Hey everyone. Just joined the forum a few days ago and thought I would introduce myself. I’m Joe and I have been getting back into fly fishing for the past several years. I live in Middle Tennessee and typically fish in the smaller streams and creeks here. I’ve been fly-fishing with a 4 wt. St.Croix rod and a Pflueger automatic reel and decided to go the conventional route this year with the typical reel and learn a little more about fly fishing, which is why I’m here. If anyone has a good suggestion for a good reel that won’t cost much (I’m a broke college student) that would be great.
joerogrz,
You will be getting an answer to your question, soon!
Welcome to the BB!
Doug
broke college student? sounds pretty familiar to me 
as well as getting back into fly fishing this year. Enjoy the season.
WELCOME, Joe, to FAOL!
I, truly hope, that you enjoy yourself here. There’s a ton of not only great information, but an equal amount of fine fly fishermen giving their own, ideas and opinions,on about anything you can think to ask about!
Just like your question “An idea, on an inexpensive fly reel”… I’m VERY surprised, that you don’t already have a few hundred "ideas and opinions already listed here!!! (MAYBE, every one’s asleep?!).
Anyhow, I’m sure you’ll get many answers to your question, soon enough.
I could, suggest a few reels, for you to consider but first might ask, "What is YOUR personal average of “inexpensive”, dollar and cents wise?
If it’s “college student poverty level”, like it was for ME, when I was in college, then I’d suggest looking at the Pflueger line of conventional style reels, or, the Okuma line of reels, perhaps. And, there’s sure nothing wrong with the good old “Medalist” model of Pflueger reels either!
Obviously, fishing a 4wt. on small streams, you’re not going to be needing a “Tarpon quality drag” on a reel!?!
Whatever may be suggested, just keep in mind that “every thing is a personal OPINION”,from each person chosen by either experience, and/or, personal likes and dislikes and nothing more than that.
Anyway, again, WELCOME!!
Welcome Joe…
Tons of great information here…all you’ve ever wanted to know. Enjoy FAOL…now for the second opinion on reels …Orvis Clearwater II …$39.00…the II should suffice since it’s only being used for storage. Check the Orvis site. Enjoy.
Ken
I have all kinds of reels for you to choose from. Give me an email and I will let you know what I have and what price.
Howdy yourself neighbor, well all most. Welcome aboard! I’m sure you’ll find what you want here.
Welcome.
Cabelas Prestige reels. Low cost, great function.
Joe -
Welcome and greetings from Idaho.
Looks like you are getting some good answers so I don’t have much to say in regard to your original question.
Hope you get some enjoyable time on the water when you get set up with your new rig. Keep in mind that we all enjoy photos of others’ fishing spots and catches - if you have an appropriate camera and are set up to post photos on the BB.
John
Hey Joe - what waters do you fish? Are you close to the Smoky Mtn. Nat’l. Park? Take a look at Orvis’ Battenkill Bar Stock - $98 for thr 3-5 wt. reel. It has a very nice drag.
Hi joerogrz!
Welcome from British Columbia.
About all you need with the 4wt reel is something to store the line on. You can easily palm the reel as a good method of applying drag.
Check out the sponsor page several of them have good starter reels.
You can cheap it out on the reel with no problems but make sure you get a quality fly line.
Hey there Joe! I have Pflueger Medalists on two rods, a 7wt and a 5wt, and I like them pretty well. If you’ve been using the Pflueger Auto, you may want to try one. The 5wt. has a newer model with a rim control, I like it much better. Medalists can be had for under $40 real easy…Happy Fishin…ModocDan
Thanks for all the suggestions. I didn’t expect so many replies this quickly. I’m already loving it here.
To answer a couple of replies…
-I’m not close to the Smoky Mountains at all, though I may be before too much longer.
-I have been considering a Pflueger Medalist reel, but was unsure what exactly I needed on it until I read the replies. I guess I won’t need much of a drag… I usually just get panfish and a few small bass here and there.
-As for being set up for pictures to post here. I am and hopefully I’ll have some before too much longer.
I’m actually considering a new outfit all together because my 7’6" 2 piece St. Croix is now a 7’ 3" one piece due to trial and error repair. It’s getting old anyway and doesn’t perform quite like it did before. I’ll probably go with another St. Croix rod, except it may be a 5 wt. after some of the stuff I’ve read here.
Thanks for all the suggestions and the friendliness!!
Glue your old tip-top on the Croix, and go up a line size or two, and it will work fine for Bassin’, or larger trout. Don’t chuck it.
Joerogrz;
I liked your well worn excuse for “justification of getting a new rod”!! “Getting kinda old” is one we’ve all used time and again, along with “The one I have, is too light/too heavy, for the type fishing I want to try next”.
Personally, speaking, of course I like to use the excuses of “The cork’s kinda dirty” and “The rod I’ve been, using, got too warm fighting big fish and I’m afraid I’ve taken the temper out of the graphite!”
Regardless, as you’ll learn, hopefully before too long, is that there IS NO “needed excuse” to need/want/desire/crave, or, cry over not having… yet another fly rod in your arsenal of attack weaponry.
As you find your way through the entire FAOL website and perhaps find your way into the very deep depths of “The Archives”, (a GREAT section, to kill an entire day!), you may run across the skeletal remains of a former member.
I’m not accusing anyone, or pointing any fingers of course but it’s generally understood that the remains in question, belong to a chap that accused a couple of members, some time ago, of; “Being greedy and owning too many fly rods, lines, reels, etc.”
Welcome aboard! Glad you decided to join in. 
Flybinder you’re right… I do just want another rod… As a matter of fact, I’m using the whole “I wanna try the conventional way” excuse just to get a new outfit entirely…
Before too long, I’ll be going after bigger fish and will “need” another outfit for that. It’s madness and probably won’t stop anytime soon.
Admitting that you have a problem.
Now, be careful, here, Joe.
As I understand the concept of the program, by the time you get through all of the steps, you are “cured”, or at least “cleansed” of your addiction.
You just got here.
We aren’t ready to lose you from this great pastime we share.
Understand, WE are now your enablers.
Stay away from those other 11 steps. Their dangerous and hazardous to your health and wellbeing.
Now, just to keep this from being a Hijack, (Hi, Jack!) and a post padding exercise, (unlike more than a few I could name from this site)
I have the Orvis Clearwater Classic II on a 2 wt that I fish all the time.
Unlike most of the stuff from the Big O, It’s an inexpensive little reel. Seems like it was about $40. It’s a light weight, polymer reel, with a fair capacity. And I don’t have to take any special care of it. I just wipe it down once in a while and re-grease it.
If I remember right, the CCII will hold up to 5wt line with about 50 ft of backing.
Good luck in your quest, and remember, “We’re here for ya”
Kirk
joe,
i have a couple brand new pflueger medelist reels perfect for your 4 weight. send me a pm with your address and ill send you one no charge…just keep your nose in the books. (except on warm sunny days!)