need a new reel

[Randall]

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.

[Greg]

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

[Fox Statler]

http://www.willowford.net/Marryat%20Reels.html

[Randall]

hey thanks for the help, i appreciate it

[dpenrod]

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.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

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

[rmueller]

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.

[Greg]

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

[Roaring River Veteran]

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