Fly reels

[Terry Beeson]

A topic this morning brought up an interesting discussion in my opinion and I'd like to throw out the subject to get reactions and opinions from you fly flingers out there...

We don't think a lot about the reel at the base of our rod until we really need it. Many times it is just a place to put the fly line while we're on the road. But, there are times when the fly reel does become an issue.

We could get into saltwater and other "variables" that may affect choice, but let's keep it within the confines of what we would fish in this area - SW MO/NW AR. Trout, smallmouth, goggle-eye, whites, etc....

What is your opinion and choice when it comes to the following:

1. Brand(s)

2. Arbor size

3. Materials (plastic composite, cast, fully milled from 1-piece, etc.

4. Drag systems (and I ain't talkin' when "you know who" dresses up in women's clothes...)

I think many of us can learn from a lively stimulating discussion of this issue... (Wow... I sound really profound there, don't I?)

[Gavin]

There are a lot of good reals out there these days, and some I'd never buy again. From my experience, I'd give the following reviews.

Ross Reels, POS reels, I'll never buy another one.

Tibor Reels-Fantastic Saltwater reel with a great cork drag, not

good in cold weather due to the cork drag.

Galvan OB Series- Great reels, been usuing them for at least 5-6 years of use and never a problem with light saltwater use or in sub zero conditions. My favorite reels anything other than heavy duty Saltwater use.

Teton Reels-Great reels, great drag, had one for 7-8years w/o a problem, but got rid of it because I didnt really like its tinny sounding clicker.

I have some others, but I dont use them often because they fall into the "collectable" category. Cheers.

[fishinwrench]

I like med.arbor reels with silent(or very-very quiet retrieve)and a "decent" drag system.

BUT, I won't spend more than 100 bucks on one, ever....well, maybe,someday.

Cabela's Prestige (made by Okuma I think. I have 3 of those and like them alot.)

And the new Pflueger Medalist Pro (just aquired this one...and I really like it so far).

[Crippled Caddis]

You knew you could sucker me into jumping into this discussion.;o)

So OK-----I'm a traditionalist. Partly a function of my age and the propensity of the elderly to resist change, but frankly I just like traditional endeavors and the tools associated with them. Whether woodworking or flyfishing I have a great respect for those pioneers who preceeded me and made of the pursuit what it is today. I place equal value on my Grandfather's drawknife and a willow creel purchased in 1932 by a favorite Uncle. I occasionally (and respectfully) use the drawknife but the creel is a wall-hanger strictly out of respect for it's advancing age and the ephemeral nature of the material from which it's made.

So-----I like reels with click drags. I love the sound of a shreiking clicker when a good fish takes off. Next to the sound of flowing waters it is my favorite outdoor sound effect. It is an audable measure of success. It is sweeter music than that made by man to my ears. A silent drag steals that thrill for me.

I like lightweight reels which balance the light rods I prefer. Which pretty well knocks disc-drag reels out of the equation. I like the looks (and sound!) of old Hardys and Youngs although my income level dictates that I own only a few of each. I think a Medalist looks just like what a flyreel SHOULD look like. And I like the scratches, odd dent and patina of old reels that have a lifetime of faithful service behind them. They are badges of honor and help make of them icons worthy of respect.

I like old cane and fiberglass rods and modern reels just look out of place and time on them.

I fail to 'get it' why light weight in rods is a Holy Grail but the reels marketed for them weigh more than traditional designs.

Once past the cane pole and cork stage of fishing I cut my teeth on non-freespool revolving spool casting reels where the 'drag' was the same thumb that prevented backlashes. So when I started flyfishing it just came natural to stick a finger into the spool to control running fish. The advent of exposed spools with palming rims just made it easier.

I do like the quick line recovery of large arbor reels, but I refuse to pay the exhorbitant price asked. My old Shakespeare branded Young multipliers do the same thing except moreso. And balance the old rods I like to use them on as well.

I like to use drawknives, spokeshaves, crooked knives and planes when forming objects from wood and I like fishing with old rods with dinged-up, almost paintless Medalists on the seat.

I am a Luddite and Old Fogy, a traditionalist and respector of old tackle and I shamelessly admit it. CC

[John Berry]

I am an Orvis CFO man. I have been fishing them for twenty five years and one has never failed me. They are light and the old ones have a click drag. This is 1870 technology and could be repaired in the field. I left one on the roof of my car in Yellowstone. It got run over by a pickup and it cracked the frame. I sent it back to Orvis and they sent me a new frame and returned the original for ten bucks. I now own about a dozen and it is all that Lori and I fish. I keep an Orvis Battenkill on the rod we use to practice casting in the side yard.

[DeepDiver75]

I own numerous reels but only a couple that I would give rave reviews. My favorite reels are my two Lamson Litespeeds. I have the old version but the drag on these reels is infinitely adjustable with absolutely no start-up torque. For guys like me that are constantly dunking your reel it's also totally sealed. They are extremely lightweight and go well with todays lighter flyrods.

I also own a Cabela's brand SR reel and I am really impressed with this reel for the price. The drag is almost as smooth as the Lamson's although it's not sealed. The major difference is apparent in the weight of the reel compared to the Lamson.

[Greg]

Over the years I've accumulated more reels than is reasonable - at least according to my wife. Here's my opinions for whatever they are worth:

My favorite modern reel is a large arbor Teton Tioga. I've had it several years with no problems at all. The drag is silky smooth. The clicker does sound a little tinny on the retrieve but I've gotten used to it. And it has a sweet sound going out when a trout makes a long run. I've dropped this reel twice - once on a big rock and once on the concrete - it was barely scratched.

I have a couple of Ross reels, a fly logic, a cabelas and they are all OK. But not my favorites

I've been having a blast recently with a couple of old "made in the USA" 1960's to 70's vintage pflueger medalists. I bought both off of ebay - a 1494 and a 1495. I switched both from right to left hand retrieve and replaced a couple of worn parts. They are basically good as new now. I agree with CC that the medalist just looks right. I especially like the well used looks of these 30 to 40 year old reels of mine. And the drag on these reels is suprisingly smooth and effective. Last Sunday I took a rainbow over 20" that made some fairly long runs (on 7X) and the old reel performed fine. They are obviously durable and if something wears out - almost all the parts are easily replaceable. I also have a newer medalist and it's a pretty good reel too. But I do prefer the older USA made ones.

To answer your other questions I don't like plastic reels. Large arbor is OK but overkill for freshwater in my opinion. I do like a click on both the line in and line out.

Good topic Terry.

Greg

[Crippled Caddis]

Greg wrote:

<I've been having a blast recently with a couple of old "made in the USA" 1960's to 70's vintage pflueger medalists. I bought both off of ebay - a 1494 and a 1495.>

If you're e-baying watch for Medalists brand marked as Shakespeares, South Bends, Orvis and others I can't recall now. Pflueger would label them for anyone who placed a big order and you can often pick them up for a lot less than the Pflueger models now that the Medalist has assumed retro cachet'.

If you haven't yet done so put them on some period fiberglass rods and fish them. As I predicted @ 5 years ago a healthy collector market has appeared for fiberglass rods since old bamboo became too expensive for the casual victim of nostalgia. But they are still affordable and you can still occasionally run across steals at yard sales, junk stores or auctions of fine old Heddons, Phillipsons, Fenwicks and Shakespeares. They are still eminently fishable and you might even find that, like myself, you enjoy the slower, more laid back casting that hearkens to a slower, more laid back era. They are really at their finest, IMO, on a brim pond or a Smallmouth river where they handle heavy flies with more aplomb than graphite and create no mental anguish concerning hook nicks or impact damage from hitting limbs or bucking brush. Fiberglass rods are the Timex watches of fishing, they 'take a licking and keep on ticking'.

[Guest flyfishBDS]

Reels

I'm prepared to spend a bunch on a rod I love, and only buy expensive flyline and tippet. But I have no qualms on cheaper reels for trout except if you visit Alaska

Brands: WE sell Ross and Sage so you know where I stand. I own rhythyms and a San Miguel from Ross, three Sages, but I also own a Lamson Velocity, an Okuma (dog) and a Diawa which blew up in Alaska (my fault not the reels) and a very expensive limited run 5wt reel from a small defunct maker that is gorgeous.

If I was buying I'd look at Sage (love them to death) Ross Lamson Galvan Tibors Abels Hardys on the easily accessible reels.

Let me say that if your after practicality the old click drag basic reels BFR (which spat out Orvis, Diawa and others) simply work great. So do the Medalists.

Disc drags add weight pure and simple (and the early cheap models which leapt on the market a decade ago were generally nasty). To get lightweight and good drags the money goes up $200 plus. Now there are some which are coming onto the market with serious drags and lighter weight but are still intrinsically heavier than the old clickers

The Ross Worldwides have very similar drags to the Gunnison which was a great reel for a long time. Sage and Lamson have been putting out sub 150 large arbor sealed drags.

I prefer the fly reel makers brands (I will include sage cause they have a great design) but a lot of the other nonreel makers brands get spat out of the same factories in asia with only cosmetic differences (porting etc). They may work fine most of the time but if you really get to test them out Im suspicious of their longevity but I haven't tested one hard

Large Arbors are really redundant on trout, not very often your going to have enough line out to make it worthwhile. But they look sexy. Same for disc drags, I play probably 99% of the fish I catch by hand stripping, so Im carrying around $300 bucks of over engineering. But its there if I ever hook a hog in 6units, or when I go back to alaska

Its really your choice and a good choices are there.

Cheers

Steve

[Crippled Caddis]

I'd say Steve pretty well nailed it on all points! Good post Steve. CC