Fly reel help?

A little background. I have been fly fishing for 3 years or so (20+ times a year). Up until now i have been using a second hand sage/SA system 2. I love the combo! Recently, i did a ton of research and built myself a mighty sexy rod (rainshadow kit from hook and hackle). Anyway, to round this puppy off i am looking for a new/used reel (4wt) but am in the initial research phase. I am not looking to spend more than $125 or so and would like something fairly dependable/attractive (attractiveness come second obviously-- but it is the first rod i built and it is darn pretty too). It obviously doesn't have to be super burly being its a 4wt and i will not be using it for salt water. What do you guys got for me? Any advice on brands/online stores/etc? Too many choices are currently hurting my brain. Thanks for any and all advice!

ross is a good bet or maybe even something from SA.
ive had a nice galvan for a while that I love but it might be a bit more than you want to spend ... i think it was 185 a few years back.

I think kaufmans streamborn has a nice website, maybe do a search.
They're retail prices but at least you can get good info\specs. Nice mail catalog too.

edit: since schwerty just posted the link, Ive got the Open Back model. Cant remember if its the 1 or the 2, but its on a sage 4wt 8'6 3 peice vps-light. super incredibly awesome and nice drag. i usually try to fight the fish off the reel just to get to feel how nice it is.

Congrats on the rod!

There are a ton of great reels out there..... If you can cough up another
$50 - $75 you will get a better machined reel.
Check out the Ross Cimmaron and the Galvan Standard. Both are excellent reels for the price. I think they fish almost as well as most reels in the $350 category. The Cimmaron has a bit of a noisy drag while the Galvan is much quieter.
Check out a local Galvan dealer or find one online, (http://www.mrfc.com is a good source). I THINK they are replacing a couple models this year = disounts on the old ones.

If the Ross is what you're looking for, I'd get the #2, (line wt. 4-6).

Links:
http://www.galvanflyreels.com/standard.html
http://www.rossreels.com/products/cimarron/cimarron.cfm

keep in mind that with a 4wt you probably wont be going after the big daddies. not to say you will never hook into one, but on a small rod like that the reel is basically a line holder. a hand made rod deserves a nice reel, but it wont be all that necessary for fighting fish.

and sierra trading post often has good priced closeouts on reels
like this one

i like to have a spare spool since i usually like to carry both a floating line and a sinking line. but on a smaller rod like that one i would use a removable sinking head instead. so you may or may not want the spare spool.

Check out the Lamson Radius as mentioned above the drag on a 4wt. is not a real big issue. However you also want the best bang for your buck. The Radius offers the same zero lash Torrington drag that is featured on the high end Lamson/Waterworks reels for a very reasonable price. Check on egay, lamsons have been selling for a very good price the last couple of months. I have been using the V2, LS2 and P2 for the past few years and they have performed very well, CHEERS!!

I know there are a lot of anti orvis people on here, but the battenkill small arbor is a good deal on a pretty stout reel. They can be had from about $89 on up. if you have a few more $$$'s to spend, try the large arbor battenkill. i have had one for 6 years now and i really like the weight and balance it has.

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Originally Posted by dk_alaskan

I know there are a lot of anti orvis people on here, but the battenkill small arbor is a good deal on a pretty stout reel. They can be had from about $89 on up. if you have a few more $$$'s to spend, try the large arbor battenkill. i have had one for 6 years now and i really like the weight and balance it has.

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I was just going to say the EXACT same thing. I have one and I love it.

Third for the orvis battenkill. I think they just can out with a nicely machined mid arbor though.

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Originally Posted by mac19

Check out the Lamson Radius as mentioned above the drag on a 4wt. is not a real big issue. However you also want the best bang for your buck. The Radius offers the same zero lash Torrington drag that is featured on the high end Lamson/Waterworks reels for a very reasonable price. Check on egay, lamsons have been selling for a very good price the last couple of months. I have been using the V2, LS2 and P2 for the past few years and they have performed very well, CHEERS!!

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I second the Lamson's. Good reel for the money and I have used the V2 and Litespeed. You get most of the bang with the Radius and it can be found cheap if you buy last year's model.

What about this: http://www.diamondbrand.com/cgi-bin/...product/160216

It looks like an awesome deal but the store seems a little sketchy? Anyone have any experience with them??

Heard of em, no experience though.

I personally have the Ross and a pre-asia build Orvis. Both are bulletproof. I guide and if the client is a new angler, or seems accident prone at the truck, I usually give them the Ross, they just seem to handle drops a little better. I have only second hand knowledge on Orvis reels since they moved the production to Asia a little over a year ago and what I've heard is they are just fine. For personal future purposes I'll more than likely stick with Ross with all things being equal, they are built in Colorado. I had a service issue with another Ross reel, a discontinued Colorado, and they sent me the part for free, including shipping, along with a note apologizing for the parts failure. This reel has gone through hell and back, it's on my 7 foot 3wt that I crash through the underbrush with and has been banged around, dropped, you name it. They keep honoring their guarantee and I was very impressed. Never had a warrenty issue with Orvis but I understand they do a great job as well.

Lastly, I would also look at St. Croix's reels. They are machined and build in England (see Hardy) and I have used them on demo stuff from time to time and have been very impressed. I use their rods exclusively and have had great experience with their customer service, warrently, etc. I would assume their reels are in the same boat. Their higher end reel isn't in your price point but they have a couple options that might fit your bill.

Good Luck,
Jay

I have a cabelas CSR and like it pretty good and if all else fails go with the $20 pfueger medalist.

I bought a G. Loomis Venture Fly Reel this spring, on someones recommendation from here, seems to work pretty well and looks pretty nice for the money I think:

http://www.flyfishusa.com/reels/g-lo...ture-front.jpg

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Originally Posted by ak_powder_monkey

Iif all else fails go with the $20 pfueger medalist.

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I second this. I know quite a few people back in Alaska who swear by Pflueger reels because they are inexpensive and built to take a beating and keep on fishing just like the day they were first bought. If you are looking for the most bang for your buck and don't want anything fancy at all, this is a very good option.

A machined reel with a high tech drag is just a waste on a 4wt. A reel for a 4wt. is nothing more than a line holder. Get something lightweight to match the light rod. Save some cash for beer and tying material/flies.

I ended up going with the Ross Cimmaron. I know it is probably overkill... but this is the first rod i built (and it is sexy as hell) so the combo may end up on a wall some day. Thanks everyone for all your help!

Well here it is (the pic doesn't do it justice). It is a 4wt Rainshadow (bought from hook and hackle) rod and the ross reel. Balance is perfect! Can't wait to try it out.

http://www.telemarktips.com/Photopost/data/500/1000.jpg

Also, i felt the need to break it in with a beer. So i cracked open a bottle of my home brewed imperial stout. It has only been in the bottle for a couple days (hence the lack of head) but it was pretty incredible tasting as well.

Lookin Good, TM!!! You'll be happy with the Ross.

which Rainshadow blank?

The first one on this page

IM6. nice rod.

The reward comes with your first fish. :D

Now go tie some flies so you can really seal the deal. :the_finge