newtontoney 57 Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Iv got a TFO BVK 2 reel and im happy with it.....just wondered what other people are using ?...I fly fished alot in the uk years ago but have just started to get into it again after about 15 years, the gear has changed alot since then ! I went for a mid to low range reel, but noticed some of the sage and abel reels are up there in price.....are they really worth the coin or are you just paying for the name ? Some fly reels are in excess of 1000 bucks , what do you get for the money ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaltyFlyer 298 Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Lots of stares......... If coin is not a problem, then pay the 1k..... but really? If our Tarpon were as big as Florida's, well then pay the monies. But alas, unless you plan to do Game Fishing up North.. Stick with a basic to low-range model...... same goes for the rod too... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
no_idea 48 Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 I like to see the responses here newtontoney as I'm currently looking for a fly rod and reel and have asked myself if the price tag on alot of the gear is justified. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheBerg 241 Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 Your better off spending the extra money to upgrade your reel on some good quality fly lines. Any fish that your likely to tie into down here fly fishing can be stopped by palming the reel. Any saltwater use with your reel will just need a good clean after. In my opinion, save your money for mid range gear when starting out. Especially in SA as your likely to do some creek bashing when your looking for new spots. No sense scratching up your 500 $ Abel reel etc. Most reels in the upperrange get you better drag, bearings, fully enclosed etc. All great and if I could afford a 1000 dollar reel I'd likely get one despite what I've said above BUT the quality of the reel doesn't catch you fish in any event Bait Caster, newtontoney and SaltyFlyer 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sbarnden 397 Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 All the advice I found when starting fly fishing was buy the best rod you can afford, then the best lines you can afford and finally whatever reel you can get with the money left over. Unless you are chasing large game fish the reel is just a line storage device. If you are going to chase bigger fish which in SA would be large salmon, mullies, kingfish, snapper and tuna then you will be a better reel but anything large arbor with a smooth drag should do. The insane prices for fly fishing gear is more of a status symbol than anything. Like it is in any hobby really. I've caught up to some good sized barra on my entry level Orvis encounter 8wt combo with no issue. TheBerg, newtontoney and SaltyFlyer 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChuckTseeker 425 Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 I agree with sbarnden the reel is just a line storage system. I started with a real cheap silstar reel, BUT! that was too cheap and the foot broke so i bought an ABU Fly Max and still use it today has been a great little reel. I did upgrade to have a better reel when my mother went to England years ago and got me a Scientific Angler "System 2" reel dirt cheap with no taxes which is a very nice reel and worth the extra money! I got into Saltwater Flyfishing and bought an Okuma Integrity I 10/11 that reel has been ok for what i wanted BUT! the finish is not that good and i must of not cleaned properly sometime as it has a little corrosion on it doesn't affect the reel just looks a little dodgy Matched to an ABU Gold Max IM6 Graphite rod the combo wasn't that dear, picked the rod up when fishermans paradise closed to move shops As sbarnden said spend as much as you can on the rod it is along with the line the most important bit! I went with a quality Killwell rod from New Zealand for my main rod and matched with my System 2 reel makes a great light outfit. I have always used Cortland fly lines but there are many good brands out there. I would go with the simple Double Taper line to start with then move on to the line that best suits the conditions you fish, slow sink,, quick sink, weight forward, intermediate, etc etc. Love my fly fishing wish we had rivers and lakes like the other states hope this helps a little Cheers Chuck SaltyFlyer, wilda and newtontoney 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Bream Reaper 103 Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Harfin fly reels: AUSSIE MADE! world class quality and custom colours available Very competitively priced. I am currently getting my third anodized/finished keenfisho, projoe, Bait Caster and 3 others 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bait Caster 113 Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Had a brief look at these. How heavy are they? Any chance you have a weight for the 5/6 weight? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SaltyFlyer 298 Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Nice reels, mid to high price range, like the LR110W. If had the coin, would love to give that a crack on the SBT's.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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