Spring & pawl reels

[Bob M]

I recently picked up a spring & pawl Hardy ultralight reel and was surprised at the great engineering that went into it. In several respects it was much better than a $200 reel I have from a different well known firm. It has a very durable design, I've never seen a reel release work better, it has a good range of drag settings, and the line guard is a minor marvel. I'd have to be real picky to ask for it to be a little softer on low drag settings.

I'm beginning to prefer spring & pawl reels when using 2-6 line weights. Of course this is going to require a few more wallet-lightning trips to the flyshop. What spring & pawl reels do you like (if any) and why?

Thanks,
Bob

[WDN FLY]

Bob, I have to agree, I build custom reels and use a spring and pawl system. Spring and pawl is thebest system there is for light line fishing. One step further is one that isn't adjustable while fishing. With it non-adjustable there's one less thing to worry about when the real action starts. Disc drags as a rule simply have too much drag to protect a 6 or 7x tippet and the are a little heavier.

As far as other companies I like Hardy and Orvis but neither one makes a large arbor reel with a spring and pawl over-run control. Good choice with the Hardy, try playing with the spring if you want the drag softer.

[The Ole Man]

Bob:
I don't own one, but the Abel TR series (trout series)is all spring and pawl. I think they are internally adjustable only. Abel describes them as a one of a kind spring and pawl -so I suppose it is an Abel exclusive design. They are pricey though-$230/270. Lamson has one spring and pawl model, the Lamson 1 Light I believe it is. Think they run about $200. On the other end of the scale-Cabelas Graphite Reel is spring and pawl at $19.95. This appears to be an Okuma with Cabelas nameplate. I have two of the original Sci Anglers System 1 reels from around 1985. They are spring and pawl and were made in Japan. I have my Southbend reel that I bought in 1963 that has no drag-only has a click regulator. Engaging the clicker is the total drag force. It's a no palm rim too-you just had to squeeze the line between your fingers for some drag and hope for the best. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif On light trout, the weight of the line in the water is frequently enough drag in itself to wear out the fish.

[Drifter]

The Ole Man flexes his arthritic fingers and types: "I have my Southbend reel that I bought in 1963 ..."

Ole Man,

Tell 'em 'bout the time you were flyfishing the Potomac and met President Washington http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif

Drifter

[The Ole Man]

Drif
I've got the gl****rod to go with it too. Oughta bring it to the fling and give a demo.
It saw a lot of b****and bluegill action -but trout were hard to come by back then. The Buford Hatchery wasn't built until 1980-I think it was. Think Rock Creek is older. Caught my first Brookie in 1950 when I was 8 years old. Was in a stream near Lake Burton-in a pool behind a rock spillway-fishing with my dad. Worm and cane pole of course. Don't know where the place is now-but I can see it and feel it just as it was almost 50 years ago. Remember thinking I had never seen such a slimy/slick fish. C&R'd him too-bout a 7 incher.

Mr. Washington was a dry-fly man. Never entered the water without his tweed coat and tie. Had a penchant for Rye. Carried a pewter priest and always made Martha clean and cook his fish. His teeth never were right though-had a woodsy look to them. Nice enough fellow -mumbled something about the Delaware all the time..think he may have fished there once.......... http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

[WDN FLY]

It is a truly presidential stream. Well not by modern presidential standards. Did I write that or just think it. OOPS, My fingers were moving while I was thinking.

[WDN FLY]

Those are some nice reels you mentioned, I guess my reel is in good company. There should be one at the fling.

[James Buice]

I've always liked Hardy, great reels and you know 10 years down the road, they will still be around. I've used both disc (Teton, Bauer) and click -check reels (Hardy, Abel), and must say the Abel TR is the best reel out of them all for trout. You can turn 6lb trout with click-check reels just as well as disc. I think folks forget they are not fishing for submarines....

James

[Owl]

Ditto what James said ! http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif



....periscope up !

[WDN FLY]

So that wasn't a submarine that went by my leg the other night...... http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

[James Buice]

Did see a carp with a periscope once....;)

[Capt Joe]

You might want to look at the Ross Colorado series of reels. Fully machined and anodized and comes with interchangable drag springs for adjustment. Great reel at a great price ranging from $100 to $115 depending on size that range from the "O" for 1,2 and 3 wt up to the "3" for the 5, 6 and 7 wt. Also has an unconditional guarantee from a company that has been producing fly reels for over 25 years. Great company too....when you call them they answer the phone with a smile in their voice. Drop me an e-mail if you would like any other info.
Tight Loops,
Capt Joe

[The Ole Man]

Capt Joe
So good to hear from you again! It's been months hasn't it. Hows everything in PC. Have you headed up to Dogwood Riverside Inn lately? Can we catch any fish on the flyrod in PC? Any good wading spots, boating the bay? Guess cooler months are best?

[Owl]

Where , exactly, is the Bay in Pechtree city? http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif Guess the Capt. is in Panama City , huh? I got excited for a min. there ! hehehe

[Capt Joe]

Hi Ole Man,
Yes it has been a little while since I've posted....been real busy trying to make a living (not much of a financial success) and doing more surfing and posting on SW boards. Got my reservations lined up for Dogwood Riverside Inn for October and can't wait...really looking forward to it. To make the wait seem longer, had a customer in the shop last week who went to school with my son (he will be 30 this year) and this customer and his wife left today for a 5 week stay at their place on the Toccoa River. They bought a place up there on Fish Trap Road....Really hurts to see them having such a life at the ripe old age of 30 :).....
Fishing is real good down this way in the salt....Speckled trout, redfish, bluefish, ladyfish, mackerel, bonita, cravele....lots of stuff to let you see your backing.....been getting lots of good reports, kind of early, on the tarpon fishing over towards Lanark and the Dog Island Shoal area (Turkey Point, Mud Cove, etc)....Friend was over there two days last week and saw 60 - 70 each day in less that ideal conditions...He only jumped one but saw another boat on Wednesday that brought 4 to the boat....Still an undiscovered fishery over there.
Been having several of the folks buying SOT kayaks for fishing in the backwaters....mostly still refining the techniques but having a great time at it.
Better quit for now....need to get back to the den and see how my Seminoles are faring in the CWS. First inning was the pits as Stanford jumped out to a 3 run lead in the bottom of the inning....hope my Noles can pull it out...they seem to have such a freeze problem in Omaha.
I'll try to get over to NGTO a little more often...getting pumped about out trip in October....we might even try to grab a day or two up there over the summer while my wife is off (she teaches school).
Tight Loops,
Capt Joe

[Owl]

I have a 5/6 Clearwater reel, too. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif


Owl
snobbin !

[WDN FLY]

OWL, I like fishing with snobs, it makes me feel at home http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif. Hopefully we can get together this fall.

[Owl]

Wdn fly, I'm more of a homebody ( meaning I don't fly) but I'd be more that happy to provide the lodging( my x-tra room) and the guiding( my humble stumbling through the hills ! ) for ya should you want to try Smith's or some other N.GA streams. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

Owl
be forwarned , I like to talk ! Esp. fishing talk !