need advise on a new reel

holyhogmolly · 11-01-2005, 08:45 AM

hola water whipers!

i've never had any "good" fly gear, and my gf just bought me a new brand new Glen Wicks custom fly rod, so i figured that i should get a nice new reel to go on it instead of my old hand-me-down from the sixties.

so...

what should i get, the rod is a 5wt, and i'm not looking to go broke over it, so any suggestions

thanks guys

~hhm

Steve L. · 11-01-2005, 08:57 AM

Looks like another case of GAS :grin:

I'm a confirmed Ross Reels Cimmaron model guy. Unconditional lifetime warranty, machined aluminium, smooth, takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin' and affordable up front and spare spools. They're relatively light compared to other reels and balance well on my rods ( 5,7, 10 ). Aside from that I can't think of anything good about them

. The # 3 for your 5 wt will set you back $160, spare spool $84, the # 2 is a bit less expensive, but I like the way the #3 balanced on my 9' 5 wt.

Mark Vickers · 11-01-2005, 09:04 AM

I'm not familiar with that rod, so I'll have to lay it out like this...

Are you a bamboo or graphite guy?
Are you a biplane or a space shuttle?
Depending on your answers:
Hardy or Loop

AndyK · 11-01-2005, 09:17 AM

I've never caught a trout (or steelhead or salmon) with a fly reel; you catch them with a good rod, the correct line, the right leader and fly and most of all presentation!

That said, get a reel that has inexpensive extra spools and spend the money you save on a good selection of lines.

HazMatt · 11-01-2005, 09:47 AM

I have an Old Florida for my spey reel. I love it when I upgrade my single hander, I will likely get one of their smaller reels. Very good for the money, US made - now owned by Mustad.

EugeneFisher · 11-01-2005, 01:13 PM

AndyK said it perfect. I always splurge on the rod and line, and get a good but inexpensive reel.

Right now I'm quite happy with my Orvis Battenkills. They run around $129.00, and perform excellently. And they tend to be quite light. I have one on my 3wt and 8wt.

An even more inexpensive reel that I could rave on for days about is the Okuma Magnitude ML 5/6. It goes for about 80 bucks at G.I. Joes, has a large arbor, excellent disc drag, and looks kinda cool.

lilnorthfork · 11-01-2005, 01:41 PM

I have an Orvis Battenkill Disc for the 3wt. and am really happy with it. The 5 and 8 weights have Scientific Anglers System 2L's... also happy with them. Decent enough reels for the money and you can often find the SA's new on e-bay for about half price.

lnf

N.U.Angler · 11-01-2005, 06:42 PM

This last summer I splurged on a Teton Tioga Magnum for my Steelhead outfit. They are the midrange reel on a large arbor, have an excellent drag, great warranty, and are made in California so your supporting a USA company! I havn't found anything to complain about with my Tioga.

Howard

lilnorthfork · 11-01-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

This last summer I splurged on a Teton Tioga Magnum for my Steelhead outfit. They are the midrange reel on a large arbor, have an excellent drag, great warranty, and are made in California so your supporting a USA company! I havn't found anything to complain about with my Tioga.

Howard

I have a Magnum 10wt.. Is Teton still in biz? Website has been 'under construction' for a long time and their phone number rings and rings and rings and rings...

lnf

santiamflyguy · 11-01-2005, 09:24 PM

Orvis Battenkill Bar Stock is a great reel and will run for years...about $130...good drag and lightweight.

Cheaper is the Loomis Venture series...a #5 would be nice...run about $100...if you can stand the ugly color (some say it is beautiful, i say it spooks fish).

Discontinued Redington CT is a great little click/pawl trout reel and you can find them on eBay every once in a while still.

If you feel like blowing a lot of money, Abel is the way to go, IMHO.

clacksteel · 11-02-2005, 06:13 AM

Quote:

I have a Magnum 10wt.. Is Teton still in biz? Website has been 'under construction' for a long time and their phone number rings and rings and rings and rings...

I just bought a new Teton reel, so I sure hope they are still in business!

mandinga · 11-02-2005, 11:41 AM

The first "nice" fly reel i ever bought was an orvis rocky mountain. that was 10 years or so ago...i still use that reel today.

It was $65 at the time.

N.U.Angler · 11-02-2005, 06:07 PM

As far as I know Teton is still in business, Joe hasn't had any trouble getting them at our local shop.

BTW; my Magnum is a model ten also.

Howard

Big Ben · 11-02-2005, 07:20 PM

I've had the Orvis BBS-III for a year now and I really like it on my 590-LL. $129 sometimes Orvis has them on sale at 20% off.

holyhogmolly · 11-02-2005, 08:27 PM

ok, so i've been looking at these for the last few days, and since i've only had the old hand me down stuff, and i don't really know, what does it mean for a reel to have disc drag, and is it a good thing to have on a fly reel?

thanks in advance

~hhm

Mark Vickers · 11-03-2005, 08:35 AM

For big fish, where you fight the fish on the reel, a disk drag is way better (if its a good one).

For little fish where you strip them in, it doesn't matter.

NCL · 11-18-2005, 09:31 AM

I guess it really depends on how much you have to spend. I think the best bargain right now is the Galvan OB series. I have other brands but since finding Galvan it is the only reel I will buy. I find the Galvan is as smooth as the Abel at a lesser price. I have not tried Ross so I can't speak to how these two would compare. With that being said I would also agree that the reel is the one place you can probably get by a little cheaper. Mitch

GWH · 11-18-2005, 10:26 AM

Ill second/thirdt the vote for the Tioga, Great reels for the money

dryflynut · 11-18-2005, 10:38 AM

Purchased a Bauer M2 SuperLite this last year for my 5wt and have had no issue.