Need some reel help - 4wt Click and Pawl

[gretch6364]

Collective,

I was hoping someone could help me with picking a new reel. It is for my Scott G2 8'8" 4wt. The rod is 2.7 oz....so it is pretty darn light. I currently have a Hatch 3+ on it, which feels a little heavy for my liking. It is a great reel and has not seen many days on the water, but feels a little large and heavy for this rod.

I have a click and pawl on my Scott fiberglass 3wt that I really enjoy fishing. The rod does not have the backbone to turn a larger fish, which it is obviously not intended for, but due to lending out my other rods, I had to fish it one day last summer on the South Platte. I hooked into some pretty large fish and really enjoyed playing them with that reel and hearing it sing.

I want some of this soul for on my 4wt. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts on a good click and pawl reel for it? I do have a couple questions about it as well.

- is it true that the click and pawl reels don't start up as smoothly and you can loose some fish on fine tippets?

- should I keep the Hatch for these occations or when I am going to get into some very large trout, or do I sell it cheap to a mag to finance the new reel?

Current reels up for consideration are an Able Trout 2; Red Truck Diesel/Leland Classic Spring Creek. The thing that concerns me about the Red Truck/Leland is it is the same size as their Emerger model, which is what I have on the three weight and it seems like it would be hard to get sufficient backing and the line as it is really small...so I am leaning toward the Abel, but am open to any suggestions.

Am I wrong to want to fish this old style reel when I am targeting trout in the 18" to 22" range?

Thank you...can't wait to go fishing...January snow has sucked in the Front Range!

[gretch6364]

I think I am going to go with this guy:

http://www.redtruckflyfishing.com/fl...creek_fly_reel

I spoke with Keith at Red Truck, and he said this and the diesel hold more line then the Emerger. Anyone interested in my Hatch with a 4wt grey sharkskin? It has one little scratch in it, which I will post...probably used less then ten times. $275?

[BS720]

Make sure you can return it. I played with some of the Red Truck reels at Leland on Sunday. Drag seems kind of weak. Or, maybe that was just the one I played with. My dad had the Hardy reel you asked about in the 4000. Very, very impressive reel for the coin. I'm interested in your Hatch when I get back in the country. Been wanting to set up something in the 3-4 range.

Maybe just an idea, can you play with a Hardy before you buy the Leland?

[Underoos]

I played with some of the Red Truck reels at Leland on Sunday. Drag seems kind of weak.

I think that's kind of the point here.



Gretch, don't get hung up on backing capacity. Do you get into your backing regularly while trout fishing? I would think not. I don't think I've seen mine in a few years (trout fishing, mind).

Don't be afraid of a reel that's a little too small, but just a little. If it balances reasonably well, go for it. I prefer my trout reels on the small side, for example on my 4wts the biggest reel that I fish is a Lamson LP 1.

[gretch6364]

Thanks for the info. I have no ability to try them out, but I think you can return any unused item. I would like a decent drag if possible...as in it will last and not break, and one of the reasons I liked the Red Truck more then the Abel was that you can adjust the drag externally. Do you have any idea which onese you tried out?

This is the Emerger, click and pawl drag...it is only 3/4 and is what I have on my 3wt...the drag is weak as you stated...but for $50 bucks, it works great and who really needs a drag on a fiberglass 3wt?



This is a Red Truck Diesel in 3/4 wt, also a click and pawl design:


Lastly, the Leland version of the Diesel, which is what I would be getting in the 3/4:


They also do a retro reel, but I am not looking at that one. I obviously don't expect a Click and Pawl reel to have a super strong drag...just need enough to keep the line from becoming a nest and put a little bit of pressure on the fish...I figure I would be palming any big fish...which I am sure I will hook into, as I use my 4wt a lot....or at least hope I continue to :-)

[gretch6364]

Underoo,

Thanks for the input...yeah I saw my backing trout fishing about 3 years ago fishing 7x on the S. Platte in Cheeseman with a size 24 hook...can't remember any other times, and that fish got away. It was more the line getting caught in the guards as it loosens up...I don't always get it back on there perfectly distributed.

Red Truck did say the Diesel/Classic trout series holds more...I would love a small reel on this rod...it is so damn light...I want just about parallel when I hold it naturally to follow the fly...may tipped up an inch or two.

I thikn the brass looks sweet and would be nice with the unsanded Scott.

[snapt]

Here's some food for thought on Leland's/Red Truck
http://www.sonomanews.com/News-2012/...order-dispute/
http://www.lelandpondfacts.com/

A hardy princess would be much classier anyhow, or if you like a more modern look the Ultralight CC is a modern click at a great price and is super light. The Sage Click is sweet too, and the Redington Drift is an awesome little clicker for $100.

[gretch6364]

I actually liked more of the classic look. This may be a really stupid question, but how would one palm the Hardy featherweight?

[snapt]

Stick your finger on or inside the spool, pretty easy. I use St. Aidans on smaller speys and it works fine for big fish.

[gretch6364]

yeah...I am not sure I like that. Do you think the Sage Click and the Hardy Ultralight CC are going to have any durability issues with their drag mechanism?

[BS720]

I played with all of those reels. Sizes I think were mostly five weight and up. Yeah, I may have made a slight mistake comparing them to the Loop that was also on the table.

I was honestly surprised at how big the ultralite reel is in 4000. Something I would probably buy at the upper end of the size description(ie, 456, use on a 6wt, 234, use on a 4wt). My dad has had no problems with his, but he's only used it maybe six times.

[snapt]

Also, Orvis has redone the battenkill series for this spring and they are uber sexy. Fully machined with a clicker and super classy elegant. Less than $100 and I think they are nicer than the Hardy or Redtruck offerings. L8px can chime in on when they'll be available and maybe even share a pic.

[gretch6364]

I would def like to see the new Orvis reels.

Anyone here use any of the Orvis fly lines? I have used their leaders and tippet in the past...wonder how their lines are.

I am leaning toward the Sage Click III. They finally are making them in black instead of just that copper color they love. The thing only weighs 2.5oz....how much does a 4wt trout line and alittle backing weigh?

[snapt]

New Orvis lines = SA. I prefer the RIO trout LT greatly to any of their offerings for something like a G series.

[gretch6364]

New Orvis lines = SA. I prefer the RIO trout LT greatly to any of their offerings for something like a G series.

Thanks...I have that line on my 3wt and really like it. What is the difference between that line and the Rio Gold? I am guessing a thinner profile. Scott suggest the Rio Gold on their site...I can't imagine the LT would have any issue loading the G2 though and would land softer.

[snapt]

LT has a bit longer and more progressive front taper, lands softer when pitching dries, but can also be roll cast like crazy. Handles small nymph rigs pretty well too. True to weight.
The gold has a shorter front taper, a bit more blunt so it can handle bigger nymph rigs and junk easier. Also just a tad over weighted. If you can cast then the LT will be tits on that G. Gold will be good if you need a little more mass to help you if you're not the best caster.

[gretch6364]

Thanks....I am going to go with the Trout LT...you got me convinced. I just want to go fishing now!

Sorry to be a pain...but DT or WF?

[snapt]

No worries, I like the WF. Benefits of a weight forward but still roll casts nice and picks up at distance similarly to a DT.

[L8APX]

Thanks for the kind review snapt. The reel will be out in april and will retail for around $100. All bar stock machined goodness. The only plastic on it is the handle. Super clean internaly adjustable click n paw drag. Comes in black nickel finish. I'll post a picture next week when im back in the office.

[steved]

No worries, I like the WF. Benefits of a weight forward but still roll casts nice and picks up at distance similarly to a DT.

Plus more room for backing on the reel....

[Rico in Flag]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall the older Hardy English-made Orvis CFO's used to be click and pawl. I just looked at there web page, and the new CFO's have gone disc drag. If I'm correct in my recollection, I'd be looking for an older one on eBay.
Always thought the old CFO's were a decent reel.
And there's a new limited edition CFO that is a click and pawl, and is English made by Hardy I presume, but it's $695. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gretch6364]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall the older Hardy English-made Orvis CFO's used to be click and pawl. I just looked at there web page, and the new CFO's have gone disc drag. If I'm correct in my recollection, I'd be looking for an older one on eBay.
Always thought the old CFO's were a decent reel.
And there's a new limited edition CFO that is a click and pawl, and is English made by Hardy I presume, but it's $695. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out L8s post above...new one coming out...$100, click pawl

[steved]

Yeah ricorides...the earlier(pre-discdrag) Orvis version of Hardy's C&P = great reel... a nice light click setting available for lighter tippets.
One of Sage's newer reels is a good one...~3(something) size/model(s)..?(totally forgot model #) But just right weight-wise.

[gretch6364]

BS720, I sent you a PM on the Hatch...if you can let me know today that would be great, so that if you don't want it, I can get it listed on ebay.

Thanks

[L8APX]

Here is a pic of one of the battenkill prototypes as promissed