On the last cast of the evening I hooked this crappie.
Bill
Bill,
Nice crappie and picture!
Tom
You have better self control than I do. I would have made a few more casts.
Rick
I would have been there at least another half hour.
No way would that have been my last cast!
What is the reel that is on the rod in the picture please?
That is one nice looking crappie…
Well, I hope that’s the last time you have to say that! At least as far as crappie are concerned. Nice fish, but I bet he had company! 
the reel I use is the Franco Vivarelli semiautomatic fly reel. It is made of carbon fiber and can hold up to 7wf fly line. This type of reel is popular in Europe with competitive fly fishers. It allows the user to hold a rod with one hand and the net in the other. There is no spring inside of a semiautomatic fly reel, therefore, this type of reel is lighter. The semiautomatic fly reel holds more backing too. The design of these reels allow for the spools to be interchanged when necessary. fly line is retrieved by squeezing the handle.
Franco Vivarelli makes several semiautomatic fly reels. The reel pictured is for trout and panfish. Their Newstar line includes a reel suitable for saltwater fly fishing, that reel will take up to a 9 WF line. I’ve taken carp, stripers and northern pike with this model. all Franco Vivarelli reels come with a lifetime warranty and an adjustable drag.
Bill
In the picture it looks like you have left the plastic on the cork handle. Is this something you always do? If, so, why? Just curious…
Nice crappie and like the others, I would not have made that my last cast!
yes i don’t bother to remove the plastic from the handle. I believe that i’m protecting the cork from early soiling; however, it eventually falls off.
Bill
The first three were all taken after 9:30pm until 11:00pm. the one on the bottom was taken at 9:00pm on a different night.
Bill
A few more and you’ll have a meal! nice work! must be a blast on the ole glass rods!
The white BH buggers work on those crappie down south in Tennnessee too!
aa
Warren, I’ve done that too. As soon as it gets wet under the plastic, I remove it to keep it from growing fungus. Which reminds me, it’s time to clean out my refrigerator again…
Ed