I’m about to build this kit and I need to get a reel for it. For those that are using these little rods can you recommend a fairly inexpensive reel? I would like to find something the is small enough and light enough to keep the balance of this little rod. The smaller and lighter the better. I’ll be using either WF2F or 3 line and I have no need for more than 20 - 30 yrds of backing since this is going to be used on very small streams and farm ponds for panfish.
I’ve checked with a few of the sponsors and I really don’t see much to choose from. Most all of the reels that I’ve found are for 3-4 and up.
Pflueger 1834. Got mine from Hook & Hackle, use it on my 6’6" 2wt. Balances the rod nicely. I’ve only used it with WF2F but will probably overline with 3 soon as I make very short casts with it.
Another vote for pflueger 1834. I have it on my 8’ 2wt redington and love it. Very light and efficient to get the job done for small stream fishing. Price is also definitely right…
Pfluegers are more or less bulletproof. The Supreme 1834 is spot-on for a 2-wt: small, light, and very handsome. Plus, Hook and Hackle might be selling them for 20% off if you order online. Worth a look!
Hey Roger, Theaux told me you stopped in @ the shop. Good fella, huh? Sorry I missed you guys - getting ready to sell the house so now I have a laundry list of things to do which does not (as far as my wife is concerned) include fishing. Luckily she’s gone Monday thru Thursday till the end of the month! I also was forced to tell Theaux about the origins of my screen name, which is a funny story about someone other than me.
J Austin Forbes make some good reels and for a Zero thru 3 weight. You can google the name for their website and Ebay is selling them cheap these days. High quality reel.
The 1834 Pflueger Supreme is a nice little reel. Machined and the price is right.
I had to knock the points of the pawls off with a Diamond Lap hook hone to loosen it up a bit…works great now.
Scientific Anglers system 2L 2/3 size
English made Orvis Battenkill disc 3/4
Orvis CFO 1
Orvis BBS II
I cannot recommend the Chinese made Orvis reels the quality is just not there for the Orvis brand.
Teton Tioga size 2
Just picked up a Ross Flycast 1 on clearance from Gander Mountain for $29.95 for mine. It’s overkill with its disc drag, but the price was right. Go with the 3wt line as well. I just finished this rod and it casts a 4wt beautifully, but I’ll still buy a 3wt line anyway. I can always swap reels from another rod.
I put a Crystal River Cahill on mine. Cheap and only weighs 2.7 oz. It turned out to be a decent little reel, and the drag actually worked decently when I accidentally hooked up with a carp last year.
Thanks everyone for the input. I was thinking about the Pflueger or the Battenkill Barstock and now also the Tetons. Anyone have any input on the TFO reels?
I have the same rod, you will be amazed at how it preforms!!!
I fish everything with it; from perch in the spring to bass, and small grass pike.
The rod has some great action, and bends into a really cool C shape when you have a good sized fish in the other end!
I put an Orvis Rocky Mountain large arbor on it; not to expensive, but has the same drag systeme as the higher end models , it complements the rod quite well.