so, i just finished building my 2 wt rod. i have an orvis battenkill 3/4. can i use this reel on my 2 wt rod without it being “over weighted” or highly unbalanced? is there that much difference between a 3/4 wt reel and a 2/3 wt reel?
Everyone dies. Only the lucky ever truly Live. Take your time.
Chris-Bishop, CA, USA
I think you would be OK using the 3/4 B’Kill on a 2 wt rod.
The 3/4 is the smallest B’kill. When Orvis offered those reels on combo’s the 3/4 was included on 2 wt and smaller rods. If your reel is a click/pawl those reels are somewhat lighter than the disc models.
The difference between the actual weight of 2 and 3 wt line in minimal, just 20 grains in the first 30’ plus what ever backing would be required to fill the spool.
lenght of the rod will play a role in balance if it is a 6’er might be a little heavy 7-8’ should be just fine.
Rich
Going one weight up or down usually won’t matter as long as you don’t have an exceptionally light or heavy rod or reel.
The bottom line though is whether or not it feels right to you and if you can still get the presentation you want.
I baught my first 2 wt(Orvis) from Barry Beck when he had his shop in PA, and he actually recommended the Battenkill 5/6. Which I thought was perfect
My first build, a 9 foot 3 wgt. seemed a little top heavy but when I opted for a 4-5 wgt Okuma it came out just fine.
I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!
Cactus AKA “Lucky Dog (Pirate Name)”
That’s the reel I just got for my 2#. (Cary gave it to me for building his 2#!) It seems quite fine.
Trouts don’t live in ugly places
Try it! If it works for you, then use it.
Daniel
i took it out, and it was lovely. the rod is 6’6" and at first, the b’kill(its a disc), seemed a little heavy, but after a couple casts, it settled nicely into my hand.
oh yea, we managed a coupla nice little 12" browns, too. couldnt have asked for more than that 
.
hard to beat catching a fish on a fly you tied with a rod you built…
Everyone dies. Only the lucky ever truly Live. Take your time.
Chris-Bishop, CA, USA
Incedentally, which 2-wt?
I have a 2wt 6-6 rainshadow on order.
Hi Tyflier,
I told ya about the little Crystal
River Cahill reels a while back at about
$18 a pop. The .0001 model on the 2 wt
I built on a Dorber blank is shown here.
It’s 2 1/2 inches in diameter, weighs
2.7 ounces, and has a smooth drag. Yeah,
it has graphite gears, but it certainly
contributes favorably to a true ultralight
feel. I have several on 2 and 3 wt rods
and they have never failed to turn one of
these “gills on steroids”.G Warm regards,
Jim
taoski,
There’s been a rush on 6’6’,2#'s!
Tyflier built one, Jack built one, I built two, and Zimrx is thinking about it. They make up really nice, and feel super in hand. Will get to test mine out next week in Bennett Springs (a State park in the Missouri ozarks), before heading to the Black Hills in three weeks.
Trouts don’t live in ugly places
its the 6’6" forecast blank. i believe rainshadow makes it. i got the kit from hook and hackle. betty nailed it. the rod feels superb in hand. heres a pic:
heres a coupla links to some more:
[url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/tyflier/rod1.jpg:da6e0]two pieces side-by-side[/url:da6e0]
[url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/tyflier/2005-08-10034.jpg:da6e0]base wrap and handle detail[/url:da6e0]
jim hatch–yes, i looked at the reels you mentioned, and will most likely pick one up. i simply dont have any extra money right now, considering im still out of work on disability.
Everyone dies. Only the lucky ever truly Live. Take your time.
Chris-Bishop, CA, USA
