What's your -current- favorite fly reel ?

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Mine is the Pflueger Medalists. They made so many of them... Pick a favorite model... they all hold fly line really well.

You can find a spare spool if you need one... and they don't break the bank. Many sizes and even era's to choose from.

What reel do you know well - One that has past the time test for you ?

[Danoinark]

48 minutes ago, Brian Shaffer said:

Mine is the Pflueger Medalists. They made so many of them... Pick a favorite model... they all hold fly line really well.

You can find a spare spool if you need one... and they don't break the bank. Many sizes and even era's to choose from.

What reel do you know well - One that has past the time test for you ?

Got a few myself.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Book em Dano! Good to see you my friend. Sure hope all is well. Been some years.

Many are unaware Sage made a line of click pawl fly reels. Hardy made them for Sage.

They sound as good as they look. This DEMO reel had a been dropped - one side touched the frame and rubbed. 

No wonder it had never been fished. It sounded like sandpaper and marbles inside the reel.

Opened it up - quick work with a Dremel tool and back in business. Ready to go on a rod right now.

[Danoinark]

1 hour ago, Danoinark said:

Got a few myself.

Thanks Brian all good here...good to see you.

[laker67]

Scientific Anglers system two 67L. I have never had one fail while fighting a big fish. Used them exclusively since the 80's. Now they are hard to find unless you want to pay big bucks and get a used one from England. I never switched over to large arbor because my fingers are too short.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Lamson lightspeed.  The original model.  

[nomolites]

Orvis Hydros.  I am relatively new to this affliction and at a point that I have been adding reels and lines to give me the flexibility to fish different ways.  I fish this reel on a 4wt with a DT line and love it, but unfortunately this is an older version and I missed the boat on spools….now when I buy a reel it must have at least one spare.  I am learning, a little bit at a time.

Mike

[Foghorn]

A favorite? The affliction hit me years ago so picking out a favorite is tough. The first time I really "sprang" for a big time reel- I bought a Streamline 1 for me and a 0 for Susie. They borrowed the drag setup from the Ari'T Hart design. They even made some good neoprene waders. Their business went under. We have several of the old Orvis Battenkill large arbor reels that have the internal hex nut to adjust the drag for more stopping power if needed. Anymore, they go for as much used as they did brand new.  

[tjm]

I have sack full of Medalists and spare spools, but I'm  currently using the  Saltrout 1554 more than the Medalists,  simple and about the lightest reels I've handled.  I like the old Shakespeare autos too, especially for smallmouth streams but they get heavy after an hour or three, as I age weight matters more.

About half the Medalists  with one Saltrout near the middle.

[fishinwrench]

Since I need so many, and the quality and price are so good, this is my current favorite.    

Zero problems so far in 4 (going on 5) years.