The articles by JC and LF, showing the albright multiplier, has me thinking–how many use multipliers? I have two older orvis multipliers, and I know Valentine makes a multiplier. i think they are great–why haven’t they caught on? Much faster pick up than a large arbor. what do you think?
There are pros and cons Dave. In your particular case, if you got into a tugging contest with a big striper, guess who would have the mechanical advantage?
I have not tried one out yet but I just came accrosed this one.
https://secure.legend.co.uk/yga/acatalo … _REEL.html
-ST
Tom, you are right on the money with the battenkill, but I think it is the drag (or more accurately, lack of drag) than the multiplier. But do you think more moving parts means more potential trouble?
I have 2 gear driven reels a Shakespear speed X and an old 1495 with a (I think Crow conversion) the only thing that was ever a problem for me was the line geting under the handle and it adds some weight.
Rich
Dave - If the reel is well made, I don’t think reliability would be a big issue. My point is that in return for the high speed line pick up, you have traded away ease of turning the handle, especially under tension. In effect, you have given the fish the long end of the lever to use against you. That is the case no matter how smooth the reel operates.
I am not against multipliers, In fact I own a couple of them and like them. In a big fish situation, however, I would prefer the large arbor single action.
I believe that if you catch a record size fish on a fly rod it won’t count if caught on a multipier reel.
Tom
Well, both Toms present a good argument against the multipler. Tom S.–does a large arbor give you the same disadvantage against a large fish?
I was in the Mt. Fuji area of Japan recently and found dozens of intricate small multiplier fly reels for sale in local fishing shops. They were all of brands completely unknown to me, exquisitely machined, painted and anodized. I only saw a few direct-drive reels - those were of the brands I was familiar with, but they certainly weren’t inj the mainstream.
Apparently Mt. Fuji has trout streams and a dedicated flyfishing community, even though they seem to do it with rather different gear. Does anybody have more experience with flyfishing inthis area?
Dave - In general, the large arbor reel is set up to operate on a 1:1 ratio of hand movement to line retreival. Of course, it’s more complicated than that, depending on the position of the handle on the spool, how much line you have out, etc.
My own experience, using a large arbor reel for salt water fish on a two hand rod suggests that there is no disadvantage, in fact I think I get more pressure on the fish than with a smaller reel.
I am probably the biggest lover of multiplyers on this site. I don’t catch no bait fish (20" & under). My fish of choice are salmon and steelhead. If they run towards you, you need about two feet per wind to catch up. I’ll take all the advantage I can get. I actually EAT fish.
Here are some of the multipliers on the market:
Martin 72: 3:1 retrieve and a fine reel EXCEPT: the gears are open to the elements and you must be VERY careful not to get sand in the gears. It isn’t strong enough for bonefish, etc, but does well on steelhead and salmon. $40-45. Mine has caught a lot of steelhead
Valentine: 1.5:1 This is not much ration for fast retrieve but it is a for real flats reel and is good for big fish. I think the price is about $400 but please double check.
Hardy: 1.7:1 Very high quality and light. It is not a flats reel and is on the lower part of adequate for quick retrieve but steelhead beware. The old ones are hideously expensive but some made 3 years ago are about $2500.
Peux: I forget the ratio but it looks like a strong reel and runs in the $400 range.
Albright: It is new and I have not seen one. It is a 2.1:1 so the ratio is pretty good. I don’t know the price yet. Sounds promising.
These are the only ones I know are available at the present time, although it is rumored that Abel is working on one.
[This message has been edited by Pete Hiatt (edited 22 September 2005).]
D. Micus-
“But do you think more moving parts means more potential trouble?”
My casting reel has a 6.3:1 ratio and lots of moving parts inside. Haven’t ever had a problem with it. It’s just like anything else- start off with quality gear and keep it clean and maintained and you should have something that will last for years.
Thanks for that post Mr. Pete…I wanted a multiplier reel when I first heard about such a thing last year, heard they were illegal in tournaments. I don’t do tournaments, so looked a little bit but found none. Figured they had gone by the wayswide. I for one much appreciate the info. As far as cheating goes…I don’t buy that. If that were the case please go back to the cane pole and never try anything better, cause it would be cheating. Sell your boat, get rid of your net, trash your expensive rod, vest, waders…blah blah blah…What about making a fake salmon egg, San Juan worm…etc. I will not fish with any of those that a fish might take deeper, and therefore harm the fish. Flies only for me.
Just my opinion, only one I am an expert on. That’s the good thing about this board. You don’t get cremated for stating an opinion. Stating a falsehood yeah, but not for thinking.
Thanks again for the post Dave and for the info Pete. I’m printing it.
Gem
[This message has been edited by Plain Old Jim (edited 22 September 2005).]
RW here,
I’m with JC on this one. Keep adjusting the fly tackle to give us more advantage and pretty soon we’ll all be fishing like the bass pros. We’re already using bobbers, jigs and lures. Now multipliers!? Why don’t we just handline em in…that works! So does dynamite. Sheesh!!
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
[This message has been edited by Royal Wulff (edited 23 September 2005).]
I’m thinking about going back to gut leaders; that new fangled nylon and fluorocarbon stuff just ain’t fair 
.
And I better trash those large arbor reels I have too. I figure they take up more line with one turn of the handle than my old regular arbor reels do; sort of like a multiplier.
[This message has been edited by Bamboozle (edited 23 September 2005).]
So Pete. How can you sleep at night knowing that everytime you use a multiplier you are cheating?
Back in the 80’s Dave Whitlock made a video on fly fishing for largemouth bass. He recommended a multiplier for it’s ability to pick up line quickly. Never thought of him as cheating though. Hmmm! I may have to burn that video.
AND Sir Trout…thanks for the web site.
I am going to order that multiplier reel as soon as I can…(I wonder what it will cost me in American dollars)
Per Tom Smithwick’s second post, right under JC’s…uh…hmmmm…sounds like with a multiplier you are giving the FISH the advantage?
Gem
Hmmm, How do people feel about anti-reverse reels, are they not sporting enough for tournaments and whatnot? I never considered a multiplier a big deal ‘ethics wise’, but now that you mention it, what about not having the handle slamming your knuckles if you aren’t quick enough to get 'em outa the way…
I doubt that there has ever been a mechanical object made that I could not be snookered into buying, so, of course, I have tried an anti reverse reel. Maybe they are OK on a boat, but I did not care for them for shore fishing. Basically, I found it impossible to set the drag loose enough so that the fish could run smoothly, but tight enough that I could agressively regain line when the run stopped. Invariably, if I adjusted the drag tighter, the fish would get a second wind, and the drag would be too tight. No thanks, I’d rather get my knuckles rapped once in a while.
Good points on both counts. I never tried one, but they seemed like a good idea. I wondered why there weren’t more of them around, now I have a better idea why. I’m packing for a week of vacation on Cape Cod, I was thinking of keeping it simple with regards to fly tackle and tying supplies. Maybe I won’t feel too undergunned with my single rod and reel(single action), box of flies, and a couple of bucktails and bag of hooks… In the words of Thoreau, “Simplify, simplify…” Thanks, Jim
“Knowledge is knowing, wisdom is understanding”