Hardy Marquis salmon reel

[MikeT]

I'm downsizing my 2-hand rod.....put the 8150 up for sale and looking at a couple 7-wt. and 6/7-wt. 13-footers.

Since my single handers have click and pawl reels, I'd really like to go with something like that for the new spey stick.

The Hardy Marquis #2 Salmon seems like the obvious (affordable) choice, but I'm open to suggestions. I really like my other Hardys, but have heard the Marquis Salmon may not be especially durable. Anyone fish this reel?

BTW, if anyone has a 4-inch Perfect lying around that they'll sell for cheap, I'm your guy!:)

thanks in advance.....Mike

[rjs]

With the size spey rod you're thinking about the Hardy Salmon 1 would also be a good choice. Also, the old Orvis Madison which was made for Orvis by British Fly Reels (BFR) works well for lighter spey lines. It's a double pawl reel like the Marquis but has an open cage and so is more convenient.

Good luck.

[MikeT]

rjs,

Do you know which size Madison would be suitable? I did a search and found several for sale, but they were all smaller models.

thanks....Mike

[Whiskey Dick]

I use the Marquis #2 and #3 also the Perfect 4" and 41/4". I have had no problems with any of them and Marquis reels i have used for the last 30 years in one size or other.Here is a pic of my Hardy's and i have also added a couple of Perfect 41/4" since the pic was taken:) .

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/steelheadr99/2006-01-12HardyReels001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/steelheadr99/HardyPerfect_edited.jpg

[speydude]

I use a Marquis #3 on my 15 footer. It's very hardy (no pun intended). Plus, I just love the sound it makes when I hook up. If there is anyone else around they all know that I have a fish on. The reel really screams.

[MikeT]

I'm outfitted.
I found a Sage 6126 (recently discontinued model) that I fell in love with. Just what I had in mind for a light 2-hander for summers. The shop wanted it out of there so knocked $200 off the list price. Sold....

I also found a nearly new Marquis #1 Salmon on Ebay for a decent price.

I'm ready. If the reel gets here soon I might be able to squeeze in a day or two on the JD or Deschutes.

Thanks for the input.

BTW, I love the pics of your reels, Whiskey Dick. That Perfect is a real beauty. If I could learn to reel RH I'd seriously think about finding one. I've heard the few LHW models they made are worth a small fortune.

Mike