What Fly Rods And Reels Do You Use?

[Ben Lamb]

I tie mine with a little bit of flash and either 1 tungsten bead (smaller rivers) or 2 (bigger rivers). Works like a charm to get your smaller nymphs into the zone fast.

Show off.

 

[BirdManMike]

All USA Medalists. I buy junkers on eBay and restore them. I have ziplock bags full of screws, pawls, and such. They are actually 149x reels that I've put RC spools in.

A man of taste and refinement.

 

[44hunter45]

A man of taste and refinement.

If the mountains are blue, it's ready to drink.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I haven't seen anyone mention Galvan reels. I have one (Rush) for my 8 weight and I think it's one of the best deals in fly fishing. I'm also quite fond of my old Ross Cimmaron, which lives on the 5 weight.

I had some of the original Galvan's & OB's. Bombproof reels for sure. The Rush is almost identical to the old OB's.

I do think that fly reel technology over the last ten years has made a lot of the higher end reels a bit obsolete. You buy an Abel for the looks, or for the corrosion resistance, but in the end, you still are paying for the name more than anything.

 

[BirdManMike]

I had some of the original Galvan's & OB's. Bombproof reels for sure. The Rush is almost identical to the old OB's.

I do think that fly reel technology over the last ten years has made a lot of the higher end reels a bit obsolete. You buy an Abel for the looks, or for the corrosion resistance, but in the end, you still are paying for the name more than anything.

In trout fishing a reel is just a line holder. It literally does not matter which you use. In other sorts of fishing drag systems become more important.

 

[Ben Lamb]

In trout fishing a reel is just a line holder. It literally does not matter which you use. In other sorts of fishing drag systems become more important.

If you're talking about trout under 20", then yeah. I've had trout take me into my backing, and I've been glad for a smooth, steady drag system.

 

[rtraverdavis]

I haven't seen anyone mention Galvan reels. I have one (Rush) for my 8 weight and I think it's one of the best deals in fly fishing. I'm also quite fond of my old Ross Cimmaron, which lives on the 5 weight.

I use a Galvan Rush with my Seven Weight Helios switch rod for steelhead. That’s my absolute favorite steelhead setup.

 

[TheJason]

If you're talking about trout under 20", then yeah. I've had trout take me into my backing, and I've been glad for a smooth, steady drag system.

I burned up two Cortland reels in three years in Laramie.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I burned up two Cortland reels in three years in Laramie.

You're supposed to fish with them, not light them on fire.

 

[Mallardsx2]

Orvis Clearwater. I cant afford much better because I will shut it in the truck tailgate anyhow.

 

[BirdManMike]

If you're talking about trout under 20", then yeah. I've had trout take me into my backing, and I've been glad for a smooth, steady drag system.

Nah, most trout fishing with some outliers, of course. There is 'nice to have' and there is 'needed'.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Nah, most trout fishing with some outliers, of course. There is 'nice to have' and there is 'needed'.

 

[BirdManMike]

Neigh, gospel, it is.

 

[BirdManMike]

Thinking about it more. All the atlantic salmon fishing I did all over the world and all the fishes I caught when I went thru that phase of my life (thankfully, Ive gotten over it) was done with a dragless, click-pawl reel. All the steelheads caught have been on one, also. Thats way more demanding than trout.

Reel is only important for saltwater fish. So it is written as gospel heretofore in the good book of raptor jesus.

 

[BirdManMike]

One more addendum to the above gospel:

*Important in terms of function. Form, it looking good, can't be measured. No amount of Galvan, Ross, or Able reels on this earth can equal the form of a Hardy Perfect**.


**Alas, I had to sell all mine as I felt like a douche. Still!

 

[Ben Lamb]

One more addendum to the above gospel:

*Important in terms of function. Form, it looking good, can't be measured. No amount of Galvan, Ross, or Able reels on this earth can equal the form of a Hardy Perfect**.


**Alas, I had to sell all mine as I felt like a douche. Still!

You still have your tweeds & jodhpurs though, so you got that going for you!

 

[Dougfirtree]

I had some of the original Galvan's & OB's. Bombproof reels for sure. The Rush is almost identical to the old OB's.

I do think that fly reel technology over the last ten years has made a lot of the higher end reels a bit obsolete. You buy an Abel for the looks, or for the corrosion resistance, but in the end, you still are paying for the name more than anything.

I agree with you when it comes to trout fishing. Not sure I'd agree if you're trying to stop albies, etc.

 

[Dougfirtree]

You're supposed to fish with them, not light them on fire.

Sometimes the rock gods demand sacrifice.

 

[MThuntr]

9' 5wt Winston GVX...broke the tip this weekend
9' 4wt POS Okuma something or another from some random store. Surprisingly not a bad caster
9' 5wt Cabelas POS medium action rod that nobody likes

Looking at getting a 7wt and possibly a 3wt.

 

[BirdManMike]

You still have your tweeds & jodhpurs though, so you got that going for you!

Ill have you know, sir, these breeks are are ideal for wet wading.