It is really difficult to communicate the proper tone on a forum… my apologies…
I am in agreement with you regarding the value of a quality drag. Can we get by without it, sure, but I am sure glad that I have one.
I also apologize for appearing boastful… Alaska is certainly known for large fish… I sure wasn’t seeking to generate envy, rather make the point and maybe adding a little excitment…
I do know what you are saying. There is a creek that I love to fish where the average is more like 16" (except for the salmon fo course), but the action is often non-stop and there is not another human in sight or sound! So, the value of fishing is way more than the size of the fish or even the number of hook-ups. It is about the experience. I mention this creek specifically here: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/showthread.php?t=24499
Not a problem for me. I didn’t really take offense. You are right tone is difficult to interpret on a fourm like this. I’ve never been to Alaska but hope to make it one day.
Round here they call lake run Bow’s steelhead. Average GL steelhead runs maybe 10 lb. They will get to 20# on occasion. Biggest stream run trout are browns which might make a little over 10# with stream run bow’s slightly smaller. Biggest fish are King Salmon which might make 30+ lb. but they are rare anymore. So, on the average, we don’t get very big fish.
But all the rules about fighting fish still apply. You can still break a rod on a 10# fish if you candy cane it. And you can still do that easily if you have your drag set too tight. So I still say, set the drag light and palm. But I said that before.
Different case if you have a smoking bone or a big tarpon on. You live and die by your drag there. Otherwise, it really don’t matter that much.
I think the customer service from both Ross and Waterworks/Lamson are going to be equal. Also, I feel the drag on both reels are equal. However, look at the diameters between both reels. You will find the Lamson to be a larger diameter than the Ross reel. To me, that means quicker line pickup. I would go w/ the Litespeed.
no photo, but thanks to the reminder on this thread to put the fish on the reel, the Ross Rhythm size 0 on my 3 wt brought me 24 inches of cold trout yesterday. (air temp 31, rain mixed with sleet) the fish took off down the stream, came back, changed his mind, went for the ice–you know the drill. even at that temperature, the drag was smoother than anything my numb hands were going to accomplish with the line, and he came to hand in the end. took my small rod 'cause the fish in that stream are 10" stockies…mostly.
