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#12150945 07/17/17
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I recently bought a St Croix Imperial 7.5 ft, 4 wt, 4pc rod to use on our streams in the Smokys. Alot of native fish up there and nothing over 12 inches. I'm looking for a reel but don't see the need to spend a bunch of money on a line holder. I'm looking at $100 or less fly reels.

What say you guys on reels for this setup?


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Ebay Pflueger 1494

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Old or new version of the Medalist?

Last edited by bwinters; 07/17/17.

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the medalist is a good eel. I have 3 of them but I think it would too heavy for your rod

I would go for something like thisnt need a great drag. I have one of this as a back up for my 3 wt and not a bad option.

https://www.amazon.com/Piscifun-Fis...mp;sr=1-2&keywords=fly+reel+4+weight


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if you want to spend a bit more this is a great deal

https://www.backcountry.com/wright-...Rmx5IFJlZWxzOjE6MTI6YmNzQ2F0MTIxMDAwMDk=

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I'll have a look at the Wright/McGill - we are on the same page. Ive also been looking at the Okuma SLV 45, Lamson Liquid 1.5, Redington Surge.


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After reviewing all the 'cheaper' reels I was looking at, bought the Wright McGill Dragonfly from Amazon for $52. Even had a $50 Amazon gift card cool

The Dragon fly is machined 6061 aluminum and graphite disc drag. I couldn't tell if the drag is sealed it had but none of the other reels I was looking were except the Lamson Liquid. Online reviews were positive so we'll see how much drag inertia it has - might use on a local stream with bigger trout.

Thanks for the heads up!

Last edited by bwinters; 07/17/17.

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You just need a ceramic disc reel.... SA makes a good one https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Anglers-Concept-Reel-Black/dp/B01F3YJDXW

and the orvis battenkill 3,4,5 weight disc reel has great balance. Get an extra spool to easily change out lines.


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I would not count out anything from Cabelas. I have had a Cabelas reel on my St.Croix for 8 years and I still fish it religiously. I forget which model and the writing on it wore off years ago.


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I use a Martin S3G on my 7' 4 wt rod. It is very lightweight and it balances well on the rod. I have never needed a disc drag for trout fishing. The click and pawl works fine.

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As a lifelong fly fisherman and former Orvis store owner, I'm picky about fly reels, even though on a 4 wt, it's most there to store your line. Last yr when I went looking for one to match a ross pack rod, in 4 wt, I ran across the ubiquitous chinese cheapos. I figured what the heck and bought a couple. And they aren't bad. The piscifun "Blaze" at @<50 bucks on Amazon is as good as some 200$ reels I've seen.. I just replaced a Hardy LRH with one. Unless you're a brand snob, I would check them out.

Last edited by brayhaven; 07/22/17.

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Originally Posted by brayhaven
As a lifelong fly fisherman and former Orvis store owner, I'm picky about fly reels, even though on a 4 wt, it's most there to store your line. Last yr when I went looking for one to match a ross pack rod, in 4 wt, I ran across the ubiquitous chinese cheapos. I figured what the heck and bought a couple. And they aren't bad. The piscifun "Blaze" at @<50 bucks on Amazon is as good as some 200$ reels I've seen.. I just replaced a Hardy LRH with one. Unless you're a brand snob, I would check them out.


I'm curious about replacing a Hardy with a Piscifun? Lighter? Smoother? Better function? Don't have to worry about something happening to the pricier Hardy?
For spinning reels I have always preferred the Mitchells... the 308s have been a favorite of mine since the late '60s but this spring I bought a few Pflueger President spinning reels and they are so much smoother and the drags are much better so they have become my go-to jigging reels. Next I need to buy one of the largest size to try on a surf-rod for catfish. May retire my Mitchells all together. Switching to chinese made reels... who would have thought?


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Originally Posted by teamprairiedog
Originally Posted by brayhaven
As a lifelong fly fisherman and former Orvis store owner, I'm picky about fly reels, even though on a 4 wt, it's most there to store your line. Last yr when I went looking for one to match a ross pack rod, in 4 wt, I ran across the ubiquitous chinese cheapos. I figured what the heck and bought a couple. And they aren't bad. The piscifun "Blaze" at @<50 bucks on Amazon is as good as some 200$ reels I've seen.. I just replaced a Hardy LRH with one. Unless you're a brand snob, I would check them out.


I'm curious about replacing a Hardy with a Piscifun? Lighter? Smoother? Better function? Don't have to worry about something happening to the pricier Hardy?
For spinning reels I have always preferred the Mitchells... the 308s have been a favorite of mine since the late '60s but this spring I bought a few Pflueger President spinning reels and they are so much smoother and the drags are much better so they have become my go-to jigging reels. Next I need to buy one of the largest size to try on a surf-rod for catfish. May retire my Mitchells all together. Switching to chinese made reels... who would have thought?


Several reasons. The Hardy on my 7/8 wt Orvis 4 piece "all rounder" had no drag, and I use the rig (as the name implies) for everything on trips. A couple big salmon in AK were too much for that rig, with no way to slow em down (& save my fingers). Also, believe it or not, the piscifun is at least as smooth or smoother and has a better line holding capacity for backing. That Hardy was on the rod for 25 years and I had a lot of fun from 8" brookies to Redfish in the gulf flats with it, but I wanted a little more power. Plus I can buy several of those Piscifun reels for what one heavily used old Hardy brings.. Not all the Chinese reels are acceptable, so read the critical reviews. Generally stay away from the 20 dollar ones on ebay, buy on amazon, or from someone with great returns. Get one with a sealed drag & machined spool. Another reel that impressed me, though not a "pretty" is the Okuma SLV.. I put one on my 9x9 for Sea trout & Redfish. Still waiting to jump a Tarpon on it to see what it really has though smile


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Originally Posted by brayhaven
Originally Posted by teamprairiedog
Originally Posted by brayhaven
As a lifelong fly fisherman and former Orvis store owner, I'm picky about fly reels, even though on a 4 wt, it's most there to store your line. Last yr when I went looking for one to match a ross pack rod, in 4 wt, I ran across the ubiquitous chinese cheapos. I figured what the heck and bought a couple. And they aren't bad. The piscifun "Blaze" at @<50 bucks on Amazon is as good as some 200$ reels I've seen.. I just replaced a Hardy LRH with one. Unless you're a brand snob, I would check them out.


I'm curious about replacing a Hardy with a Piscifun? Lighter? Smoother? Better function? Don't have to worry about something happening to the pricier Hardy?
For spinning reels I have always preferred the Mitchells... the 308s have been a favorite of mine since the late '60s but this spring I bought a few Pflueger President spinning reels and they are so much smoother and the drags are much better so they have become my go-to jigging reels. Next I need to buy one of the largest size to try on a surf-rod for catfish. May retire my Mitchells all together. Switching to chinese made reels... who would have thought?


Several reasons. The Hardy on my 7/8 wt Orvis 4 piece "all rounder" had no drag, and I use the rig (as the name implies) for everything on trips. A couple big salmon in AK were too much for that rig, with no way to slow em down (& save my fingers). Also, believe it or not, the piscifun is at least as smooth or smoother and has a better line holding capacity for backing. That Hardy was on the rod for 25 years and I had a lot of fun from 8" brookies to Redfish in the gulf flats with it, but I wanted a little more power. Plus I can buy several of those Piscifun reels for what one heavily used old Hardy brings.. Not all the Chinese reels are acceptable, so read the critical reviews. Generally stay away from the 20 dollar ones on ebay, buy on amazon, or from someone with great returns. Get one with a sealed drag & machined spool. Another reel that impressed me, though not a "pretty" is the Okuma SLV.. I put one on my 9x9 for Sea trout & Redfish. Still waiting to jump a Tarpon on it to see what it really has though smile


Smoother, better function for less money, what's not to like?
Now if only the chinese will start making their versions of Anschutz 54 action rifles and Beretta o/u shotguns and S&W revolvers in the same manner.


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Originally Posted by teamprairiedog
Originally Posted by brayhaven
Originally Posted by teamprairiedog
Originally Posted by brayhaven
As a lifelong fly fisherman and former Orvis store owner, I'm picky about fly reels, even though on a 4 wt, it's most there to store your line. Last yr when I went looking for one to match a ross pack rod, in 4 wt, I ran across the ubiquitous chinese cheapos. I figured what the heck and bought a couple. And they aren't bad. The piscifun "Blaze" at @<50 bucks on Amazon is as good as some 200$ reels I've seen.. I just replaced a Hardy LRH with one. Unless you're a brand snob, I would check them out.


I'm curious about replacing a Hardy with a Piscifun? Lighter? Smoother? Better function? Don't have to worry about something happening to the pricier Hardy?
For spinning reels I have always preferred the Mitchells... the 308s have been a favorite of mine since the late '60s but this spring I bought a few Pflueger President spinning reels and they are so much smoother and the drags are much better so they have become my go-to jigging reels. Next I need to buy one of the largest size to try on a surf-rod for catfish. May retire my Mitchells all together. Switching to chinese made reels... who would have thought?


Several reasons. The Hardy on my 7/8 wt Orvis 4 piece "all rounder" had no drag, and I use the rig (as the name implies) for everything on trips. A couple big salmon in AK were too much for that rig, with no way to slow em down (& save my fingers). Also, believe it or not, the piscifun is at least as smooth or smoother and has a better line holding capacity for backing. That Hardy was on the rod for 25 years and I had a lot of fun from 8" brookies to Redfish in the gulf flats with it, but I wanted a little more power. Plus I can buy several of those Piscifun reels for what one heavily used old Hardy brings.. Not all the Chinese reels are acceptable, so read the critical reviews. Generally stay away from the 20 dollar ones on ebay, buy on amazon, or from someone with great returns. Get one with a sealed drag & machined spool. Another reel that impressed me, though not a "pretty" is the Okuma SLV.. I put one on my 9x9 for Sea trout & Redfish. Still waiting to jump a Tarpon on it to see what it really has though smile


Smoother, better function for less money, what's not to like?
Now if only the chinese will start making their versions of Anschutz 54 action rifles and Beretta o/u shotguns and S&W revolvers in the same manner.



They certainly have the capability, but don't seem interested in making guns. Though their optics have steadily improved over recent years to the point of being pretty good.
And I couldn't agree more on the annie 54 being the finest rimfire action ever made. Especially the early ones. May even be one or 2 on my website for sale 😊
Maybe the Chinese govt doesn't want the peasants to gave their hands on a lot of firearms. They had a problem with that a while back.


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Any of you have any experience with the Piscifun rods? They have a little 8' 3wt that looks like it would be fun.


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My favorite light, somewhat inexpensive (it's all relative, and after buying a Sage reel ... relative changes) fly reel is from White River Fly Shop, a store brand of Bass Pro Shops.

Click here!

I bought one a couple years ago because the 1492 medalist was just too heavy for the 5 foot 2 weight Cabela's rod I had it on and it was throwing the balance off badly. I got this, put the line on it, went fishing once, and went right back and ordered a second one just in case they might discontinue them someday. I really like it. The only negative I see is, like the Sage "Click" reels, there's a limit to how light you can set the drag. I like to tie on 1 pound test leader sometimes. I haven't broken a fly off because I couldnt' get the drag light enough but think I've scared the crap out of it a time or two.

Anyways ... IMHO, nifty little reels. Might be too small for you, but worth a look.

Tom


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+1 for the White River reel especially if on sale for half price. Bought one about a year ago on sale did not regret it.


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