Best Fly Reel Poll

[justgopen]

Who makes the best fly reel hands down. Based on quality, design, and performance?

[Gideon]

You forgot Van Staal. Their c-vex totally sealed drag is a thing of beauty.

[Carpbell]

I have a number of fly reels and while I do like Abel reels they are really overpriced. The new Galavan reels are qulaity, and while I have had Abel's give me trouble my ross reels never have.

[Jchoppas]

I don't fly fish much but my brother does, and all he runs are Winston rods paired up with Ross reels. He tells me that they are the best reel for the money. He has had problems with Bauer's cork drags breaking up.

[Shimanoman]

Is there any reason that Tibor reels have not been mentioned??Regards,-Shimanoman

[Shimanoman]

Another 2 marques which are conspicuous by their absence are the venerable and,dare I say it , ever popular Pflugers and Penns. Was this just an unhappy oversight, or a deliberate snub?? Regards,- Shimanoman

[CTFisherman]

I just bought a new Ross Rythm fly reel. Its in the moderate price range of around 200 dollars, but it is an awesome reel. The drag is made of delrin, is self lubricating, doesn't fluctuate from heat or cold, and is a relatively baisc reel that just has an awesome drag on it. Its lightweight, over an ounce lighter than the other reel I was considering (the Orvis Battenkill Mid Arbor), and has a larger arbor than most standard fly reels to retrieve line VERY quickly. I love it, and now I'm a diehard Ross fan.

[davej]

I have two of the Abels one a 3# and one on a 5#, a Ross & Ross on a 3# and I just picked up a Charlton 8350 for my new 4#. I was told these Charlton's are now limited due to the company being bought and are going up in value. I haven't tried it yet, looking forward to trying it out on the West Branch in Deposit NY (just up past roscoe) I had my Abel bind last year and lost a huge brown. The guide shop took it apart and couldn't find any line, dirt, leaf etc... in the drag. We looked closely at the cork for any memory impressions, can't figure it out. I mostly fished this year's trip with the R&R and landed a 19inch Rainbow and 21 inch brown both on the 3#. No problems, drag worked great. Planing on going to VT soon, water here in NJ is too warm.

DJ

[nirrad]

I'm a fan of my Lamson reel myself

[tibor01]

For me its a hard decision between Abel and Tibors. I can't believe Tibors weren't in the list. I have 2 Abels, a Super 5 and a Super 8 (in custom camo colours, man they look awesome) and I also have 2 Tibors, an Everglades and a Freestone. The quality of Abels and Tibors is simply brilliant.

Aaron

[Heavy Doody]

Elkhorn is the only reel I will own.

[gq]

Well, I do not know if I should vote [ I did though] since I do not have much experience with those listed reel companies with the exception of three; hardy, ross, and abel reels. They are good reels, I see them in the shop from time to time. But only one that holds up in the conditions I've seen but I like my reels better.

I have a couple orvis reels and a scientific anglers.

I have been using my orvis reels extensively. I know they aren't ranted on much, but they have yet let me down. I own a [old school] DXR and a Mach. I have yet had a bonito or tunny on the line to test out the drag to the full extent but I hope to do so. [ Only fly fish saltwater, trout I think of power bait] [oh forgot I fly fish for salmon too but that doe not involve a 5 weight for me, so I guess I fly fish 8 wt and up; may change my mind this coming spring]

So yeah I like my Orvis reels. They have yet failed me in performance and quality. The warrenty is great too. As for service well I think that is dependant on locality and personality. And I work there too.

My scientific angler system 2 reel is great too, but in the end after 6 years of abuse it is not performing above the level of which I need it too for the since I learned to fly fishing with it and age and dropping it around has retired it.