What inexpensive but reliable reel and moderately priced line would you recommend for a TFO 6ft #2 rod? Think spring - fall trout in small streams and maybe some bluegill wrestling. I won’t be using that line in icy conditions or the tropics.
Thanks for any wisdom.
Most of my reels have been discontinued. Although some of them are recommendable I refuse to do so cuz of just that.
I have heard/read rave reviews on the Hook and Hackle house brand…good price too.
“The only thing worse than getting old is not getting old”
I picked up an Orvis Battenkill Bar Stock for my new 3wt. I accompanied it with a nice new Cortland “Classic” peach line in a DT3F. The line is awesome, a true classic, nice and supple, virtually no memeory, and the reel is a definite keeper too. Orvis had free lines with the purchase of any reel going on for a while. It may be over, but it’s worth a look at their site to find out. Have fun
Diane,
Take a look at the Argus reels at Global dorbeR. They are inexpensive disc drag reels that work well. They are a little heavier than the more expensive reels but other than that they are nice reels for the price. I can’t help you with inexpensive lines since I haven’t been happy with the ones that I’ve tried.
Steve
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went”-Will Rogers
Diane, what price range are you looking at?
Dianne,
I own a couple of the J. Austin Forbes Magnesium reels and I have been very happy with them. They are extremely light at 2.2oz and well made. The usual price for these reels is around $150 however, Overstock.com still has them for $75. For the line, I would suggest any moderately priced 2 wt line that is on sale.
Jim Smith
I do not know what “inexpensive” means to you in dollars, but, you may want to look at Cabela’s Prestige Plus reels and Prestige Plus fly lines. I think for about $70 you could get the reel and line. I own 2 of these reels and they are very smooth for the price and I have a couple of their lines and have no problems with them either. I also have Orvis, Sage and St Croix rods, reels and lines and have no problems with them.
Warren
Diane…
Take a look at the Pflueger Supreme 1834.
See: [url=http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/supreme-reel.html:2adf5]http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/supreme-reel.html[/url:2adf5]
MSRP is $49.95 but there is a new one on eBay right now going for $29.95.
See eBay item # 7231820708.
I realy like mine.
As for cheap lines, I believe that if you purchase a cheap line, you are throwing your money away.
Hey Diane,
Lots of folks will disagree with me
but here goes anyway. On my 3 wt and below
rods, I use the Crystal River Cahill Rimfly
model CR0001. The reel is graphite, 2 1/2
inches in diameter, and weighs 2.7 ounces.
I have a source that sells them for $18 and
I will provide it on request. I have also
seen them at various times listed on Amazon
dot com for $12. It holds a full line and
a bit of backing if desired. It also has
a smooth drag. However, IMHO, you really
will not be using the drag that often on a
2 weight. Makes a great light weight reel
for a smaller gill rod. I’ve currently
got 3 of them and have given several more
to friends. I like them.G
As for a line, I wouldn’t consider anything
other than the Cortland Lazer 444 series in
peach. It’s a personal favorite. With
what you save on the reel, the line is
pretty affordable.G Warm regards, Jim
Diane;
I put a Pflueger Medalist 1492 and a cortland WFF line on my 2 wt. I think the line cost more than the real. Got them at Cabela’s.
Don’t forget the Michigan Fish-In August 14th to the 20th. The Holy Water’s of the Au Sable await you!!
Cactus
Daine,
I’ll second the Crystal River RimFly.
Amazingly light little reel, and perfect compliment to a light 2 wt.
I have four or five of them, at <$20 retail I just buy new reels for different lines, and use them on all my small 2 & 3 wt. rods.
For this application, all the reel REALY does is store the line…but the disc drag on these works well (a ‘surprise’ 16 pound Pike put one of these and my 2 wt. through it’s paces last summer…) and you don’t have to listen to an annoying ‘clicker’ unless you want to (I HATE all that noise…).
As for a line, I’ve had good luck with Cabela’s ‘house brand’ lines, the ones that are about $29 each. I do like premium fly lines though, and find that is a place where it ‘saves’ you money to buy the best (kind of like hackle). Really depends how much you plan to use the line…
Good Luck!
Buddy
p.s; By the way, that ‘surprise’ Pike is why I don’t just put a cleat in the reel seat of that little 2 wt. and do without a reel altogether. Every once in a while…B.S.
I’m also going to recommend the Pflueger Medalist 1492. The only caveat is that the 1492 is not reversible. Unless you wind with your right hand, I’d look for something else. The Medalists are as reliable as they come and you can’t beat the price.
I have the Cabela’s prestige. It was 30 dollars marked down from 50. I really like it, it has a nice drag, a nice finish, and is smooth.
I haven’t tried one on a two weight but in general I recommend the Teton Tioga as a reliable and inexpensive reel.
Diane,I second the suggestion for the J.Austin Forbes magnesium bargain from Overstock. I’ve had one for a couple years and it’s great. For the line, go Cortland Peach. Can’t beat it.
Bill
Name indicates where I fish and for what I fish.
The best value going in a 2wt setup would be to pick up a Redington CT2/3 on eBay for about $50 and a Cortland 333 DT2F linefor about $30 at your local retailer. You will not find a better reel that the CT 2/3 for less than $150 elsewhere and the 333 lines are VERY GOOD value for the dollar.
Good Luck!
I have the Battenkill Large Arbor I for my two weight and I love that little guy. I also use the superfine WF2F by Orvis on it and it cast fantastic. But then again it could be the fact that it is a Sage LL “smiling”
she who dies with the most toy’s wins.