Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

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Brooktrout3333
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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#21

Post by Brooktrout3333 »

Wait time is currently four months on new orders . I have three months left to wait… fortunately I have a couple of bamboos as backups , since trout season in the south starts in March. At least for me..

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ibookje
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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#22

Post by ibookje »

Reels with 'high end drag' for anything below 6 weight for trout puzzles me

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#23

Post by Brooktrout3333 »

iBookje I agree , but the recent trend towards disc over click in reels 3-5 proves the market is growing … and reel manufacturers are listening. Personally I’ve used old school English made Orvis Reels for forty years and never lost a fish due to lack of drag or reel failure. Every fish I’ve lost is either human error or when using a small barbless hook .

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ffftroutbum
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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#24

Post by ffftroutbum »

I am liking the disc drags. For one, I don’t have to spend a morning or two each year cleaning my reels. I also am keeping the drags a bit tighter than with the adjustable check systems, as a result I am fighting fish faster. One thing with the Sage is that it has numbers for each indexed drag setting. As a result, I can really fine tune how tight I can keep it for each tippet size.

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#25

Post by Brooktrout3333 »

Ffftroutbum , both valid points concerning the advantages of disc drags . I have traditionalist leanings but the disc over click trend has the momentum currently. I don’t think clicks will ever totally go away, but no doubt those using them will be an increasingly smaller number going forward.

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ffftroutbum
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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#26

Post by ffftroutbum »

Brook, there are several nice looking LA clickers. I think of the prettier ones is the Ross Colorado. Some folks love the Sage LA clicker and the Galvan Brookie as well. I still think that regular arbor reels are prettier than most of the LA models. But a few of the skeletonized Ross models are not too shabby looking. And, Brook, don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy my Perfects, Lightweights, Marquis, and CFOs.

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#27

Post by Brooktrout3333 »

Troutbum, I totally agree old Orvis English made CFO’s have been my bread and butter for forty years, I love them. They’re simple and work , like all good tools. The folks at Tom Morgan are big on the Ross Colorado as well… so I’m sure it’s a fine reel.

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#28

Post by Caneghost »

If you are set on a modern large arbor then the Galvan reels are a fine choice. The thing I like about their drag system is that it is the smoothest and most adjustable,particularly on the light end of the spectrum for, well, trout fishing. I have a set of their early Standard model reels (no longer made) that have that same drag with a classic style. None of them scream like a Hardy though!

That said I fish more classic Hardy's and CFO's than anything else anymore.


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Brooktrout3333
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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#29

Post by Brooktrout3333 »

I agree caneghost Galvin seems to be universal praised for there drag system and overall design. But I’ll never let go of my old English CFO’s .. smooth and reliable.

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#30

Post by RaspberryPatch »

There are so many good reels for trout, so it is about you eyes and what appeals to you.

One name not mention is Danielsson out of Sweden.

For trout, I have used for decades Hardy Princess, but work likely to go for a large arbor now for reason of bend radius. My last trout reel purchases was a VRD and Danielsson Midge.

For Salt, Salmon, Steelhead and Spey using Danielsson and earlier Nautilus CCFs. I also have Islander (Permit, 9wt), Einarsson (Bonefish, 8wt) and an Abel SDS (Tarpon, 11wt). I want LA for retrieval and open spool to do a quick rinse at the end of the day.

All good, but best value under 500 for trout - Daniellson and VRD.

Only reels I stopped using were Speyco (starup interia) , Waterworks (plastic clicker and fine line catch in spool)).

I have been using Danielsson, Islander, Hardy since the 90s. The Nautilus for 15+ years.

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Seabowisha Salmo T
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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#31

Post by Seabowisha Salmo T »

Brooktrout3333 wrote:
02/03/22 11:54
Good insight into the shootout scores for Bozeman Reels. I also agree PYochim on the function of a drag system.
yes, pyokum is correct. the resistance is primarily to prevent "birdnest" backlashes while reducining excessive strain on the tippet; not to stop a freight train or the neighbors tomcat.
regards jim w

Brooktrout3333
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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#32

Post by Brooktrout3333 »

Excellent discussion gentleman… very
Good and informative insight ! Thanks so much ..

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#33

Post by JabaliHunter »

If you can find one, then my pick would be either a mint/new Abel Super 4N reel at 3.25” and a really nice match for a 8’6” graphite 4 or 5 weight; or a Waterworks-Lamson Force SL Series II in size -3+ (used to be size 1 until they renamed the sizes a few years ago), slightly bigger than the Abel at 3.5” (despite what Waterworks say it is not 3.8”)

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#34

Post by Brooktrout3333 »

Thank you !

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JohnMD1022
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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#35

Post by JohnMD1022 »

I favor Hardy JLH and Orvis CFO reels. The

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#36

Post by Jrintx »

CFOs and Ross Colorado LTs on 5wts and under. Mirage LT on my 6 & 8 wts. The big mirage LT IV spooled up is right at $600.

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#37

Post by Morten »

I only use disc drags for cold salt. I have used various Danielssons, Galvan Torque, and Lamson. Danielssons are by far the best reels, in all aspects!, with Galvan not far behind. That said, a black Galvan Torque would look nice on your new rod.

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#38

Post by windy »

Does anybody else suspect, as I do, that "best" and "modern" are mutually exclusive terms?
windy

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Brian K. Shaffer
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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#39

Post by Brian K. Shaffer »

https://www.vr-reels.com/trutta-perfetta-alluminum/

Vlad's Trutta Perfetta is glorious and under $500 direct from the maker.
" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer

Use the SEARCH for justification and reasoning.

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Re: Best Modern Fly Reel Under $500

#40

Post by pgbuilt2 »

If modern , all the suggestions made so far would do nicely , Galvan & Ross would be a great option , however , the suggestion for the Hardy LRH would top my list , a Classic for a Classic , Abel made CFO if you’re sticking with USA made stuff , not so much modern , just a single humble opinion fitting for a Morgan … Have fun with your choice …?

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