[woody]

What do ya think :thumbup:
now I just need a reel to go with it. Any suggestions? looking to spend around $300 - $500

 

[stone]

Nice rod! The SLT is one of my favorite series that Sage produces. :thumbup:

As far a reel in that price range, there's several that would fit the bill. Bauer Mackenzie Super Lite M4SL. Nautilus Reels puts out a nice product. Ross Big Game 4. Islander Reel. There's so many... ;D

My 8wt has a 3.75" Hardy Bougle Mk 4 on it, and I just picked up a Gem MK II for the 9140 and to fish the salt...but Hardy is not everyone's cup of tea. I love them, though.

 

[4x4]

Nice rod. :thumbup:

There are so many nice reels to choose from in that price range. Even in the $200.00-$300.00 there are lots of good reels.
I have a Lampson Litespeed (killer drag) and a Kamloops MC Arbour for my 8 wt outfits.

 

[woody]

So as a newbie to fly fishing I know absolutely nothing about fly reels, what's the deal with the Hardy, why aren't they some peoples 'cup of tea' what makes them different from other reels? also what should I be looking for in a fly reel when shopping? the number of choices is staggering and confusing, I'm willing to spend a few bucks (300-500) because as I've learned with most things I've purchased, buying entry level usually means I will soon be looking to move up so why not just do it right to start with. There must be a few 'go to' brands that most people can think of off the top of there heads in this price range so that I can narrow my search parameters a little, let's say the top three or four. I appreciate any help you guys or girls can give, I'm dying to get a reel on this thing and start 'chuckin' feathers', oh buy the way I will be taking some lessons from Dave at M&Y in Surrey to get started as soon as I can get this rod loaded up.

 

[stone]

Woody: A Hardy reel, speaking about the vintage ones made in England, not the Korean made ones, represents history and heritage more than anything else. People who buy old Hardy reels are much like the same people who buy collectible cars or motorcycles...sure there are much more technologically advanced products that do the same thing much better, but the originals represent a piece of history and owning one is an experience in itself. I also love the sound that a click and pawl Hardy reel makes when a hot fish takes off with your fly.

Off the top of my head, the "top 3" reels I would consider in that price range would include the Bauer Super Lite 4, the Ross Reels Momentum, and the Islander FR2. The Lamson Velocity 3.5 would come in a close 4th. I would assume that your rod being an 8wt, some of the more important considerations for a matching reel would be a powerful and consistent drag system, corrosion resistance, and line capacity. In a quality reel, tight tolerances and strength from a machined barstock aluminum construction are a given. I owned a Bauer M4SL in the past, and I would buy one again.

My 2 cents.

 

[Flyfishin Magician]

Nice rod! The SLT is one of my favorite series that Sage produces. :thumbup:

As far a reel in that price range, there's several that would fit the bill. Bauer Mackenzie Super Lite M4SL. Nautilus Reels puts out a nice product. Ross Big Game 4. Islander Reel. There's so many... ;D

My 8wt has a 3.75" Hardy Bougle Mk 4 on it, and I just picked up a Gem MK II for the 9140 and to fish the salt...but Hardy is not everyone's cup of tea. I love them, though.

I second that! I've got the SLT 590 and it's my favorite trout rod hands down! I've got a Hardy LRH Lightweight that goes with it and they look "stunning" together. As for Hardy reels - it's more of a "classic" look and feel for me. I personally like the old Marquis - Stone, I know you've got a Marquis that you use for trout - isn't that right? I've got an old Marquis #7 that I've "retired" - but it still works great. I now use the Ultralight disc and Ultralight Disc Large Arbor for my salmon/steelhead rods. These are very smooth running reels that have never given me a problem on the water. Unfortunately, Hardy discontinued these models. Not sure about the current Hardy reel line. I agree that it's not everyone's cup of tea - but I love them too! :thumbup:

 

[woody]

Wanted to bring this thread back up as I know a lot of you were gone for the fishout at Rosche lake. I know there has to be some strong opinions on reels out there, just to recap: newbe looking for a reel to go with my new sage slt 8wt in the $300-$500 range I would like to hear your top three picks and would also like to hear opinions on standard versus large arbor. Trying to make a reasonably informed decision on this new purchase help a newbe out!!

 

[woody]

bump

 

[HOOK]

I would pair it with a Sage large arbour reel. I bought one for my 8wt single hander for salmon fishing. reel works great and can stop a chum dead in its tracks :thumbup: :thumbup: I bought the lower end model :cheers: but for $110 how can you beat it and with that lifetime warranty :thumbup:

 

[stone]

Woody: One of the biggest benefit of having a large arbor reel is drag consistency when a fish takes a long hard run. As the line is peeled off the reel, the large arbor reel will not have as dramatic a change in the diameter of its arbor as a standard arbor reel will. Because the mechanical advantage, which in the case of the reel directly relates to the diameter of its arbor, remains more consistent as this diameter changes less than in the standard arbor reel, therefore drag pressure also remains more consistent.

It's important to note that the aspect ratio of the reel is somewhat critical to its performance. If the reel spool is too wide and narrow, your line will tend to stack up as you retrieve it if you don't guide it back and forth with your finger. If the reel spool is too narrow and deep, the arbor diameter will change too much as line is peeled off and you lose the benefit of a large arbor reel. I have found that Ross Reels are particularly good in maintaining this balance of "not too wide and not too deep".

Wikipedia:

In physics and engineering, mechanical advantage (MA) is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies the force put into it. Following are simple machines where the mechanical advantage is calculated.
(snip)
Wheel and axle notion (e.g. Screwdrivers, doorknobs): A wheel is essentially a lever with one arm the distance between the axle and the outer point of the wheel, and the other the radius of the axle. Typically this is a fairly large difference, leading to a proportionately large mechanical advantage. This allows even simple wheels with wooden axles running in wooden blocks to still turn freely, because their friction is overwhelmed by the rotational force of the wheel multiplied by the mechanical advantage.

Since your rod is an 8wt, pressumably you will be using it to target larger species like our Pacific salmon and steelhead. These harder fighting fish deserve a quality reel with tight tolerances, a powerful disk drag, and a large arbor. If backing capacity becomes an issue, you can always use a superbraid material similar to Fireline or gel spun backing. I did this exact same thing with my Bauer Mackenzie Superlite M4SL when I loaded it with a RIO 8wt Versitip.

:2cents:

 

[fullahead]

Stone
What is your opinion of the Islander LX 3.6 large arbor reel, for using on the Vedder when target larger species like our Pacific salmon and steelhead. As I have the reel already but want to buy the best rod for it. I am trying to make the same decision Wood is.

 

[stone]

Fullahead: The LX is a great reel. It's well built, and more than tough enough for the ocean if you want to take it there. The large surface cork disk drag has been the standard for big game fishing for a while now. If you have one of these, then you have a great 8-9wt reel that is more than a match for any salmon or steelhead at the end of your line. :cheers:

 

[woody]

Thanks for the info guys the more input I get the better informed decision I can make so all input is much appreciated. I will be targeting bigger fish with this rod of course so it looks like a large arbor reel is definitely the way to go and it sounds like the cork drag is the drag system I should be looking for though I also heard there was a carbon fiber drag as well any opinions on the best drag system?

 

[fullahead]

Thanks Stone, now I will buy the Fly Rod.

 

[stone]

Thanks for the info guys the more input I get the better informed decision I can make so all input is much appreciated. I will be targeting bigger fish with this rod of course so it looks like a large arbor reel is definitely the way to go and it sounds like the cork drag is the drag system I should be looking for though I also heard there was a carbon fiber drag as well any opinions on the best drag system?

Woody: A good cork disk drag with a large surface area and a wide adjustment range, such as those found on Islander and Abel reels, will be powerful and silky smooth. They do, however, need regular maintenance to keep them working well. I noticed that on my Bauer reels, if I neglected to oil the cork drag pad, or oiled it too much, the drag would occassionaly "skip" (momentary freespool). This was not a good thing, especially when it happens when you are fighting a large fish...it makes a mess of your spool.

I just bought a new Hardy Gem Mk II 9/10 for my 9140, and I think this reel has a carbon fiber drag pad. I'll let you know what I think when I get to try it...but it's supposed to be powerful and smooth, and maintenance free.

Fullahead...you're welcome.

 

[xgolfman]

I think an 8wt is not enough for salmon...I have seen quite a few broken by chums...and if your thinking of going bigger fish???

Stealhead would be fine on it but to be honest...OK i'm biased..I'd use a spey over a single hand anyday....

As for a reel, you do need one with a good drag, the islanders are for some reason more expensive then the abel's or tibors which are the top cork drag reels and IMHO a better reel period...especially the tibors...I have hooked quite a few fresh chums that took all of my 9wts jam to handle..and matched with at that time an abel super 8..wow..that drag was smooth and flawless..( i like the tibors better as their finish can take a much better beating then the abels)

If your looking for a sealed drag which is maintenance free and in that price range, lamsons and the ross momentum are great reels with good drags...

 

[woody]

Took a look at the tibors on line, beautiful reel but with prices starting at $650 for the 8wt a little out of the $300-$500 range I was looking for. Looks like the abels are up there as well.

 

[stone]

I think an 8wt is not enough for salmon...I have seen quite a few broken by chums...and if your thinking of going bigger fish???

Not all 8wts are created equal. My cousin has used my 8wt Winston XTR on the Kenai in Alaska, and he told me he accidentally foul-hooked a large spring and it bolted to current. He horsed it back in with my rod and managed to get his fly back. Bent the rod right down to the cork, and other anglers watching were betting on when it would break...but it never did. The boron fibers in the butt section make the rod exceptionally light and strong. I wouldn't have any hesitation playing any size salmon on it any time.

 

[HOOK]

i have taken 30-35 lb whites on my Dragonfly 8wt and horsed them pretty good :thumbup: still looking to upgrade to a 10foot over the 9foot :thumbup:

 

[sarg]

Top 3 for me would be Bauer (good pricing for the quality and very smooth drag), Abel (love the look and drag is smooth), Hatch (I only own one but really love this reel).

I use Bauer almost exclusively and I have never had any problems. I stay away from the lower end Bauer's just because of weight but the drag is the same quality. With that said I do have one JM that I like to use in the salt because it is a closed back reel and I just figure less to potentially go wrong. I haven't been using my Abel and hatch reel that much but so far i have been very pleased with both.

Good videos to look at when buying your next reel. I am pretty sure our local fish don't move this fast.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h6r5Fj1CgaI