The one reel that I would want is the one that is singing!
Lee
Better Loops and Singing Reels
Ross. Weight is not a big issue for me, so I like the Rhythm. Basically the same reel as the Evolution, but not drilled out as much. Great reel for the price.
Excellent guys! (and great gals) Remember this is a “dream” - no holds barred reel. There are some there I’d never heard of.
Migs
From 1968 to 1978 I used a Pfleuger 1494 exclusively. I had 3 or 4 extra spools with different lines on them. Then in 1978 Hardy brought back the “Perfect,” so I got a 3&3/8" model for $40.00 and 6 extra spools at $12.00 each. I’ve been using it with the various spools ever since for virtually all of my fishing and it looks it, but it never failed me.
If I go down to a 3 weight, I have a Winston “Perfect” reel with 2 extra spools that I use on a Winston rod and a Cabela’s rod. The rest of my reels are collectors which have seen very little use.
Hey there Migs;
As far as JC and LF NOT postiing an opinion here, I think it’s fairly obvious. This IS a sponsor supported BB and they would be hard pressed to choose a “best” of anything here. In fact they OWE it to the sponsors to actually support their products here. It’s not necessary to “gush” over them but it would be unethical (unwise) of them to choose one over the other. There is a time for honest opinion and there is a time to keep those behind your teeth. Well, that’s MY opinion .Maybe I should have kept IT beh… etc.
Mark
I’d rather be in Wyoming!
Hi Marco:
I know about JC and the Lady, I was just teasing them. Its interesting how we all have different ideas of the “ideal” reel. For me there has always been an “esthetic” part to all equipment, and both reels and rods have many fine examples to show this. Of course we can all fish with only the essentials, and of course there are factors more conducive to catching fish than the cosmetic of a reel. Still, I think most of us enjoy a finely crafted instrument, and it adds to the overall experience.
Plus, dreaming and browsing are free…
Migs
My Informal tally of the results (because many put a few choices):
Abel 10
Ross 7
Tioga 5
Charlton 4
Bogdan, Pfleuger 3
Galvan, Bogdan, Orvis CFO, Bauer 2
Billy Pate, Seamaster, Haydens, LAW, St. Croix, Gilmore, Merlin, Winston 1
Migs
And if I won the lottery, I’d hire someone to do my flyfishing for me. Ooohh it’s sooo tiring. James, more tea please and wave that palm frond faster. There will be six for dinner this evening. Chill the Beluga. Pinot I should think will be fine. Sigh!!!
Oh well, back to my hot dog and fries and my Pflueger Medalist 1494DA and Eagle Claw 5/6wt.
Mark
I’d rather be in Wyoming!
I am surprised that the sage reels have not been mentioned. I have the 3400D and 3500D. They are very well made, have a drag designed by Jack Charlton and carry the sage unconditional life time warranty. The perfect dream reel. They are not cheap, but are less than many other high end reels.
Marco, …
I’d hire someone to do my flyfishing for me
LoL !! 
Christopher Chin, Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:21d71]http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/[/url:21d71]
I was surprised to not see Sage reels mentioned too. But then if this discussion were about fly rods…
Migs
I’m going to have to go with a Galvan Torque and the Lamson Velocity.
[This message has been edited by uwyo06 (edited 07 August 2005).]
Hey there uwyo 06;
If I were to take your example for a screen name, I’d be uwyo 65. Which fly shop do you work at. I’ve spent a small fortune at the West Laramie Fly Shop and still have their bumper stickers on my work vehicles.
I’ll be by there around October 5th to try to pull out a few browns from the Little Laramie at the public access " school section" just outside town toward Centennial.
Just under the abandoned railroad trestle is where “he” lurks.
Mark
I’d rather be in Wyoming!
I think that galvan makes the best reel out there considering the price. The OB series has the same drag as the more expensive ones and it is better built. Abel is my number one choice for saltwater, salmon and steelhead. I also use them for trout but I mostly use the same galvan that I’ve had for four or five years, it’s great.
I think Ross reels are junk. They feel cheap and the drag setting has a mind of it’s own. They used to make decent reels, and their quality has really gone down hill. Bauer is also one that I would not even consider owning.
Someone mentioned the Teton and that’s a damn good reel for the money too.
1.Galvan
2.Abel
3.Albright, I recently got some of these for clients to use and I’m particularly impressed with the one that retails for $45.oo. It’s got a nice drag and has others in the same price range beat by a long shot. No word on durability as I have only had it a few weeks.
Yo-Did anyone mention the Ari Hart Reels? Wow. These are the best FW reels I know of (own). Smooth drags, precision built-modern materials. SW-Well, Haydens I’ve got a few and like them. Had a Tibor-but Neptune got it from me…
Lee-gotta get one of them singing reels 
Rich
I think many are down on the Sage reels because the company shipped them overseas to be produced. They’re still very expensive, yet they’re made in the far East and imported.
I considered one before buying my last Tibor, but the Sage reels simply aren’t in the same class as Tibor or Abel. They seemed light and flimsy to me.
I’m sure they’re fine reels, but they warrant a price tag of maybe $300, not the $500+ that Sage wants for them.
Fred
Galvan, Galvan, Galvan. Great trout reels and the new Torque series has an even better drag than the OB series reels.
For the ultimate reel with no budget restrictions there are far better reels than Galvan. My beef with them IS their beef. They have some heft to them when compared to others, that is what has kept me away from them (I even went to a shop specifically to buy a Torgue, until I hefted it!), same goes for Abel.
[This message has been edited by Jackster (edited 08 August 2005).]
Hmmmm Tibor, they look just like chocolate tastes. droooool
JME
@===----?----?----?
Member of B.A.S.S [url=http://www.ukbass.com:9480d]http://www.ukbass.com[/url:9480d]