the high school some, but would love to try out some of the areas you have posted.

I haven't owned one of the current design Battenkills, but the Cortland Retro (and a re-badged twin that LL Bean offered a couple of years ago) and the current Battenkill appear to be of similar design and quality, both being simple, light barstock-milled reels with step-adjust click/pawl drags. I'd pick whichever one is available in your preferred size/weight and price. Since the Battenkill is current production and has Orvis to back it up, that might be a strong point in its favor, but I wouldn't turn down a Retro at a killer price either.