reels

[jeffg]

OK,
I haven't bought a fly reel in about 4 years now. Needless to say, there is a hell of a lot more choice out there now and I have not had the pleasure of sampling the majority of them. So, who has a reel that was under $300 that they LOVE and why?
Looking at a reel that will hold 9-11 wt line for the salt, capable of taking a minor beating as the back up rod on my boat--New England species only.

I'm keeping an open mind, the one requirement is that it is machined. I've been using Orvis Batttenkills forever, which are molded, and they warp if you stare at them the wrong way--fortunately I've gotten free relpacements approximately every other year...but who wants to deal with that.

Fire away...

Jeff G.

[Rocky]

Jeff....I like my Ryalls. I have an #8 and #10 and both performed well all year including a thorough drag testing down in NC on size large Albies. The reels have only been used one year so I can't speak to their longevity, but mine still look like new. (I am pretty anal regarding cleaning and maintaining my stuff)The Ryalls look very similar to the Tiogas and Tetons, but I like the finish on the Ryalls a bit better.
All that being said my next reel will probably be something else just for a change. Have you looked at the new Battenkill?? I'm not a big fan of Orvis but they lok nice in the pictures!;-))E-mail Adam, he has enough equipment to open his own fly shop and he loves to read and talk about gear (because he does not have much of a life and has little else to do).
R-

[Adam-Albino]

<P><FONT color=black face=Verdana,Geneva size=2>funny :-)</FONT></P>
<P>my shop opens next spring.....</P>
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[DaveBoucher]

Been Pleased with My Tioga...

[BobD]

All the reels mentioned, Ryall, Teton, Tioga throw in the Old Florida. They are all built like a brick sh&%house and all under $300 with great warranties.

Bob D<BR><img src="http://www.watersedge-charters.com/nebaylogo.gif">

[josko]

Would someone please tell me why the Sci Anglers II is not the greatest ever? Just spent a week bonefish, cuda and shark fishing. Ya, the SA II 89 might not be as smooth as some reels, but I'd be durned if I can figure out if there's anything wrong with them for bonefishing. Landed a 54" 'cuda on a SA 1011, and the drag had no trouble. I use my 89 a LOT each summer, and it's still running strong. Other than earheading, do we really need more reel for anything (12+ wt excepted)?

[MarkD]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Ross reels!

They are machined aluminum, have a sealed drag system, a lifetime guarantee, guaranteed two day turn around time if they ever need servicing, and they are light and durable.

An Abel Super 8 weighs 8.1 oz., and holds #8 + 200yds of 20 lbs. backing. An Abel Super 10 weighs 8.7 oz., and holds #10 + 200yds of 30 lbs. backing. For half of the Abel price you can get a Ross G-5 (6.1 oz., #9 + 250yds of 20 lbs. backing) or the larger Ross Saltwater #3 (7.2 oz., #10 + 275yds of 20 lbs. backing). Abel must charge by weight!?!

Is aluminum that expensive?

Ross reels are king in my book.

My .02.

[bdowning]

Now that we've completely befuddled jeffg... ;-);

I also vote for the old warhorse, the SA II. Rugged and reasonably priced. Only criticism is that it is slightly heavy for all day casting, but that's really a minor point and I don't cast all day anyway.

-bd


<img src="http://world.std.com/~bdowning/fishing_lg_wte.gif">

[kirkb]

Jeff- I cast my vote for the Tioga's, but like what I see of the new Reddingtons. Machined and Lifetime Warranty. Drag seems quite smooth and can really tighten down.
Kirk

[jeffg]

Thanks fellas,
nothing like quick, timely, impassioned responses (especially Joskos). NOw I get to go out and play with all these toys for the next few weeks. I do think SA's are a little heavy, but only because I have been know to cast for 10 straight hours.

Going to look at the new Battenkills for the hell o fit at lunch today, although I don't think they are at the top of my list right now.

No die-hard Lamson folks on this board anymore???

After "getting by" with a very average unmachined reel for so long (which I am still using), I think anything is gonna be a step up. I'll let you know what brand wins....

Thanks again.

Jeff G.

[Adam-Albino]

&nbsp;<SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">Mark - You are correct.&nbsp;I have a Ross SW-3 and its one good reel. It is very strong and lighter then a lot of the super high end stuff. I don't put it in my "favorite" category lots of times because I absolutely HATE the "clicker" noise the drag catches make. Also some of the cheesy plastic parts have got&nbsp;to go.</SPAN>
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[Adam-Albino]

<P><FONT color=black face=Verdana,Geneva size=2>OK Josko I'll tell you :-)... If I have a choice between two very good reels - at the same&nbsp;or nearly so price, and one is machined T-6061 (or similar) and one is cast aluminum - guess which one I'd buy.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Lets not forget, Pflueger Medilasts caught fish like giant Tarpon and Sailfish in the 50's and 60's - but I wouldnt want to fish one today. Its the difference between "old tech" materials, and new.</FONT></P>
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[josko]

Well, the way i see it, the thing could be made out of clay and magic dust; if it holds up as well as my Nobska regular SA II 89, and the drag is not sticky, does it really make a difference.

BTW, I bring out my US-made Medalist every once in a while, and am actually casting round the auctions for another one. I bought that reel in 1976, carried it from Alaska to Seychelles ande everything in between, and it's still in great shape. I really wonder if the Abels and other current top-of-the-line will have that kind of staying power. Marco will get the medalist when he's old enough to appreciate it, and that's as it should be.

[Adam-Albino]

<FONT color=black face=Verdana,Geneva size=2>A&nbsp;VW will drive you between point A and B just as well as a BMW. I'd rather have the BMW. (BTW I have a VW, and you have a BMW.....Hmmmm....wanna trade? :-)</FONT>
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[gregk]

I just purchased two used (6+years old) Billy Pates, look virtually unused. Sending them to the factory for conversion to left hand wind.
These are my first top notch reels.
But what I fish with the other 99.5% of the time is Medalists and Tiogas......(I don't catch tunoids :-(
My 2 cents
greg