What's your -current- favorite fly reel ?

[Brian K. Shaffer]

laker - I believe all the System 2L reels WERE made in England... I will dig out some photos for the thread in a flash.

the original system 1 reels were not... even though they were  still made by somebody good.

[snagged in outlet 3]

5 hours ago, tjm said:

s,  simple and about the lightest reels I've handled.  I

Man you gotta try a reel like @fishinwrenchposted.   Crazy light.  The fly line and backing might weigh more than the reel.  

[Flysmallie]

This Redington Behemoth. Very light and a great price.

 

[Nick Adams]

5 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Zero problems so far in 4

I bought one of their spinning reels. Like 10 or 12 bearings? So far it's smooth and I like it.

[Nick Adams]

On 1/22/2022 at 9:13 PM, Brian Shaffer said:

Pflueger Medalists

I have a 1595RC that I bought when I was 15ish. So 30+ years later it's still going strong, aside from chipped paint.

[fishinwrench]

26 minutes ago, Nick Adams said:

I bought one of their spinning reels. Like 10 or 12 bearings? So far it's smooth and I like it.

As far as I know all of their stuff is perfectly fine.   I've actually surfed trying to find negative feedback, and there really isn't any.     I have 7 of their reels and 3 of their fly rods, and have absolutely zero complaints.   

[tjm]

10 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Man you gotta try a reel like @fishinwrenchposted.   Crazy light.  The fly line and backing might weigh more than the reel.  

I have too many reels now, 15 or 20 Medalists and 10 or 12 Sal Trouts and 6-10  others that I don't recall brands. The first Medalist cost me almost a day's  wages back then so any time that I see one selling cheap I'm tempted to buy it. That started by looking for one to have as parts, which are no longer available. Actually I have too many rods and too much fly tying stuff also.

[Devan S.]

9 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

As far as I know all of their stuff is perfectly fine.   I've actually surfed trying to find negative feedback, and there really isn't any.     I have 7 of their reels and 3 of their fly rods, and have absolutely zero complaints.   

I've got their 5wt rod/reel and a 9wt rod and reel from them. Like both of them. Also use their yellow braid for crappie...cheap and works. Only downside on the 9wt is the dial for the drag seems to drift and change a lot. 

I did buy one of their bait casting reels and wish I hadn't. I bought it to put on a backup rod and it seems in the little bit I've used the brake system isn't as consistent as a more expensive reel. Could be me and I haven't dedicated to pick it up and use it non-stop because its a backup maybe one of these days.

 

[FishnDave]

Waterworks Lamson Konic is my favorite reel, no longer made.  Their Remix reel is an excellent replacement.

 

[BilletHead]

           Good question,

    I have such a mis matched bunch of reels, and all seem to do fine. Have has a couple not happy with I have returned. I will tell you one thing I am most happy with the reel I am catching with at that time. A couple have had the drag loosen up but never tighten. I mostly palm reel for drag anyway even on my larger hybrids. If I lose a fish, it is something I have done.  I can understand large pelagic fish needing the best drag available but not most of the fish we deal with here in the Midwest. Striper maybe but I have not caught many of them to be an expert.