Can someone tell me....

[Nautilus]

What the ultimate enthusiast fly reel and maybe rod would be? I want something rediculously nice and very unique looking. Do they make a Titanium reel?


Thanks in advance!!

[Nickk]

the ultimate fly fishing enthusiast would look much more muted, say a House of Hardy reel on a cane rod, for modern possibly a Brackett era Winston, for vintage perhaps a Paul Young or Payne. You should really just make your own,

run a search for Len Codella

[GamblerHydra]

I second a winston rod, but if you really want to get crazy you can.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choi ... t_id=12889

[Nickk]

or you could go modern enthusiast and get a Sage with a Van Stahl(though I don't find Van Stahl reels attractive myself). I think the set up should be appropriate for what it's use will be.

[tibor01]

If you want something that is truly unique and of awesome quality, you cannot go past the Abel Super Series reels anodized in whatever colors you like. If you have a look at their website you can see that you can also get them anodized in "Fish" colours. I myself have just ordered a Super 9 in the "Dorado" finish along with the special Abel Arm. The drag systems on them are brilliant as smooth as can be. I already have a Super 5 and a Super 8. If you plan on Fly Fishing the Salt, I would match it up with a Sage Xi2 rod or for fresh, the new Sage Z Axis rods are beautiful.

Aaron

[Nautilus]

Thank you guys! I like newer modern types rather than super rare vintage. I found some Titanium reels but one guy needs 10 ordered before he makes them and only has 3 now. He has a patent submitted for the "Dream Reel" which he won't talk about......sounds like something nice to me.

I could not find the ABEL website.....those sound right up my alley....thanks for letting me know. The Van Staal was another good idea.....I always liked the looks of their spinning reels and am looking for something similar in my first fly reel.

What size do I want for bass and panfish? Light enough to be fun but strong enough to land that occasional big one.

GH and Nick, The Winston was actually a rod that I had already heard of.....my brother always tells me that I don't spend much on tackle until I buy a Winston........I guess that statement is partly why I am here asking but I want cutting edge and aesthetics rather than heritage and brand name recognition.....I'm not saying Winston is either, I don't know yet.

[tibor01]

Hi There,

Have a look here http://www.abelreels.com/
You have just got to get an Abel, simply the best!!!

Aaron

[backcast]

Charlton made some of the finest, most functional fly reels ever made. In the late 90's or early 2000's they were bought by Scientific Anglers, and SA continued to market / sell their reels. Then they quit. The reels have become extremely collectable and they can still be found. Their Titanium reels were spectacular (so I hear). I owned a couple of the lower end reels and sold them for 3 - 5X what I paid for them. Here is a link.
http://www.flyfishing-reels-online.com/MCharlton.htm

As for extreme rods, you should first state whether you want graphite or bamboo. The latter can get crazy expensive, and there are 3 -4 rod companies making real special graphite / (both type) rods.
Winston (both types)
Thomas & Thomas (both types)
Sage
Scott

[Nautilus]

Thanks Guys! Yeah, those ABELs look awesome!! Thanks for the link!

I suppose I'll start with a graphite rod so I have time to learn exactly whay bamboo rod to buy since they are so costly. I don't really want to dive in to that genre just yet.

I saw a fly reel one time that blew my mind with its unique, tough, drilled out looks but I can't remember where I saw it or what it was. It did not look like a regular fly reel....anyone have an idea, please let me know.

[GamblerHydra]

If your not going to spend the money on bamboo, then go boron. The winston rods are about as good as it gets.

[DUZBASS]

IMO- Tibor makes the the best reels out there, and they truly are for the enthusiast, beautiful to look at and the apex of performance. http://www.tiborreel.com/

I also love Winston rods, I own somewhere around 10 of them and love every one. But, the real enthusiast rod, graphite at least, would be these.

http://www.troutrods.com/

Tom Morgan was a former owner of Winston and designed a number of their most popular graphite rods that are still produced today. I was lucky enough to get the 8'6" 5wt, what a gorgeous rod, and fishes like a dream.

I will take some photos of some of my stuff tonight so you can see what some of it looks like.

[Nautilus]

DUZ...those are awesome.....thanks for the links. Your personal collection is more than impressive as well. I'm excited about realizing there's a whole new genre of high-end fishing gear that I haven't even learned about yet.....I won't be bored for quite some time!!

GH...I WILL spend the money on bamboo but I think I better take my time and make sure I won't find something better a week after I buy it. BUT, I want quick satisfaction so a boron rod will be soon in my hands........any suggestions? You'll have to be very descriptive since I know nothing about this stuff. Thanks for the help, again!

[kingsriverrat]

Be careful about the issue of balance here. Balance is very important to having a good or great casting feel to a combo. If at all possible, put the combo together and feel it before investing in two super parts that stand at the top on their own, but just don't make a good marriage.

Keep in mind, bamboo can be very light.

[Nautilus]

Thanks for the tip kingsriverrat......I'll definitely remember that!


I like the looks of these reels and the name isn't too bad either!! They do camo anodizing and any other colors you want too!!

[JustinNJ]

I only fish charlton reels for salt. my dad had a titanium one but he sold it nicest looking fly reel ever