Thoughts on Budget Reels?

I'm adding a new rod and need to add another fly reel, since I'm moving my nice reel to the new rod.

There aren't any fly shops in the area where I can check in - I'm down here in tiny Port Orford - and would appreciate hearing from NWKA members.

It's for my Eagle Claw Featherlight 5-weight rod - which I'm keep because it's too much fun to stop using.  I use it on the small coastal streams in the area for rainbows and cutthroat.

You could call me an "enthusiastic beginner" who's learned to cast and catch fish, and am sticking with it.

I prefer a drag system over pawls, but what I'm more concerned about in a reel is fitment.  The first stamped tin reel I owned had a gap between the spool and the frame that drove me crazy until I bought a better reel.

I trolled CL and am seeing 6, 7 up to 10 weight reels, but nothing a bit smaller.

What are your thoughts and experiences?  I'd like to carry an idea of what I want to look at when I make the trudge to a distant fly shop.

www.lelandflyfishing.com might get you close to what you need.

If you're seeing 6wt reels that interest you and in your budget go ahead and use it. It will work just fine, and everyone can always use more backing, right?

Also check out Allen reels. They make nice stuff that's pretty budget friendly

www.lelandflyfishing.com might get you close to what you need.

In my slippery budget range (it gets larger even faster than my descriptions of the fish I catch), the Red Truck Premium is a nice-looking reel and the gold-tone is on sale at a great price right now.  I'm drawn to the old-school round holes in fly reel spools.  So thank you for the link.

If you're seeing 6wt reels that interest you and in your budget go ahead and use it. It will work just fine, and everyone can always use more backing, right?

Good point!  The Eagle Claw is not a light (weight) rod and I'll give larger reels more thought.  I hope the next rod will be heavier, for steelhead, and a smart shopper will plan ahead.

Appreciate it.

Just hit me: look at your local sports authority in their fishing section too if you're looking for bargain basement.

Also check out Allen reels. They make nice stuff that's pretty budget friendly

Those Allen reels are nice, too, and they've got a 15% off special on their website.  The Trout fits the line weights I use most often, and I wish the Alpha was offered for line weights from 6 to 8.  They also have a sealed drag (not that the micro-trout I catch put much demands on a drag) which might be best for someone who still has brain boogers and is known to lay his stuff down on sandy banks and beaches.

So, now I have two good recommendations.  Thanks!

Just hit me: look at your local sports authority in their fishing section too if you're looking for bargain basement.

I'll do that, but my local SA is (probably) right next door to the nearest fly shop - 200 miles from here.  Sometimes there are downsides to living in a small rural town.  This quest is one of those.

I'll definitely stop in when I go on my hands-on buying spree.

Not sure how close you are to bimart but they usually have 1 or 2.

Not sure how close you are to bimart but they usually have 1 or 2.

They're closer; only 52 miles   

The Okuma Sierra is a good one for the price. I've used a couple of them for years and have no complaints.
Cabelas will sometimes have a sale on their white-labeled ones too, if you're looking for something with more bling. (At the smaller line weights, the reel is just jewelry anyhow. Too bad I'm a sucker for shiny things)

The Okuma Sierra is a good one for the price. I've used a couple of them for years and have no complaints.
Cabelas will sometimes have a sale on their white-labeled ones too, if you're looking for something with more bling. (At the smaller line weights, the reel is just jewelry anyhow. Too bad I'm a sucker for shiny things)

And I'm a sucker for round holes in the spool!  Thank you for the suggestions.

I'd second the Okuma Sierra. Especially for what you want to do with it.

I'd second the Okuma Sierra. Especially for what you want to do with it.

I have aspirations to catch something bigger and more obviously a fish!   

I'll take a look at the Sierras, too.  This is great!  Thanks.

Does anyone know about the Lamson Konic?  It's been mentioned to me, too.

While you are looking at Okuma, also look at the SLV.  I have been using the SLV for both my trout/bass rod and on my steelhead rod.  I have been really happy with the drag system while fighting bigger fish.

Does anyone know about the Lamson Konic?  It's been mentioned to me, too.

Lamson is just a cool company. For any of you that know bikes, they also created the Headshock for Cannondale back in the 90's. They were conceived in Idaho too, so I consider them local. The Konic is a great looking/feeling reel, but I've never used it. Had one in my hands for purchase on 3 different occasions, and all 3 times I decided I didn't need another fly reel. They've come highly recommended by a few different fly shops as well. Whenever I buy again it'll either be Lamson or Allen.