WELCOME, Joe, to FAOL!
I, truly hope, that you enjoy yourself here. There's a ton of not only great information, but an equal amount of fine fly fishermen giving their own, ideas and opinions,on about anything you can think to ask about!
Just like your question "An idea, on an inexpensive fly reel"............ I'm VERY surprised, that you don't already have a few hundred "ideas and opinions already listed here!?!! (MAYBE, every one's asleep?!).
Anyhow, I'm sure you'll get many answers to your question, soon enough.
I could, suggest a few reels, for you to consider but first might ask, "What is YOUR personal average of "inexpensive", dollar and cents wise?
If it's "college student poverty level", like it was for ME, when I was in college, then I'd suggest looking at the Pflueger line of conventional style reels, or, the Okuma line of reels, perhaps. And, there's sure nothing wrong with the good old "Medalist" model of Pflueger reels either!
Obviously, fishing a 4wt. on small streams, you're not going to be needing a "Tarpon quality drag" on a reel!?!
Whatever may be suggested, just keep in mind that "every thing is a personal OPINION",from each person chosen by either experience, and/or, personal likes and dislikes and nothing more than that.
Anyway, again, WELCOME!!
Last edited by flybinder; 03-13-2008 at 07:36 AM.
Saint Paul-"The Highly Confused"
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson