Ok,
I am going to be ordering a boo rod this month and it is going to take maybe six months to get it. Well, I want to go the distance I want a excellent reel and line to go with the rod. This is a loaded question and I know opinions but would really like some. Oh and budget well since I have six months to work overtime for now money is not an issue so let me have it… :shock:
wireguy
If you can find one the Ross San Miguel is a fine reel. They have been discontinued for a couple of years but really nicely made with classic looks that go well with cane.
If you want a classic reel, buy a Hardy Lightweight series reel. Buy a LRH (3 1/8 inch), or a Featherweight (2 7/8 inches). Best of the click pawl drag reels. You can buy one new for about $400, or find a used one on Ebay in the $200-$300 range. If you want a disc drag, newer reel, I would buy a Hardy Sirrus (gorgeous reel).
Dear wireguy,
What length and line weight rod are you buying?
Knowing that would make it easier to make a suggestion.
Best Wishes,
Avalon 
Simple, there is only 1 answer if money is not an issue, get the best. Get a Bogdan.
I’m really of two minds when it comes to reels for bamboo. Peerless makes some really nice looking little reels, but they are not really ideal fishing tools. I love the way they look on the rod, and I like the style of the reel, but you need a screwdriver to get the spool off - which is a huge pain if your leader gets caught in there. For that reason, I only really fish one of my peerlesses.
As a practical fisherman, I liked the old abel TR clickers that I don’t think are made any more. Great reel, and pretty inexpensive. Someone else mentioned Hardy, and while I don’t have the reel mentioned, I do have a featherweight, which is in the same line. It’s a great little reel. Also, if I were you, I wouldn’t pay too much attention to reel weight - I kind of like a heavier reel on my bamboo. There is kind of a fad nowadays to ‘balance’ a rod with the reel. I don’t really buy into it.
In any case, congrats on the new rod, and I hope you find a good reel to go with it.
Another vote for Hardy. You can see all of the “classic series” on my website and you can find them at just about any shop that has an interest in cane. I’ve fished most all of the “modern classics” and I keep coming back to Hardy. The Lightweight series has barely changed in half a century and even though it’s the cheapest of their offerings, it doesn’t look out of place on any fine cane rod. Remember, you don’t need an expensive reel, just a traditional one. A $10,000 gold anodized, titanium, large arbor techno wonder would be a horrific sight on a bamboo rod! Have fun shopping.
Bill O.
Check out Elkhorn’s classic. Its about $330 (A sponsor) has a nice reel. Their classic model. Check it out.
http://www.elkhornflyrods.com/reels/classic.cfm
jed
Bamboo is heavier than graphite. You don’t want a modern lightweight reel. It won’t balance out right.
Get an old classic C&P reel to do it right. To me, nothing looks more goofy than a modern large arbor reel on a bamboo rod. IMHO
Sorry Gramps, not all are noticably heavier. Depends on the boo. I know you said you like the heavier tip, I don’t. I like my transition from glass to Graphite to Bamboo to be a smooth, no brainer.
I really like the looks of the ElkHorn classic. I recently found another company that builds Vom Hofe replicas for dirt cheap and they are cool looking.
They will have a I for 4/5 line and a II for 6/7 and the III is already out. I ordered one of the I’s for my 7’ 4wt and I can’t wait to see it.
I use a CFO on mine right now and the old man uses a Hardy LRH on his. Both very light weight and balances out perfect.
Considering outfit balance is TOTALLY subjective; a lot of times it just comes down to looks.
Lots of guys will swear that a Medalist is the right look while others, (like me) lean toward Bill O’s choice, Hardy.
I assume you’re not a nut like me who still fishes 6-7-8 weight bamboo rods so I assume that it will be a 3-4-5 weight rod which can also mean a clicker drag will suffice.
The last 3 reels I bought were Hardy’s. One of them has already appreciated $200 since I got it a few years back so they are a good investment. Check out the new Bougle Mk V or is it VI? Sweet looks, Hardy quality, warranty and guaranteed to cost more than its close to $500 pricepoint in a few years when they discontinue it in favor of the…
…Mk VII.
You might also find a few of the older Bougle reels on closeout since the new Bougle came out. If you can do the RHW thing; there is the venerable St. George or Perfect which pop up on eBay all the time. I still think a older “classic” Hardy, possibly with some use looks like it belongs on the end of a cane rod. I still have the telephone latch Uniqua I fished on a Leonard 38H for a zillion years!
After that I might look at Bellinger but somehow when I think of bamboo I think of Hardy.
Sorry Gramps, not all are noticably heavier. Depends on the boo. I know you said you like the heavier tip, I don’t. I like my transition from glass to Graphite to Bamboo to be a smooth, no brainer.
I really like the looks of the ElkHorn classic. I recently found another company that builds Vom Hofe replicas for dirt cheap and they are cool looking.
They will have a I for 4/5 line and a II for 6/7 and the III is already out. I ordered one of the I’s for my 7’ 4wt and I can’t wait to see it.
I use a CFO on mine right now and the old man uses a Hardy LRH on his. Both very light weight and balances out perfect.[/quote]
We already talked about this. I said the rod was heavier, not the tip. My last graphite was 2 1/4 oz. the bamboo is 4 oz. Still not heavy, but heavy for graphite standards. I know a lot of bamboo owners have to add weight to a CFO reel to balance it.
I did say IMHO in my post.
I’m an old traditional guy with strong opinions.
Gramps, I am confused on that one. Do you consider a CFO to be a heavy reel? My three bamboo’s are under 4 oz.
I think that the Hardy and the CFO are perfect.
I don’t really notice a ONE ounce difference in my graphite to my boo, cause that is what we’re talking.
I have a small scale I use to weigh my Czech nymphs that is very accurate.
Weighed several reels with backing and floating line
the newer CFO III 4.85 oz.
Sring/Pawl CFO 1,2,3 4.49 oz
Lamson Lite Speed 1.5 5.36 oz
Hardy LHR 5.23 oz.
Just a little messing around info 8)
No, I consider the CFO C&P to be light. That’s why they add weight to it.
The C&P I had weighed under 4 0z. The Young reel weighs over 6 oz to balance the bamboo.
Maybe i’m too fussy. :?
Man this is really good imput…The rod I am thinking of getting made is a 7-8ft 4 or five wt, quad. Made by Bill T
First, you’ll love your Bill Taylor rod. I have a few, with another in the works. Great performers and excellent cosmetics.
Second, don’t skimp on the reel. Bogdan the very best, I think, but nearly impossible to justify the price of the trout-size clicker reels, considering the availability of Godfreys.
I have both & both are superb; but the Godfrey Classic or Westminster styles are 1/2 - 1/3 the price of the Bogdans, and have the advantage of a one-screw takedown. This means you can easily get into the reel to clean out debris & lube it. Not only that, the takedown screw is concealed by a finger-tightened screw-on cap…so, if you bugger-up the takedown screw, the cap screw conceals your ineptitude. See tedgodfreys.com.
Peerless reels also readily available, and are excellent. Drags especially smooth, at least on the ones I’ve owned. Takedown possible but requires the removal of more screws.
Lots of great Hardys also available. Would buy used, as the prices of the new ones are 'way inflated, in my opinion. My bias, though, is for a great American reel on a great American rod.
Again, I’d not skimp. You’ll never be satisified with a budget reel on that rod.
Not trying to start a fight here, just an opinion.
I agree the reels you posted are FANTASTIC!
But I do not see a problem with skimping on a well balance reel for the rod.
I don’t believe in going broke or in debt for a fancy reel. The line and rod, not to mention, the fly is the most important part.
NOW! if I owned an Oyster, I do agree that that HARDY is a must, but lets face it, you spend more money on one rod because it is bamboo, seems the reel is more a looks thing to compliment than anything (not forgett ing the well balance good fit thing8)
p.s. Bill O I will own one…oh yes…some day…oh yes
What’s wrong with looks FG?
btw…You’re still hot!
How about a Leonard Bi-Metal reproduction?
I like the look of that reel, the lenoard bi metal, I have been looking at alot of the suggestions, wow what a descision lol but how awsome.
wire