I am getting close to finishing my first bamboo rod build. Planing cane ROCKS! 8) A PHY Driggs River 7’2" 5wt. taper. Am starting to look for a nice reel to compliment it and was looking for suggestions. Figured it was a good topic for discussion on the board. Any suggestions are welcome, but in all likelihood, I would probably be looking to spend $250 or less. Any thoughts?
Jim,
Just a thought…It might be a good idea to post this same question on the rod building board. Lots of boo builders there.
Hardy
I have an Elkhorn Classic reel and it is absolutely beautiful for a bamboo rod. It is a little higher priced that what you want, but it is very well made.
That makes 2 of us.
http://www.jaustinforbes.com/thistle.html
the Thistle is stunning. Check out the other reels as well.
Unfortunately the reels that LOOK the best; cost the most. I use Hardy on mine 'cause I always have but the prices for new right now are downright terrifying! :shock:
The good news is; the heavier weight that helps balance the heavier bamboo is also found on less expensive reels that just end up being heavier because of less porting or not as exact tolerances. I’m thinking Cabela’s or Bass Pro stuff.
But IMHO if you want class & heft; buy a vintage Pflueger Medalist like a 1494. You can find them on eBay all the time and they can typically be had for WAY less than your budget. If we all are blessed with the reappearance of Bill Franke and his One Pfoot Company; then you can buy after-market parts for it that make it a darn good trout reel.
I have a fully One Pfoot tricked out 1959 Vintage 1494 that I use on a 1964 Fenwick glass rod and it is real sweet!
Good luck!
I have a Hardy Princess (no jokes please) that is a nice brownish color that matches nice with a flamed boo stick. But after buying a 1932 pfluger gem, I seamed to be using it more and more. It is built like a tank and after a slight tunning of the spring it purrrres like a kitten.
Hardy is what I like. JW Young is what I can realistically afford. The Beaudex and Pridex are commonly found on eBay (and elsewhere) for far less than you are looking to spend. I have several and love them with bamboo. Can’t find too much fault with a Medalist, either.
In a modern reel, a Teton Tioga has enough heft to balance a bamboo rod, with a drag that will stop a truck, if you have the need for that.
Jeff
I almost agree with bamboozle 100%. My reasoning is based of course on my boo rods which are the older and longer rods. Try out the 1495 instead of the 1494. If you have access to both check out the balance on your rod. In fact I have a 1495 I will send you as long as you send it back when you have checked out the balance. None of my old pfluegers are for sale nor do I give those away. Just love them to much. Let me know what you think
in your price range either a Bill Ballan or a J. Austin Forbes.
I also prefer to use ‘vintage’ Medalists for cane rods.
You can find them on Ebay for not much money and they look and function well with the cane rods.
Buddy
C&P CFO: maybe a bit light, but it’s for a shorter rod
Hardy Sunbeam: nice looking for less than a resale LRH
Hardy Marquis: another alternative to an LRH, nice looking, available as the early SA System reel
Marryat: I always thought these looked nice, but never used one
Perfect 3 1/8: find a beater for less money. so what if it’s banged up…it’s still a Hardy 
Hope you enjoy your search for the Perfect reel, Jim. Look forward to hearing what you end up getting.
Jim, I have one of these; sometimes somethings just deserve each other.
http://flyanglersonline.com/about/ronkussereels/
Pflueger Medalist first the the Hardy Marquis
Mike
I use Orvis Battenkills and the Barstock Battenkills on my bamboos. I do prefer the English made to the newer Chinese made reels there is a quality difference. I have a Medalist 1495 to balance my 2 8’6" Heddons. I have recently picked up an Abel TR-1, new, on sale and in your price range. An Abel will look good on any rod and Abel quality doesn’t have to be talked about. I also have a Hardy Marquis 6 that looks and works great on bamboo. Bought used 15 yrs ago. I agree that the CFO are a bit light on all but the lightest bamboo rods but wouldn’t pass up on an English made one if the price is right.
The Elkhorn and other companies ie Teastick,Headwaters reels look good but sorry I can’t trust a chinese knockoff. The builder Zhus is still ripping off AJ Thramer and W. Cattanaughs names on his rods. I will not buy anything he makes. If you really want a classic type reel look to Bill Ballan on E-bay. Sometimes his prices are close to your price range.
Good modern reels that won’t brake the bank they just don’t look traditional on bamboo would be Teton Tiogas, made in U.S.A. I have 5 with never a failure. Trout sizes start at about 100.00. Same drags and materials as on the more expensive Teton reels just less machining. I also have no complaints with my old Scientific Anglers reels but am not sure who makes them anymore. My System 2l is over 10 years old.
Tom
For my bamboos I use: Bill Ballan Trout Classic, Elkhorn Classic, JW Young Pridex, Abel TR-2, Tibor Spring Creek, J Austin Forbes. I’ve also got a real early reel that is probably a JW Young that I haven’t put a line on yet.
Most excellent!!
Reels are such a personal pref. I like them all, depends. I’ve used Youngs to higher end Bauers etc. I love the Bauers but also have this “thing” about simplicity…going to a simple and old reel from Ebay or ?? where I find them. No space age drag system etc just simplicity. This includes the Ross Colorado’s too but that old patina of an older model has an allure that I like. Unfortunately, when you get an older reel in best shape it’s not too cheap, as you probably know.
Have fun with your searching. It’s all part of it.
I usually use my more modern reels on my one and only bamboo rod…either a Ross Cimarron or my Lamson Radius (since I tend to put my money in items other than my fly reels–that said, I wouldn’t mind a Hardy). I save the old Pflueger reels I have for my old glass rods.
This is a Medalist 1492 1/2 I use on cane rods.
Its wider than a 1492 and hold a 5 wt line nicely.
