I’ve been a part time fly fisher for the last 12 years or so, and have gotten by with low end reels up to this point. I’m ready to pick up something a little better now, and my wife says to stop being so cheap on myself, but I’m not sure where to start. My problem is that there isn’t enough decent fly shops within a couple of hours of here to allow me to get my hands on many of them. I need some opinions on what to limit my choices down to. My criteria are: 1) $150 or less. 2) 4-6 line preferred (but 5-6 acceptable). 3) Right hand retrieve. 4) Good drag system 5) Extra spools are a huge plus for me. If I buy a better reel, I’ll surely want to use it for as much of my fishing as possible, right?
What are the best reels in that category? The reel will be used for bass, trout and occasionally bluegills.I’ve heard lots of good things here about the orvis barstock, but what about the Pflueger trion, Ross flywater or flycast, Loomis Venture, Echo, etc.? I could even stretch for a Lamson Radius if it is worth the extra.
Thanks in advance.
[This message has been edited by ol’ blue (edited 26 November 2005).]
For the most bang for the buck,my choices would be a Ross Cimarron,Teton Tioga,or an Orvis Barstock.Any of these can be converted to right hand retrieve,have excellent drags, and can be used in saltwater also.All these companys have top notch customer service and the reels will last for a very long time with minimal care.
OB,
I have 2 Teton Tiogas & an Orvis Battenkill Barstock & they are great reels…all mine were purchased for $100.00 or less & are available at that price range now. The other advantage is that the spare spools for these reels can be had for under $50.00.
Mike
Of the reels you mentioned “Pflueger trion, Ross flywater or flycast, Loomis Venture, Echo” I’d say that the Trion is the clear winner of the group - though I have very limited experience with the Echo. The Trion appears to be the same reel as the Orvis Battenkill mid-arbor (with different porting obviously)at a lower price but without the backing of the Orvis Company.
As the others have mentioned the Ross Cimerron, and Tioga are also good reels for the money. To get the best reel for your money check eBay.
Easy answer, in your price range and with the flexibility you want with extra spools, reversable to right hand, a nice drag & such. Orvis Battenkill!! With your $150 you should be able the get the reel and an extra spool.
ol’ blue,
I’m with Ray on this one. I have one of the Pflueger Trions, and they are great reels for the money. They are however, a bit heavy for me. I also have an Orvis Battenkill Disc. That reel has made me happy with it’s perfomance for three years. No regrets. And, now Orvis has knocked $20 off the price. You can get the reel for $79, and an extra spool for $30. That should leave you with enough extra $$$ to get a fly line. Let us know what you decide.
Life, is the time He gave you to determine where you want to spend eternity.
All the reels mentioned are good. I can speak for the Pflueger Trions a bit although I use the larger sizes. For the most bang for your buck you cant beat em! Good drag, decent spool capasity. Mine get used mostly in the salt and have had no problems.
[This message has been edited by Smernsky (edited 26 November 2005).]
I was in exactly your position a year ago. I opted for the Orvis Battenkill Barstock. I’m happy with it, but it will be years before I know if this was a good decision or not. In fact, it is a decision that will probably be best made by some future grandson long after I’m gone.
I fish almost exclusively for trout in streams. I have yet to meet one that put any reel I have owned to a real test of its drag or any other performance characteristic. So the true test of whether the extra bucks were worth it will be in the reel’s longevity, not it’s performance.
For the type of fishing I do, there are far better places to invest a few extra bucks than in a reel. But there is a certain warm feeling you get from knowing you have a reel that is a nice piece of equipment and that others will see on your rod and know it is not an El Cheapo.
I’m not trying to talk you out of making the purchase you plan; just reporting what I’ve found.
Thanks for all the input so far. I’ve gotten to this point by slowly upgrading all of my equipment item by item from entry level extremely inexpensive to good quality midrange gear. My reel is going to be one of the last items to be upgraded. I know that many will cringe to hear me call some of these reels midrange, but I’m not using this stuff for heavy duty or salt water. So I agree with you oldfrat. But I’m looking at using this reel for 95% of my fishing for the rest of my life. So I don’t mind spending a few more bucks than I normally feel comfortable with in order to buy a reel that will never be replaced. Seems like a bargain. Orvis currently has my attention due to some of the recommendations and the lifetime guarantee. The one thing I’m questioning on the Ross is that the lifetime guarantee is only on materials and workmanship. I’m not sure where the others fall yet, but I’ll do more research tomorrow. I guess I should add a lifetime unconditional guarantee as another criteria.
I really liked the Battenkill Barstock, but, and this is nit-picky, I was disappointed with the clicker of all things. The plastic clicker was a disappointment. Nice reel, however. Very nice reel. I replaced it was a Ross Rhythm, and wow, what a difference! I am completely sold on Ross. Initial line-take (or whatever it’s called) is almost nothing. It holds much more backing than the BBS. It’s a large arbor. The drag could stop a truck. I really feel that the Ross will last a couple (or more) lifetimes.
I have the Loomis Venture. It’s good. I dont’ see it in the pretty “champagne” color anymore. Maybe just on my side of the store.
It has worked for everything just fine. I beat it against the sandstone of NorAZ all the time and the color really hasn’t come off yet.
Drag is great and it’s a really really big disk so ya can do it with gloves when it gets cold.
And since China is my second favorite country it’s cool like that too.
There is a fine line between fly fishing and standing in a river waving a stick, and YOU SIR have crossed that line!
Another reel you might want to consider if you want a classic is a Hardy Lightweight Princess.These are no longer produced but come up on Ebay now and then.I have a Princess and an LRH for 20+ years and they are great reels.A Hardy Marquis is also a good option for a classic.
Just went through this dilemma myself recently.Checked out many reels to go on a new 5 wt rod. I bought the Pflueger Trion,and couldn’t be any happier .Didn’t like the drag on the Loomis… little to low profile for my big hands.And for the money difference was the final decision.$75.00 new in the box verses $139.00 for the Orvis I also picked up a Lamson Radius for $80.00 to go on my 3 wt .Nice little reel… now coming this spring I will be on the hunt for a reel to go on a new 1 wt.
[This message has been edited by ny angler (edited 27 November 2005).]
Well, after doing all of the research, I’ve only changed my mind about a dozen times. Right now, I’m down to 3 or 4 primary contenders. I’m considering the Orvis Battenkill disc, the Orvis Battenkill mid-arbor, Pflueger Trion, and the Teton Tioga. I’m willing to give up the lifetime warranty if the price difference is significant, thus the Trion is still in the race even with the battenkill mid-arbor’s lifetime warranty. I think I’ll hit the net real hard in the next few days, and then get my final numbers and final decision. Thanks to everyone who put in their opinions here. I’ll let you know what my final answer is. (But there is still time for some last minute input! )
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