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Posted

i've been wanting a new reel for a while now, but i need some input before i decide what to do. right now, i have a sage model 106 that i've had for about a decade now. its loud enough to drive me nuts, and doesn't have adjustable drag.

i have a tight budget- $125-130 at most. i've been looking at the orvis battenkill mid arbor, but i haven't ever seen (or heard) one in action. i was wondering if anybody had anything to say about it, or any other reel in the same price range.

Cute animals taste better.

Posted

The Ross Cimmaron is right at the upper end of that price range. I have 2 of them and I really like them both. I had a slight problem with one of them early on and had to send it in for service (they have a lifetime warranty) and they had it back to me in 3 or 4 days. And it was fixed right. No problems since despite heavy usage. For a little less (maybe $80?) the Ross flywater has the same great drag but not a lifetime warranty. But they do offer to always fix the flywater for a flat fee of $25. I don't have one but I'm sure it is a good reel.

I also have a fly logic reel that performs really well. It is the optimum model which is somewhat above the price range you stated. But fly logic also has a "premium series" that is well within your price range (I think $80 to $100) with a lifetime warranty. Something you may like about all fly logic reels is that you can adjust the outgoing drag sound to 3 different settings: silent, very quiet, and quiet. I have mine on the quiet setting as I like some sound.

As you can probably tell I am something of a "connoisseur" of fly reels - much to my wife's dismay.

Good luck!

Greg

"My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it" - Koos Brandt

Greg Mitchell

Posted

hey thanks for the help, i appreciate it

Cute animals taste better.

Posted

randall, i just purchased a teton tioga #4 on ebay for $89. talked to several people who say they are as tough as nails. just checked today and some #4 blems are going for $68. do a search on teton tiogas on ebay and you'll see what i'm talking about. if i had seen the blems, i'd have bought one of those and saved myself $20.

Posted

Have you considered any of the reels by Bass Pro or Cabelas ? High end reels for low end prices for sure.

I will echo the thoughts on the Teton Tioga, they are sweet reels for under a 100 bucks!

best of luck, let us know what you get - Brian

Just once I wish a trout would wink at me!

ozarkflyfisher@gmail.com

I'm the guy wearing the same Simms longbilled hat for 10 years now.

  • Members
Posted

I agree with the suggestion of the tioga reel. I own the #2, #4, #6 & #8 all with multiple spools. I got all the reels from the same ebay store (ranchodeluxe) that was mentioneed by depenrod. You can get a #4 with a spare spool for around $130 (this includes shipping).

I have found the tiogas to be tough and dependable. They have tons of backing capacity and a great drag system. They are "fully caged" reels and that can get a little anoying when trying to initially retrieve the leader/tippet while stringing up your fly rod...but thats about it. The orvis mid arbor is a nice reel too and a little heavier than the tiogas.

Hope this helps.

Posted

I also agree that the teton Tioga is a great reel for the money. I bought one off ebay (same store mentioned above) for my wife last summer. She really likes it and it seems like a great reel especially for the $$. One thing to note though is that I heard that Teton filed partial bankruptcy. I think they are working through it - but if they would go under the lifetime warranties out there would be void.

Greg

"My biggest worry is that my wife (when I'm dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it" - Koos Brandt

Greg Mitchell

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Randall,

I have not fished the battenkill mid arbors, but I have used several of the old battenkills and they are quiet and great reels for the money. I don't think you can go wrong with orvis.

let us know what you go with and give a report. I have been considering a mid arbor for a new 6 wt.

Happy Shopping

RRV

Good luck and Good fishing

RRV

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