Popular Mechanics magazine – the same mokes who promised us personal hovercraft, “smart” houses and unlimited fusion power when we were kids – do for fly fishing gear what they did for personal transportation, which is to say they got it mostly wrong when they picked the “Best” and “Most Affordable” fly fishing gear.
The Underground would never suggest PM would pick a product based on anything but kickbacks quantitative data, but we gotta ask: do novice freshwater anglers really need to pair a $150 fly rod with Sage’s $325 carbon fiber fly reel? Why?
“When fighting a fish, the reel is your most important weapon, and one thing worth splurging on. Not only did we find this carbon-fiber reel to be extremely light and durable, but dialing its drag up and down was effortless, making it easy to tire out our catches before reeling them in.”
Oh. See, we thought common sense would be an angler’s “most important weapon” when fighting freshwater fish.
We also have questions about the $65 fly line, and the photo itself (click here to see it), which seems to show the fly line coming off the top of the reel, suggesting the reel’s on the rod backwards. (No wonder Popular Mechanics could never get the H2O-powered jet engine off the ground).
Maybe I’m just being cranky but then, I’m still not seeing the shadows from all those anti-gravity backpacks flying overhead as people go to work in the morning (and yes, I believe I’ve been emotionally scarred all these years because of it).
Still, in adversity, the Underground sees opportunity.
Let’s crowdsource a little, and get it right where Popular Mechanics got it wrong:
What would be your choice for the bestest, most-affordable fly reel for the novice angler’s trout outfit – something that would work with a freshwater-weight St. Croix Imperial fly rod?
I’ve got one firmly in mind, but we’ll let the wisdom of the crowds prevail.
Leave suggestion, and you’re automatically entered in a drawing to win a copy of Steve Apple’s Fishizzle DVD – the percursor to his about-to-be-released “Hustle & Fish” DVD, which we’ll be reviewing shortly (disclosure: Apple sent me several copies of Fishizzle and I’m giving them away because I like the guy and think his work is interesting).
See you in your personal jet car, Tom Chandler.
Personally, I’m a fan or Ross Reel products. My favorite reel of all time is the pre 97 Gunnison – LOVE IT. To that note, a solid option for an affordable entry level reel would have to be the Ross FlyStart for $50 – the name says it all. Heck for $50, the warranty and customer service Ross offers is worth the price of admission alone. My 0.02…..
Jason(Quote)
Pfleuger Medalist, hands down- and not a new one. Go to ebay and pick up a vintage, American made, Medalist. It shouldn’t dent their wallet more than $30- with shipping.
40 Rivers To Freedom(Quote)
Sage’s 1650 would be very adequate, but maybe still overkill. LL Bean’s Streamlight II or a used old school Battenkill would do just fine as well.
BigCliff(Quote)
OK I bought an Ari t Hart once because the guy at the flyshop said it was in the MOMA. I love the reel would never trade it. I agree with the St.Croix But if you are putting the Sage reel on why not go with at least an Avid? Never liked Cortland ever since my 444 days. Both the Simms products are made in china I found that out when I got my new boots and 09 catalog last week my Freestones are made in the USA.
castingoutloud(Quote)
If you’re going to spend $325 and $150 on two pieces of kit, wouldn’t it be rod and reel in that order? I feel like PM has it exactly bass ackwards. I’m a total greenhorn at fly fishing (though I’ve been spinning for most of my 30 years), and I’ve landed trout approaching ten pounds with the “assistance” of an old hand-me-down reel that’s essentially dragless. If you have half a clue and a decent rod, it’s really not a big deal. Again, I’m no expert, but isn’t the rod hugely more important than the reel when it comes to fighting power and tippet protection?
I am by no means an experienced fly fisherman, but I’ll recommend the Orvis Battenkill Bar Stock or the Lamson Radius, both of which can be found for under $100 on eBay, brand new in the Lamson’s case because it’s getting discontinued despite being a really good reel. I recently purchased an Orvis Mid-Arbor III reel that I quite liked the one time I’ve fished it so far, but that’s a little bit spendier at 30 or 40 bucks more than the BBS. Still less than half of what PM would have you pay, though.
MHH(Quote)
why, a Hardy Zane Ti of course.
Ed(Quote)
As far as new gear that’s available? Easy – a Sage Fli 590 & a Lamson Konic reel. Sure you can go cheaper (though hopefully this isn’t just about the cheapest setup you can buy), but for a combo that is still in the lower mid-range that one can spend, this rod and reel will last a long time and continue to grow with the angler as their skills improve, unlike some of the cheaper combos out there that really are crap.
Smithhammer(Quote)
Here is my pick for the novice.
Item Features
Cabela’s Three Forks Fly Rod and Reel Combo with Fly Line Item number: IK-321164
ROD MODEL: 865-2/456
This item is in stock.
Price $74.99
Comes pre-spooled with weight-forward floating fly line, tapered leader and backing. This and a few caddis and some old sneakers is all you need- and you don’t even have to tap the jet pack funds.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=SEARCH_all&id=0051114321164a&navCount=3&podId=0051114&parentId=&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=&indexId=cat20457&hasJS=true
Nick(Quote)
Heck, my first reel was a Scientific Anglers System 1 456 and is still my go-to trout and bass reel. At about $50, I find it vastly superior to the FlyStart (which I also have). Not only is it all-metal and pretty bulletproof, it is still made in England. The click and pawl drag is more than enough for nearly all trout. I caught my first (17 pound) salmon with this reel and a Sage 5wt.
The FlyStart is made by Ross Worldwide (not Ross USA), I think in China. The drag is plastic and the finish is brittle.
KJE(Quote)
Hell, you guys are cheap bastards. I was thinking of the Lamson Konic ($130 new). Clearly a sign of my elevated sensibilities and (possibly) even my moral superiority.
Clearly, it’s a good day to be the Underground.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
I was going to suggest the Konic as well, but: (a) I haven’t fished it and (b) the Radius is now cheaper despite (c) being the next tier up from the Konic in Lamson’s catalogue before they replaced it with the Guru this year.
MHH(Quote)
Suspect that you’ll roll with a Lamson Konic and they do pack extremely good value for money.
My preference leans toward the unheralded graphite composite reels from Denmark imported by Echo. They appear to be unbreakable, utilize a better-than-you-deserve drag system leased from Ari Hart and, best of all, retail for $70. This means spools are about $40.
Naturally Tim Rajeff’s Echo web site no longer lists them. Yet another proof of that cosmic truth: if you like something buy a lifetime supply.
Sully(Quote)
I’m sort of with Nick and 40 Rivers.
If I was suggesting a setup for a rank beginner, I wouldn’t even go to the Imperial level. I’d suggest something like a Cabela’s Three Forks rod and a Pflueger Medalist reel. Or just get one of the Cabela’s combos, but I like the Medalist reels better than the combo reels. I’d even tell them to get one of the new Medalists if they could find one at a yard sale or on ebay for $5. I’ve got one of the new ones, and though it’s certainly inferior to my old American-made one, I’ve never had a bit of trouble out of it. I’d strongly suggest that they’d be far more stylish if they could find a vintage American one though.
But, then again, I am a really cheap piece of dirt (clearly morally inferior).
Nathan
Nathan Kennedy(Quote)
I have found that the local fly shops that are closing faster than a virgin’s legs always given me good advice in such matters. Tom at Hargroves in St. Louis told me to spend on the rod and then go cheap on the reel. I for one started on a St Croix and I have given many away to people getting into fly fishing. I have used a cheap Korean no name reel and never lost a fish because of it.
JR Schmidt(Quote)
that’s easy, Medalist…or Cortland Crown II…as for the rod, I’d just go with an old Wonderod…oh wait, that’s what I fish most of the time…well, most of the time I’m not fishing bamboo…
Randy(Quote)
My nymph fly rod of choice is St Croix Imprial (especially for fat rainbows on the Pit River) paired with a Lamson LP2 reel. Since being bought out by waterworks the LP’s aren’t easy to find, so a Cabela’s LSR1 will work. Whatever you use ,just get out there and get your line wet.
Loren(Quote)
I think someone said it already, the Sage FLI rods are pretty fun.
Dean(Quote)
I like my Okuma Intergrity(5/6) It was $80 with extra spool at my local shop, Its heavy, but I haven’t broken it as quickly as I have broken others in this price range and its got a good drag range and a big fat drag wheel… Even If I paid more for it I would like this reel…
Brett from Utah(Quote)
…er- I mean “Okuma Integrity”….
I spell well enough- I just don’t type great…
Brett from Utah(Quote)
Personally, I think the Pfluger Medalist that was mentioned before is ideal. For fresh water guys like me, not a lot of reel is nessesary, a functioning brain however is….hmmmm, that explains why I get skunked so often.
Gregory Horwitz(Quote)
Personally I think a great setup would be a Ross CLA 2 reel and an Echo rod. I own a coupla Ross reels, they’re great, and threw an Echo all day long at the Golden Gate club. Good starter rod.
Guido
Guido(Quote)
I’m a fan of the TFO rod… my 4 wt Pro series (at about $160) is actually my go to stick over my Winston… the reel is clearly NOT your most important weapon, unless you are encountering 22″+ fish on a regular/daily basis… I fish 3x floro whenever I can, which means I rarely have to put a 14″ fish on the reel… the fight is over and done with in a few seconds and the fish is back in its feeding lane be the time some anglers have ended the fight… so… go with the Pflueger President for $100. You can put a $45 DT line on it.
I did get my hand on an Echo and liked it though… so might sub in the Echo for the TFO.
Bjorn(Quote)
It’s easy, I have a Orvis Clearwater on my St. Croix and a Battenkill on my Sage. Both under $100 easy. Why even read any other posts :)
Jon(Quote)
Lets see……… a good setup for a beninner should last for a while – why buy it if you ain’t gonna abuse it. I would recommend a Scott A3 and a Ross Flycast. $75 for the reel and $295 for the rod. That setup would get you going and keep you in the game for a long time.
Jeff(Quote)
I am submitting another response in fail of Ross; $50 for a new reel and they will honor repairs, warranties, etc. whether you buy their cheapest reel or their most expensive.
For those of you who nominated the Phleuger Medalist I thought of that out of the gate as wee; but 30 bucks or so for a used reel is not comprable to a new reel.
Tom- I don’t know you from a whole in the wall but have read your blog (which are intuitive, intellingent, witty, and sarcastic in an appropriate manner) for awhile (20+ months). I haven’t seen any of these modern DVD fishing films and feel as though I am the leader in the clubhouse as I’m curious what criteria could be used other than the 1st reponder to your post (and I acknowledge there are numerous other valid posts as well). If I don’t win I will forego my birthright to the new DVD in lieu of more bikini postings. Hopefully you do not include you or your lab in any of those postings………..although that could be entertaining!!!
Jason(Quote)
Lamson Konic or Radius
G.Loomis Venture Series or EastFork
I like reels with drag systems. Even a click-pawl drag is nice on the lightest of reels. Anyone ever have a dragless reel overshoot line and backspool? You will spend more time on the banks untangling line than fishing.
Brian(Quote)
Crap this contest was fixed. Smithhammer is going to win.
Smithhammer always wins.
castingoutloud(Quote)
Can’t go wrong with a lower end Ross reel and your choice of say a Sage launch, Echo, TFO, St. Croix rod…spend the money you save on a good IPA.
AC(Quote)
Since I am a Wannabe Flyfisherperson, my first-and only- fly rod & reel is a Cabela’s combo; maybe 70 bucks at the time.
Funny, PM says, “But novice anglers often make the mistake of overdoing the last part, loading up on unnecessary and expensive equipment.”
But then proceeds to recommend a newbie spend almost $400.
That’s great to support the economy but is it really necessary?
I can not catch fish with $70 worth of stuff as well as with $1,000 worth.
A. Wannabe Travelwriter(Quote)
I am a fan of the $75-100 start up kit. Your local fly shop sells these, as well as the “large stores”. For $100 you can get on the water and get a line wet. If you hate it, hey it was only $100, if you love it then spending more in a season or two won’t be a problem. We got started for very little, after 3 years when we wanted to upgrade our rods, we had experience enough to see what worked for us, and what we liked.
Bubba Zinetti(Quote)
Buy a 4 piece rod. It will make you ally happier. I started with a few 2 piece rods before I learned the beauty of a 4 piece.
Jon(Quote)
I can see the sense in the cheap starter bundles for a true novice, someone who’s never fished at all. I took a slightly different approach. While new to fly fishing: the technique, I already knew I enjoyed fishing: the sport in general. Being about 99% certain I would enjoy fly fishing and stick with it, I saw little point in spending money on kit I could virtually guarantee I would replace within a year or less as my skills outgrew the gear.
For $100, I could get a pretty good reel or be better than halfway to a pretty good rod, either of which I’ll potentially use for years and years. If you’re confident you’ll be in the sport to stay, I’d consider this the more prudent approach.
MHH(Quote)
For a first reel and for the money, I would go with a Battenkill Mid Arbor. Hard to beat for the money, easy to find and will last a long time.
Josh S(Quote)
If you haven’t considered it yet, check out the TFO or Temple Fork rods. The Pro Series is the way to go for the budget minded at $129 to $150. The rods fish like rods three times there price and for just over $200 you can go for the TiCR or TiCRx Series which fish like an $800 Sage or Winston. But if you are just learning, make sure you don’t end with a rod which is to fast for your abilities. Granpa’s old bamboo rod and a nice fiber glass rod leave you lots time on you back cast to perfect your technique.
I would disagree with some of the folks above that you should spend more money on your reel second, making sure you have some good line and know whether you need floating or sinking line is more important. Good luck!
John D.(Quote)
I actually have a St Croix imperial 6 weight that was given to me. I like it. And I have it paired with a Lamson Radius which I absolutely adore. Drag is great, and it’s dead silent.
Mike V(Quote)
We’d hoped to test the new St Croix Imperial rod (against the old classic model), but St. Croix never responded. The Lamson stuff is uniformly good, and their Konic reel is a definite “best buy.”
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Dang darn it…..I thought the line was meant to come from the top of the reel and I was meant to wind backwards….
Give me a strip of bamboo, some fence wire, a roll of string and some feathers and we can go fly fishn. Custom gear!!
Myth Buster(Quote)