Reccomended Fly Reels?

[Diggedy]

Can anyone make a reccomendation for a good flyreel? I'm looking at the Lamson Velocity, Teton Tioga and Orvis Battenkill LA. It would need to do double-duty in the salt and handle the abusive runs of NY trib Chinooks.

Thanks,

DS

[Quicksilver]

IMHO warranty and drag of the Lamson and Teton is superior to Orvis.

[AlderBrookFarm]

One of the fly magazines I get reviewed a bunch of reels this past winter. I remember Lamson being high on the list. I'll have to look to see if I still have it kicking around.

[Catch22]

http://www.outdoorreview.com/jump^page^flycrx.aspx
is a good place to start. This site has reviews by every day people like you and me.
You'll have to excuse me if I don't put much faith in the reviews of a magazine. I have a hard time believing that a major advertiser is going to get a negative review by the editorial staff even if their product is deficient.
As far as personal experience, I have a Tioga that I use for salt & salmon. It hasn't let me down yet, and I don't expect it will anytime soon.

[fraserj1]

I have a Tioga #8 which has caught a dozen or so False Albacore, not to mention blues and stripers too numerous to count. I've owned and used Lamsons, Redingtons, Orvis Battenkill and Tiogas and for the money, the Tioga has been the best value.

FWIW, the Orvis was the worst value of the reels I mentioned above. It performed well and the very large arbor was great, but for the money ($250ish) the finish didn't seem all that great (painted as opposed to anodized on the others?).

Teton also has a line of reels called the Specialist line, which is a true large arbor reel like the Redington AL series and Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor. These are in the same price range as all mentioned above (except Tioga) and are designed specifically for the salt with some sort of extra hard anodization. Might be worth a look.

(But, again, for the most bang for the buck, you can't go wrong with the Tioga).

:D

[PhilDKreal]

I highly reccommend the Velocity. I have the 3.5 (9W), and just purchsed the 3 (7W) which I will be trying out tomorrow.

Used the 3.5 for bones in April and it was outstanding. The drag is very smooth, and the reel is light and well made.

Paid $215.00 for it.

Steve

[Chris Chick]

Although it's a bit pricey, for a fly reel that will floor you, check out the Valentine, with planetary gear system. It's available in an 8/9 weight and a larger 10/11 weight. It's a true anti-reverse, rather than direct drive. It's made in Norton, MA by a family business that loves to fish, and they made it for that reason. Like I said it's a bit expensive, aboout $430 but definitely worth every penny.

[BillMichelinie]

Of the three you mentioned, the Lamson is the best. The Tioga is the best reel for the money. Forget the Orvis fot the salt.

Don't miss the other fine Lamson/Waterworks reels. The good 'ol LP series is an excellent traditional fly reel that will do well in the salt with the normal bath afterwards. The Litespeed is a fantastic reel in my opinion, also large arbor. Has the same sealed cone-in-cone drag as the Velocity.

[maxg]

have a look at Old Florida, they have a wide range and you can get one frame and three spool types. Like get a model 7 frame and a LA and Super Arbor spool. They also have a 4.5 inch LA model 8. new and rods. Might be worth a look, in the right porice range. Max

[Capt.Dale]

Go with the valentine if it is in your price range.More bass, blues, bonito and albies than you can count.Picks up line fast, has a good drag and easy on your knuckles.................Mine is 5 years old and still kicking.


Capt. Dale

[kayaker]

My Lamson has served me well for years, but so has a low-priced Pfleuger Medalist. For stripers and blues, the economical Medalist is a winner.

[David Churbuck]

I second the Valentine. I've fished the planetary "knuckle-saver" and have owned a regular Valentine since I started fishing the salt with the fly in '91.

I fished the Valentine two night ago on bluefish and it is still a champ. Drag system is a bit of a ...drag. The old knobs were too small and the set up isn't half as slick as say a Tibor cork.

I have lots of friends who fish the Orvis. I don't especially like the reels, but my feeling on reels, at least for blues and small stripers, is they are little more than line holders and rarely, if ever, have I had to truly depend on the drag like I do with bonito and albs.

That's my vote. Valentine is cheap, built like a truck, but not carried by as many dealers as the other brands you're considering.

[Chris Chick]

Nice to see Capt. Dale & Mr. Churbuck have the same good taste and sense that I do. Short of the total wallet busting of an Abel or even worse a Henschel (the best in the world, bar none) the Valentine PL-9 is far superior to anything else mentioned, even the Pfleuger Medalist.

Chris

[AlderBrookFarm]

If you're thinking Pflueger then take a look a the Pfleuger Supreme 1890. My kid bought me one for Mother's Day from Hamilton Marine. It was $59.99 for the 10 wt reel.

[pafish]

I just got back from Alaska and hooked and fought close to 70 sockeye for the week (landed ~50) with a cortland magnum. The reel cost $100 and performed surprisingly well, however the drag finally crapped the bed on a foul hooked chum which ran into heavy current. We decided to chase it w/ the boat instead of breaking it off so it was really poor judgement which caused the demise of the reel (IMO). I borrowed the guides teton and the drag slipped on the first sockeye I hooked. The younger guide said he wasn't very impressed w/ Tioga (he received it as a tip) and for his money perferred Ross. The older guides all used Mitchell's (762's, I think). I believe the Mitchell's are discontinued but I fished w/ one and it could stop a truck, but they (guides) told me the Mitchell's are very particular to getting dunked and probably require too much care for the average angler. BTW Cortland said they will fix my reel for shipping and handling costs ($10). I would feel more comfortable w/ a better reel than the magnum on any hard running fish. Anybody use a Ross?

[jpkil318]

Ross reels are great reels. I find them similar to Tibor without the insane price. very good very durable just awsoem reels

[Recoil Rob]

Any comments on the Van Staal C-Vex reels?

Rob

[msiler]

See the Fly Tackle forum - there's a mint Islander for sale at a great price!

[Maineiac]

I own two Teton "Tioga" reels. I.M.O. they are the best value and construction. One I use strictly in fresh water, the other I use in fresh and salt water. They have never failed. The fit and finish is excellent. The drag seems to be indestructable and quite smooth. Look for a reel that is constructed from C.N.C. machined, solid bar stock, aircraft grade Aluminum. Most manufacturers refuse to admit this, but a reel coated with Gold Anodize finish is not meant to be used in the salt. Black Anodize is preferred for use in the salt as black holds up 10 times better. Gold looks cool but that is it. Gold also has a better chance of catching the sunlight and spooking wary fish, ecpecially Trout.

[msiler]

" Most manufacturers refuse to admit this, but a reel coated with Gold Anodize finish is not meant to be used in the salt. "

Mainiac - I think you need to talk to TIBOR, BILLY PATE, ISLANDER and a host of other TOP NAME reel manufacturers who ALL produce reels MADE FOR THE ABUSIVE conditions of the Saltwater environment and have been withstanding those conditions for MANY MANY years.

I would be interested to hear you reasoning and justification behond your statement?!?! Do you have any studies or information showing this statement to be true? No trying to be obnoxious, just curious about this comment...

Happy Holidays,

[dondkim]

Can you beat Charlton?

I got Charlton 8500 signature .8 reel for $650 7 or 8 years ago and the price has gone to $850 last year.

Quality? Please compare with any other top rated reels in the market and judge yourself.

:-% :-% --127-3-

[christhebrewer]

I'm new to the forum, really enjoyed reading your comments about reels. Where can I find more information on these Valentine reels people were mentioning?
Does anyone have any feedback on Bauer Mackenzie reels?

[Just Throw]

I am a huge proponent of Bauer reels. I own two Bauer M4 reels they have not caused me any problems. They are lifetime guaranteed if you should have any problems. Right now you can pick up the older M4 series for under $300 because they changed the design slightly with the newer model. Most importanly the new spools work with the older M4 model--heard this directly from Bauer. I don't think you will find a better large arbor reel of this quality for the price.

[Ray]

I'd love to hear more about the rational behind gold anodizing being less effective against saltwater corrosion.

Ps. Don't clean your reels with a bleach solution. Bleach loves to erode anodizing, even hard-coating. That's why you see very few anodized medical devices and instruments. 10% bleach is frequently used in sterilization processes.

[tbn43]

Any comments on

1) lamson velocity 3.5.
2) new Scientific Anglers System 2 LA

Both are reasonably priced around $225.

Any other recommendations at this price point?

[HLDflyguy]

IMO! I have owned most of the reels mentioned over the last 50 yrs or so and all I use now are the Gilmore reels made in Vermont!! They are made fot the salt and have the best drag in the industry aduel disc drag that acts like the calipers on your brakes. They are the hard anodize III well made the come either direct or anti reverse (same price) and will tke both a std or large arbor spool. I use the 8/9 std for stripers and albacore put on the lg arbor for the tribs at lake Ontario. I have taken tuna and tarpon on the 12wt. They are the best performing reel I have used. This is my humble opinion!!!!! They deserve a close look!

[canyondiver]

I am so bummed reading this post...
Now I have to get all my Penn Internationals, Fin-nors Pates and Shimano Calcuttas stripped, polished and re-anodised in black.
They are going to be really hot to hold under an August sun too!! --124-3

[paflyfisher]

IMO! I have owned most of the reels mentioned over the last 50 yrs or so and all I use now are the Gilmore reels made in Vermont!! They are made fot the salt and have the best drag in the industry aduel disc drag that acts like the calipers on your brakes. They are the hard anodize III well made the come either direct or anti reverse (same price) and will tke both a std or large arbor spool. I use the 8/9 std for stripers and albacore put on the lg arbor for the tribs at lake Ontario. I have taken tuna and tarpon on the 12wt. They are the best performing reel I have used. This is my humble opinion!!!!! They deserve a close look!

I am interested to read you comment. I just purchased a Gilmore X400 a week ago. I put a 9-wt on the standard spool with 200+ yards of 30lb backing and an 8-wt on the large arbor with about 200 yards of 20lb backing. My reel is direct drive but I am planning on picking up the Direct Drive to Anti-Reverse conversion kit along with another standard arbor spool for a 10-wt in the near future. For $169 for the conversion kit and $99 for a spool, you can't go wrong. Then I will have both DD and AR capability with the same reel. Cool!

By the way, it sounds like you have more than one. Then again, I don't know, maybe you're a rep. ;) But I'm not. :) I really like the design of this reel and am looking forward to pushing it hard this year and seeing how well it performs. As I said in a previous post, I've heard nothing but good things from Jim Williams up at Just Reels who has been using the Gilmores alot for the past year or so.

[HLDflyguy]

I am NOT a rep!! But I did alot of the field testing of the reels for the last two years or so and found them to be just what they say they are!!! Yes I do do the shows for them but only because I really believe in the reel. I am retired so I fish alot and have been fishing the salt since 1957 and at one time or another have owned most of the top reels. I had a shop for a number of years and was able to get the reels at good prices all I have left is my Fin Nor and an original Valentine 375 the rest have been sold and all I use are the Gilmores.. I emphasize I really do not work for them but know them well now! Guides should really look closely at this reel as well!! Best with yor new reel you will love it Howie

[paflyfisher]

I meant no ill by my comment. It sounded like you had the entire Gilmore line-up and I threw out a flip comment. Sorry.

Anyway, I am about as impressed with the Gilmore as I can be given I have yet to wet a line with it. :)

I spoke to Dave today and ordered the DD to AR conversion kit for my X400. I had purchased the reel from Jim Williams at Just Reels in Wisconsin (I bought several reels from him over the years) but when I called today for the conversion kit, his answering machine said he was chasing billfish and dorado down in Guatamala. I wanted the kit for a show-and-tell this weekend so went direct to Dave.

Darn, I just can't wait to hit the water with this baby.

Once again, I apologize. No offense intended. I know I get the same way about backing a product that I really believe in.

Ed
paflyfisher

[canyondiver]

Looked the Gilmores over last night and I have to say..
They sure look very well built and I like the design!
The DD to AR conversion kit is pretty neat too!

[HLDflyguy]

None taken! Get a large arbor spool and use the reel for fishing the great lakes tribs. The drag is the best I have ever used. It will not be long for stripers in New England. The resident fish are starting to move and the migrants are not far behind. The end of April and we will be in full fishing mode!! I am ready now all the equipment is ready just waiting for the fish. Again have a great season Howie

[theibis]

I have used Valentine Reels for many years and I can attest to the fact that they are a sturdy and reliable reel, capable of hard use with minimum maintenance. I also have Abel and Tibor Reels, but they're very pricey. You can't go wrong with the Valentine for the money!

[eng5]

Hi. If your going to spend money on the Lamson Velocity, why don't you compare it with the Teton instead of the TIoga. The Teton has a better coating on it for the salt than the Tioga, although the Tioga is probably the best or one of the best for the money, and I think they both have the same drag system. I have a Velocity 3.5, and I really like it, very smooth, I am not to carzy about how you change the spool, you have to pull it off, but it wouldn't stop me from buying another.
I have a Teton 7, and I also lilke it very much. Very few moving parts and about the same price as the Velocity, a bit heavier than the velocity though.
The start up pull (not sure of correct terminology) on the Teton is much higher than the Velocity. That can be good in a way, because it helps prevent backlash.
IMHO you can't go wrong with either, but the Lamson is lighter.

[wajdi]

For the money invested, a Pflueger Medalist 1595 1/2 can't be beat. Extra spools are $7.50 each. And the things are darned near bullet-proof. I've used one for years, and have no complaints. Just take the thing down and lube it every once in a while.

wajdi in Mobile