Fly reel quality to price - 10/13/05
Fly reel recommendations?
I�m looking for the obvious: best quality to price ratio in a fly reel. There are a blizzard of reels available. Must be large arbor, fairly light weight, take a nine wt line and 100 yards of preferably 30 lb. backing, have an exposed rim for palming. I�d like a good one way drag (outgoing only) or at least a stout enough clicker to keep from backlash if a fish does a spurt run when my hand isn�t palming the rim. A drag lets you at least have a break from palming the rim on long fights.
I've learned (been told by a knowledgeable person) that apparently none of the lower cost reels (under $100 and probably any under $150) have a drag that will stand up to even one season of use on fish of Coho size and power. The wonderfully light weight graphite Cortland I bought recently will make a delightful trout reel, but its drag power is down to half strength after about 20 pink salmon and one Chinook. I'm also told that none of the lower cost reels have replaceable parts for the drag.
Why couldn�t somebody build a low cost light weight graphite reel with a drop in drag replacement disc or even a replaceable self contained drag assembly? I�m no engineer but a fly reel is an incredibly simple device.
My habit when I get serious in such matters is to find out what is quality and what level of quality will satisfy me. Then I decide either to buy it and use it, or to not buy anything at all. In the latter case I'm neither willing to use junk nor willing to pay for the quality I want considering the minimal use I'll have for it.
So, your thoughts on the "best" reel(s)?
I�m looking for the obvious: best quality to price ratio in a fly reel. There are a blizzard of reels available. Must be large arbor, fairly light weight, take a nine wt line and 100 yards of preferably 30 lb. backing, have an exposed rim for palming. I�d like a good one way drag (outgoing only) or at least a stout enough clicker to keep from backlash if a fish does a spurt run when my hand isn�t palming the rim. A drag lets you at least have a break from palming the rim on long fights.
I've learned (been told by a knowledgeable person) that apparently none of the lower cost reels (under $100 and probably any under $150) have a drag that will stand up to even one season of use on fish of Coho size and power. The wonderfully light weight graphite Cortland I bought recently will make a delightful trout reel, but its drag power is down to half strength after about 20 pink salmon and one Chinook. I'm also told that none of the lower cost reels have replaceable parts for the drag.
Why couldn�t somebody build a low cost light weight graphite reel with a drop in drag replacement disc or even a replaceable self contained drag assembly? I�m no engineer but a fly reel is an incredibly simple device.
My habit when I get serious in such matters is to find out what is quality and what level of quality will satisfy me. Then I decide either to buy it and use it, or to not buy anything at all. In the latter case I'm neither willing to use junk nor willing to pay for the quality I want considering the minimal use I'll have for it.
So, your thoughts on the "best" reel(s)?