Fly Reel
 

Anyone out there willing to lend me a flyreel over the winter. I would like to build one for myself and need one to not so much copy, well I guess I will be, but to have on hand as I go about it. I am looking for a fairly decent, expensive model. I figure if I am going to build one I may as well build a good one. Not looking for a gigantic one as most of the fish will be schoolies up to 36"at the high end, I hope. I want to give the fish a fair chance. I understand the apprehension in lending something to someone you don't know. I would need it for several months as this will be done in my spare:doh:time:biglaugh:. I would definitely have it back to you by end of March and maybe much sooner if I have more time. I don't know much about them as far as drags go and such but I would like to take up some flyfishing this spring as the place I frequent is spectacular for such fishing. It would also need to be a fairly common model as I will have to purchase the drag washers for the reel. Any comments on what I should be looking for and must haves on the reel would be appreciated as I am not very schooled with flyfishing. Thanks for your time. P.

Nothing too special, but you are more then welcome to borrow it if you don't get any high end offers
a Reddington 9/10..

Call me Paul.

Paul
I have a 9/10 also u could borrow.

You should copy the Penn Internationals. :hihi:

I have a penn international 2.5 flyreel that is pretty decent you are welcome to borrow. perfect for what you want

I have a teton tioga 10 you could borrow for the off season

I've got a bunch, Paul, but the older Streamlines are a simple design that I suspect you could copy without much trouble. Very few parts.

I've got a bunch, Paul, of which the older Streamlines are a simple design that I suspect you could copy without much trouble. Very few parts.
I think the reel you'd want, however, is a Tibor (I don't own one) which was the original wide arbor, high end, indestructible saltwater reel turned out by a small machine shop.....top notch reputation. Reels have gotten lighter and fancier since, but also more fragile and more complicated with sealed drags etc.

Thank you guys for all the responses. I may actually like to get a couple reels so maybe to take the best things out of each. I also need to learn about how they work. I am in no way a fly fishing guy. I have only casted a fly rod a few times. I have always wanted to try and make one and I think this is the year. Any opinions on what size rod and reel I should try for. I don't want anything too big but don't want to go too small. My friend has a set up that seems too small and wonder what he would do if he ever caught a 20 plus lb fish. Small schoolies it is fine for. Most of the fish I would be targeting would probably be schoolies, small keepers, and some day maybe a 36" fish.:biglaugh: I want to be able to have fun with the set up. I am off to the fly shop down the street to look at some of the reels and pick his brain. I will get back to you guys when I decide which way I am going to go. Thanks again. You guys are the best. P.

My eight weight set ups have all taken fish up to and including a 32 pounder. I fear a big false Albacore more than a forty pounder on the fly. This years biggest was 23 pounds on the flats of the you know what bar at you know where harbor in June. A 12 pound Albie will smoke a bass anyday as far as fight and run goes.

Paul, Caught many decent bass to 25 lbs and a 20 lb bluefin on my 9 wt rod.

Albies and Footballs will crush an 8 wt. Footballs even a 12 wt can get crushed, not in my hands tho.

I have a Fin Nor that if you saw it you would have to machine it

i also have a fin nor and agree with chris.

If you're fishing the open surf make a 10-11 foot rod in the 9-10 wt category that loads easily (I currently use a 10.5' St Croix 9wt or a 10' 8wt GLX). From rocks I use a 9' 10wt. For out flows and salt ponds I go to a 9' 7wt (The 7wt has taken my biggest fly fish 44"). The only reels I own are Teton originals (not Tiogas) in an 8 and a 9/10. I've had them since 1995 with 0 down time and the only maintenance is WD40.

Go with an 8 weight and stay away from tuna (Albies it will handle no sweat).

Fly reels
 

There was a guy in the Bear's Den several years ago who was promoting a fly reel he had designed from top of the line primo metal. It was a thing of beauty. A contest was held for one of the first made. I dont know who won. I didn't. Anyway this guy, a machinist/mech design engineer made this reel and it was gorgeous. I was always jealous of the ability to create that reel. So go for it.