Looking for advice

[Backcast]

I am new to chasing steelhead with flies and would appreciate some help.
I want to find a large arbor reel for under $150. Is the Pflueger President a good choice? Are there better reels in that price range?
I also want to add a sink tip line. I am thinking of buying the Rio Versi-tip ststem but have questions about the casting of a line with a loop joint. I tried using a 5 ft. fast sinking polyleader looped to the short butt leader on my floating line and had trouble casting. The heavy sink tip flopes around (hinges) and does not flow smoothly out. Is the loop joint on the Versi-tip system going to do the same? Are there better choices? How about Teeny lines?
Sorry about all the questions: but after 60 years of going though all the steelheader stages (got first one...finally got another... get the most.. get the largest... use the lightest line...turn them loose) it's time I advance to doing better with the fly.
Thanks

[BigSkyHunter]

Welcome to iFish Backcast !!

I don't know anything about Pflueger reels but I would suggest the Battenkill Large Arbor Fly Reel made by Orvis. It retails for $159 dollars on their website but you can pick them up for less if you shop around. They are excellent reels with a very reliable disk drag system and are super light being made of aluminium. I am sure other members will have suggestions of other reels that will work just fine too, I just prefer this one.

The RIO versi tip system should work well and you should not have the same problem that you described if set up properly. It may take some getting use to though depending on your casting abilities.

I am unfamiliar with Teeny line, though it always seems to be cheaper than RIO line.

I am sure you will get some excellent input from other members.

BSH

[padisharcreel]

The best suggestion I have ever rec'd in this area, was to hire a fly fishing guide for half a day and seek their wisdom. There are a lot of them in the Portland area to choose from. Perhaps attending your local fly fishing club meeting would get you on the road to a good rig. In fact, I hired a guide that is also a shop owner and he let my try several rigs before buying - a big plus.

Hope this helps

[Slow and Low]

Versa tips cast great. I use lamson velocity on all my steelhead rods with the exception of a galvan which is not as good. Seems like cabelas has a close out. I reccomend a 3.5 for a one hander 7 or 8 weight rod.

Good luck.

[mgdfly]

The Orvis battenkill barstock MID-arbor reel is my choice. The number 5 will hold a WF8F line with 200 plus yards of backing. who needs more? It retails for $129. Either the RIO versatip or Cortland 444 equivalent will work great, no need for extra spools. Both cast great with the new loop technology, better than many old standard sink tips. Good luck.

[Backcast]

Thsnks for the great help. It looks like the versi-tip will be a good choice and I now have leads on a couple of reels.
Thanks.

[Mojo]

I'm with 'headhunter. I just bought a Battenkill mid arbor for my bonefish/light permit rod. It has a nice drag, holds my bonefish line and 300 yards of gelspun backing, and has a great warantee.