I was fortunate enough to win a Bamboo rod at one of our club meetings.
It was left to my club by a long time member who had passed away and wanted the club to have it to raise funds and somebody to continue to fish with it.
Well I had every intention to do just that today but I have a small problem.
Every one of my reels is too big. The base (shoe?) can only be 2 1/2 inches , even my little reel for my 2 weight won’t fit.
Anyone know of a reel that might fit?
I’ve never had need for one in the past, but it seems as if I’ve heard stories before of people being able to call some of the reel manufacturers and get a smaller reel foot for their existing reels. Might give that a try?
Try a Cortland Retro 1
I have 2 on small glass rods and they are the only reels I have that fit.
Would recommend asking here: http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/. Good place to hunt for an old reel if that becomes the best option.
Dremel rotary tool. Cut and dress the reel foot to needed size.
I was going to go with jims… suggestion on modifying the foot. If you’re pretty sure you’re going to keep the rod and reel together for some time then it should be no problem. Only problem if you want to sell reel later you have the modded foot.
Before I would modify a reel foot, I would cast the rod to see if you even like it. Many old bamboo rods were really not great casting tools.
So take several reels with the some fly lines that might be the right weight and try the lines. There is no need to actually put the reel on the rod. You can put the reel on the grass and string up the rod and cast with the line. Or you can tape the reel to the rod with masking tape.
When and if you find the reel and line that matches the rod, you can modify the reel foot.
Hi Gmac,
I agree with Silver Creek that it would be best not to alter your reels until you try another search or two. If you have a Orvis shop nearby, take your rod over and try the Battenkill reels in whatever size is compatible with your boo. That way you will be able to test for fit and cast with a selection of their reels. I think the regular sports and fly shops that carry the various Cortland series might also accommodate you. I have an older Teton Tioga that seems quite small to me and that might be another alternative to check. Good luck in your search.
Gerri
a medalist with the small onepfoot modification
The Orvis Battenkill is a little larger than the Cortland Retro. I have them both. Another slim foot is the LLBean Pocket Water. But I believe the retro is the smallest of all of them?
So as a follow up, no luck looking for a Cortland Retro in my area (no one carries Cortland reels).
I went with jimsnarocks suggestion after I attached one of my reels onto the rod with elastic bands.(Silver Creek’s suggestion to try it first)
The 3 wt seems to be the line of choice.
Bass pro has a small reel (3/4) for $34 and with a little work with the Dremel tool it fits like a charm.
This whole exercise could be the top of a slippery slope because I really really like it.
Geoff
Geoff
Are you going to bring it to Michigan to the Fish In?
Brad
Brad I have been trying to get it put together for just that reason.
Cortland no longer makes the Retro (or any reels, for that matter). Due to a change in management, the company no longer offers anything but line products. Fortunately there seem to currently be quite a few Retros available on line, both new and used. I recently bought two (a I and a II) for considerably less than the original list price. By the way, the Retro is a very attractive, lightweight reel with classic good looks.