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Fly fishermen going after small stream trout or pan fish can use almost any reel to simply serve as device to store their line. However if you are going for powerful fish like pike, steelhead or salmon, having a reel with a smooth drag and is capable of quickly taking up line are a must have quality in your fly reel, having a reel that is well balanced and light weight is also important to the fly fishermen who spends all day on the river. Keep in mind that if you are after these qualities you are going to have to shell out more of your hard earned cash but you will be glad you did if like me you spend most of your day casting and fighting the powerful steelhead and salmon.

When looking for a trout or pan fish fly reel I look at weight and balance more then any other quality. One trick I use instead of having to take a fly rod with me to assure the reel is balanced is I will wrap pencil lead around the reel seat until the rod will balance at the grip point of the rod and then I just weigh the lead and I know how heavy of a reel I can use.

Now when it comes to picking out a fly reel that I will be using for salmon and steelhead I want to make sure the drag has a full range of adjustment, and works smooth. You’ll want a reel that can keep up with the fish should they suddenly make a run at you as well as being able to hold enough backing when they decide to head down stream on one of their powerful runs as well. Once you find a fly reel with these qualities you can start looking at the weight and keep in mind what weight fly line you will be using as well remember your fly line weight needs to match the weight your fly rod is designed for. Finding a reel with these qualities is the most important part. You can always balance the rod and reel by adding weight to you rod. Balance is the key more then weight as a light rod and reel that is not well balanced will tire you out faster then a heavier setup which is well balanced.

One thing that I have noticed is that the true diehard fly fisherman is always asking is which rod reel combination do you prefer and I have to save after using several different setups that it is one that is well balanced. I truly have no preference as to the make and model as long as it feels right.

I have listed a few of the fly reels that I have tried over the years just as a starting point for you, which one is best is something that you will decide as you determine your needs and type of fish you are after. (They are in no special order or preference.)

Pflueger 1195 Automatic

Because of its ease of use and convenience, Pflueger’s Model 1195 Automatic Reel has been a common fly reel for many trout anglers. It has an aluminum alloy frame which features a lever controlled internal coil spring. As the angler presses on the lever the reel automatically winds in the line. It’s rather heavy though weighing in at 9 ounces, but you’ll like its affordability.

Scientific Anglers Concept 2

There are four Concept 2 fly reels and they normally range in price from $35 up to $56. They are made from light, tough, composite polymer graphite and feature a quality disc drag system. Sizes range from trout/pan fish to saltwater game fish. The Model 58s built for heavy fresh and light saltwater fishing and has an exposed spool for palming strong fish into giving in. Amazingly it weighs in at just 4.3 ounces.

Cabela’s XSS

The XSS stand for “Extreme Saltwater and Spey,” These are made for the larger game fish and they too have it all from the large line capacity to their oversize paddle handle and graphite, cork and Rulon disc drag. The reel was designed for anglers who target big, fast game fish. The Size 1 is the smallest of the three, and handles 7 and 8 weight lines and 225 yards of 20-pound backing this fly reel is capable of handling most salmon and steelhead and will run you about $175.00.

Orvis Battenkill Disc Drag

Many fly anglers are familiar with the Battenkill made by Orvis’ and is one of their best-selling fly reels. It is available in three models ranging in price from $79 to $89. It is machined from cast aluminum, the reel features large disc drags and exposed rims for palming. The smallest reel handles line weights from 2 through 5 and weighs just 4 ounces. The largest in this model only weighs 5 ounces and handles 6- to 9-weight line.

G. Loomis Venture

Made with the quality you’d expect from G. Loomis, the three fly reels in the Venture

line are machined from cast aluminum to be tough, yet lightweight. These reels are a simple, classic design, but have quality features. The Model 7 selling at around $100 is the largest of the group, and weighs a mere 3.4 ounces; it handles the 7 weight line with about 150 yards of 30-pound backing.

Sage 2500 Series

Sage, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of premium fly rods, also makes outstanding reels. The four in its 2500 line ranging in price from $300 to $375 are more then capable of handling any fish you will be going after. With a large-diameter spool for fast line retrieval and the offset 3:1 gear reduction disc drag it is very responsive to the tiniest adjustment and would make for a good choice for the serious fly fisherman.

Well these are a few of the reels that I have used over the last few years some I own some I have used and some I wish that I had but just how many fly reels can you use at one time anyways. I hope you have a better idea as to what you need to be looking for in your fly reel and it helps in your decision making. As always good luck and good fly fishing.

RR Smith

Affordable Fly Fishing Reels

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Orvis Shooting Star 149-4
 
Want an excellent mid-priced range Steelhead and Salmon Rod take a look at all the features and benefits of the of the Shooting Star 149-4 from Orvis the renowned makers of quality fly rods.

The new Shooting Star Premium fly rods are some of the lightest made today and perhaps the lightest in their price range. Orvis has made sure this fly rod is balanced which for a salmon and steelhead rod is of the utmost importance. After being on the river all day you will come to appreciate this detail. They have a smooth progressive action which makes them a dream to use. Orvis has designed these rods from the input they received from some renowned Scandinavian fly fisherman who have been using shooting heads for years.

The 149-4 Shooting Star was extensively tested using the spey lines, and their performance was outstanding. The rods were capable of long controlled cast with the least amount of effort. These two handed fly rods will allow you to cast with little room for a full back cast to distant seams that other anglers just can not reach. You know where these seams are and have probably been thinking for years if only I could get my fly over to that seam I know I would hook that trophy fish which is hiding there.

For the last several years there as been a steady increase in the number of salmon and steelhead anglers switching to the two handed fly rod. With the advancements made in the last two years improved design for the two handed technique, now is the perfect time to pick one up for your self. Stop whishing you could make longer cast and start making them with this newly designed Salmon and Steelhead fly rod. Switching over to a two handed rod has never been easier withal the improvement incorporated in the newly designed Shooting Star models.

So if you are tired of wanting to be able to cover those impossible to reach seams, and you want a truly well balanced, well designed two handed fly rod now is the time to get yours. The Shooting Star 149-4 model is an excellent choice you will be making longer, effortless cast, have the control and balance you need, and have a Fly Rod that was specially design to handle the extremely large and often aggrieve fish.

The Zero Gravity Salt/Freshwater 107-4 from Orvis is going to introduce you to a new level of performance it has more feedback which makes casting and presentations easier. It is up to 25% more durable then comparative models helping you protect your investment. The 107-4 Fly Rod is craft by hand by some of the best rod builders today.

  The 107-4 fly rod is one of the lightest yet most powerful fly rod you have ever used being constructed from a special material called boron, a pure carbon scrim system and thermoplastic-toughened resins. They have designed a new system giving the ferrules a seamless joint which have been strengthened to prevent checking and cracking. The makers of this rod give it three coats of finish and a final coat of a specially formulated UV Ray blocker. 

The reel seat and hardware are made from 6061 Anodized aluminum with a Texalium fiber insert the guide are made from Titanium carbide so they will stand up to years of fight those heavy fish, it also has a silicon carbide stripping guide which will help in protecting your fly line. This rod even comes with a protective aluminum fly rod tube and sock to protect it when traveling.

The makers of the 107-4 Zero Gravity Rod have a 25 year guarantee to either repair or replace the rod should any thing happen to go wrong however I feel this will be very unlikely do to the quality of workmanship that goes into these Fly Rods.

If you are looking for a Salmon and Steelhead fly rod that will allow you to make loner cast, gives you control of your presentation and has the strength and endurance to fight these mighty fish it will be well worth your hard earned money to purchase the Zero Gravity 107-4 Fly Rod.

Ideal Steelhead and Salmon Combo

With Steelhead season picking up and Salmon season just around the corner I decided it was time to pick up a new fishing rod and reel. I found an excellent setup with the Penn SV6000 Spinning Reel & Rod Combo. This Rod and reel combo package has it all, it is well balance has a large spool and the drag system is one of the smoothest that I have used.

The SV6000 Spinning Reel & Rod Combo by: Penn Offers the best performance at a very affordable price. The SV6000 reel is equipped with a large spool making it a great choice if you will be making those longer casts. It also has a very light weight graphite frame making it one of the lightest in its class. It gives you a smooth operating system and is ready and capable of good hook-sets. The spinning rotor is balance and there is no rotor wobble in this spinning reel.

The Pen SV6000 has excellent line capacity too capable of hold the following:

• Line Capacity: 270-yds of 10-lb test
• Line Capacity: 250-yds of 12-lb test
• Line Capacity: 270+ -yds of 6-lb test
• Line Capacity: 225-yds of 16-lb test
• Line Capacity: 200-yds of 20-lb test

The SV6000 combo comes with a rod that is equally amazing for its price, This rod is made with a matte black blank and has silver wrapping on the guides and ferrules has a cork butt and fore grips, a graphite reel seat, Stainless steel hoods ,and aluminum oxide guides for long lasting dependability.   

This combo package will make a great steelhead and salmon rod for years to come. It is not over sized is well balanced and extremely light for a steelhead and salmon rod. If you too are looking at buying a new rod and reel for the upcoming season I defiantly recommend the Penn SV6000 Combo package.

By: RR Smith

By Arindam Chattopadhyaya 

If you are a die hard fishing enthusiast, chances are that you have heard of the Bamboo Fishing rods. These distinctive rods are more like antiques today, with most of them having been used in the days before the advent of the modern fishing rods. Recently, there has been an increasing trend to collect and restore these classic rods. This particular hobby is on the rise among lovers of the fishing sport and those interested in fishing equipment and accessories. Fishing gear shows normally have lovingly restored traditional fishing rods being sold to the tune of $600 and even more.

So, you can imagine the antique value of these rods! The old bamboo rod belonging to your grandfather is therefore not junk anymore. Take it out from the attic or the closet and set about restoring it- for the love of it or the money involved. This new passion is not just an extension of the craze about antiques. Instead it has come forth after the growing realization of the actual usefulness and flexibility of the bamboo fishing rod. Identifying genuine antique bamboo rods is another matter, however.

There are different ways to do this. If you are really interested, you can research on the internet. A number of websites are dedicated towards giving more information about classic bamboo rods and other old fishing rods. They will tell you how to identify these and also provide tips on their restoration. Some websites may also have information about certain books associated with the hobby of restoring classic pieces of fishing rods. However, these will be few and far in between just like the topic of their discussion, the bamboo fishing rods. Still if you manage to chance on a couple, think carefully and then purchase for they are most likely not easy on the pocket.
Other than the websites, you can use the internet for searching groups and associations that are committed towards disseminating education about these classic fishing rods, more specifically, about how to identify them. You can get in touch with them and they surely will be enthusiastic to help. This way you can swap notes by getting in touch with others who share the same hobby. This is the best way to pass information back and forth and also keep a record at the same time. This helps by putting all the original existing bamboo fishing rods on records for posterity.

Identification might be more difficult that what you think because manufacture of bamboo rods has been revived owing to their popularity. Many of these resemble the features and designs of the antiques. So, without an expert eye or opinion, it has become increasingly difficult to identify those which are authentic. A replica can be easily mistaken for a classic. One way to make out if a fishing rod is genuine vintage or not is to check out parts of the rod other than bamboo. The genuine rods will have parts made out of materials that were not obtainable till recently.
The age or worth not withstanding, bamboo rods are just one more reason for the enthusiasts to indulge in fishing more often.

Author is professional angler and running charter service for more than 10 years in Goa. He published several books on boating and fishing. He recently published an informative article on freshwater fishing equipment at his website http://www.fishingletsgo.com Download FREE report on fishing to get his secret tips on fresh water fishing.

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