Reel Suggestions

[S.Trutta]

Can anyone offer a reel suggestion for a Phillipson Power Pakt 8 1/2ft 3/2 5wt?? This rod is in awesome shape, and I've gotten to fish it a little bit since I bought it, but the only reel that i have fished on it so far is my Ross Evolution #2.....not exactly a match for a pretty old bamboo rod. With the move to Michigan coming up and more chances to fish some larger water I am really wanting to get a nice reel to finish off this rod and allow me to have an enjoyable rig.

I have some general ideas, but was wondering if anyone has any input. This rod is not worth a whole ton of money, so naturally I dont want to drop a ridiculous amount on a reel. The peerless reels are sweet, but a little more than I'd want to spend for this rod. I have also looked at whatever Bill Ballan reels I could find, some older Hardy's, Orvis CFO's, etc. The reel does not necessarily have to be an "old reel", if you had a recommendation on a more current reel that had a classic look to it, like a Ross San Miguel, that would be fine to.

Open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks guys
Rich

[The Ole Man]

I think the bronze finish CFO's look really nice with bamboo. Just my .02 cents.

[Buck Henry]

Rich,

I too am a big fan of the Orvis CFO's. I like the older green models myself, and own a CFO IV and a CFO III in that color. The CFO's are a time tested design with that classic look and they are built tough. Also, Orvis is very reasonable on the cost to repair / refurbish their reels if it is ever needed.

PS: don't discount the old english made Orvis Battenkill reels. They too look great on old Boo's and are a great value. Awesome, well built reels for the money IMHO. I own one each of the 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 sizes. You can still pick up the English made Battenkills for a decent price, but every day they get a bit more valuable on the used market since Orvis shifted the production of the Battenkill's over to China.

PSS: I am hoping to score a nice Peerless reel from the Misses this Christmas. I am already starting to drop hints!

[Drifter]

Rich,

I'm fond of the Ballen reel because of the vintage look. Here's a photo of mine mounted on my 4 weight. They can often be had on the used market for about $200.

http://www.pbase.com/stevekeeble/image/60972201/medium.jpg

[fishnpreacher]

Ballan and Sylk, a definite winning combination ;)

[Buck Henry]

Speaking of Bill Ballan reels, his website currently says that all available reels are 50% off list price. If this is current and still true, you can pick up a brand new Ballan Heirloom for around $225. I have to admit I am very tempted!

I am not sure how up to date his website is, but if he is unloading current stock for half price, it might be worth looking in to. Here is a link: www.billballanreels.com.

[S.Trutta]

Hey Clark. The bill ballan webpage has said that for quite sometime. i emailed them about 4 months ago asking what they had left and I never recieved any response back. You can usually find a handful of the reels new on ebay, and he is still selling them at $225. i have not seen the size i need yet, but if I do i'm jumping on it.

anyways, thanks for the heads up!!

Rich

[cucarachafly]

My old fly fishing mentor, the late Russell Stephens of Canton, used to say that a reel didn't do anything but store your line- so the cheaper the better. But then again all he fished was those little streams that we can't mention on here (and for good reason). But after completing my first bamboo Oyster instructed rod, Bill wouldn't let you out of his shop with just any old reel! So I bit the bullet and sprung for a Peerless 1 1/2 reel. Wow! Definatley the sweetest reel I've ever used. Very smooth, clean and classic. Definately does more than stores your line. Sorry Russell. Have had a couple of pretty nice trout let it sing it's song.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/jeffroach_photos/P7010407.jpg