View Full Version : New Reel?
Steelheader12
02-11-2009, 08:05 PM
Im kinda new at flyfishing for salmon and steelhead and I was looking to buy a salmon/steelhead reel to put on my new TFO professional series 8 wt. rod any suggestions for a good reel under $200 and maybe some suggestions for line? Any help appreciated, thanks in advance :flowered:
East Fork by GLoomis is a heck of a reel for the money... Light, great drag and faily durable w/ a large arbor.
Skunked
02-11-2009, 08:51 PM
I think you can find discontinued Lamson's (all models) on closeout right now. I've never used one so I can't comment on their effectiveness but you could probably find one cheap on the net right now.
clarkman23
02-11-2009, 09:26 PM
So far I like my Lamson. The drag is great, I can't speak for the reels overall durability though since I haven't had mine for more than a year. I'm a huge fan of Ross reels personally. I think that if you ask ten people, you'll get ten different opinions based on their own experiences. I will suggest this: get down to a shop and look at, touch, hold, play with all of their reels...you'll get a pretty good sense of what type of quality you'll like.
Zugbug66
02-11-2009, 10:46 PM
i've also had alot of luck with Ross reels. Not fancy, they just work well.
I have a C4's on my single handed 7 and 8wt's. good reels!
Wayne
neuronick
02-12-2009, 10:43 AM
Steelheader12,
Do you have the 9' or 10' TFO? I have the 10' 8wt pro series and I like a heavier line on it. It handles a 9wt SA GPX very well as an all-around line. I needed to carry a lot of line in the air to load the rod with my old 8wt line (but I could double-haul a long way with enough backcast room). The heavier line seems more practical for most of my steelhead applications. I also just put an SA single-hand Skagit head (ST-8; 400 grain) and it feels good for spey casting. My reel is a Tioga 8 Mag and it balances the rod well.
Nick
Slow and Low
02-12-2009, 04:32 PM
pretty hard to beet a lamson velocity. I have fished them for several years. You can find them cheap. A 3.5 or a 3.0 depending on your taste.
Steelheader12
02-12-2009, 07:38 PM
Thanks a lot for all the help and to answer Neuronick's question i have a 9ft. 8wt. TFO
Steelheader12
02-12-2009, 07:47 PM
I like the lamson because i like all the line capacity and smooth drag and you guys were saying i can find a lamson for cheap any help to where i can get one. flyshops or ebay possibly? :shrug:
Skunked
02-12-2009, 09:22 PM
I like the lamson because i like all the line capacity and smooth drag and you guys were saying i can find a lamson for cheap any help to where i can get one. flyshops or ebay possibly? :shrug:
Yes I do, but they aren't ifish sponsors so...
google "madison river fishing company" (pretty sure that is your cheapest bet)
also try "fly shop closeouts"
If your interested in the velocity 4 I have an unused one I am trying to sell but that's better suited for a 10 wt
Backcast
02-13-2009, 09:43 AM
Re. the Eastfork by Loomis
I took one to Alaska Silver (Coho) fishing last fall. After 5 or 6 fish the drag was toast and I was left to use it the rest of the trip. Fishing was great with many hookups every day, but playing fish without a drag was not good.
To Loomis's credit, they rebuilt the real with new drag at no cost. They told me this model must stay dry. When you are waist deep in water and releasing fish it is hard to keep your reel out of the water.