Chuck,
I have to agree with the already stated Temple Fork
Outfitters fly rods. I have 3 fly rods. The most expensive one is
the 3 wt Rainshadow blank by FF@ Lister Rick Kuntz. I have a sweet
G.Loomis GL2 5wt that I paid $135 for and my TFO 7wt 4pc I got for
something like $110ish b/c the fly shop I got it at was going out of
business. Had I had more available cash at the time, I'd've loaded
up on more rods at the time. I've cast my friends lower grade
rods. They cast fine, but aren't as 'fast' as what I use. They
still catch fish and handle steelhead as well.
As for reels - I think you're confusing drag with
anti-reverse. Anti-Reverse is where line is able to go out (a fish
running) and the reel handle doesn't turn. There's a whole line of
those reels and they're not cheap. Drag is where pressure is put on
the spool or inner part of the reel that varies the tension required
to pull the line out. The handle will turn backwards as this
happens. On big runs, some people (me included) will palm the
reel/rim to add additional drag to slow the run. Caution is required
here as the reel handle hurts like Orvi$ when is hits your knuckle
and most likely it'll hit it 3 times before you have a chance to
cringe and pull your hand away. As for reels, I'm a big fan of the
Okuma line of reels. Decent quality for a low price. I've had
steelhead run on them hard and the drag system not flinch. Probably
my only complaint might be that the bearings be alittle
nicer/smoother. I've seen some high end reels and marveled how you
can give them a spin and they spin and spin and spin. Sadly the
Okuma reels don't. None the less, they have yet to let me down.
Any questions?
-->Garry
Yahoo!Messenger: garrysflys
At 07:33 PM 1/13/2006, you wrote:
Folks: My Rod and Reel combo is a Wal Mart elcheapo that My Kids
gave Me for Fathers day 2004. I want to upgrade ASAP... But talk
about confusion as to WHAT to buy... I see reels from $39.95 to
$700.00. Rods from $59.95 to $900.00, and Combo's from
$79.95-$10000.00. Then, I see cork drags, Teflon drags, stainless
steel drags, and composite graphite drags... My reel don't really
even have a drag system. You flip a button and it either had a
silent NO drag, or a clicking very slight drag. Do these disc drag
systems on the better reels I'm talking about have a drag system
work like a regular bait type reel??? From basically zero drag all
the way to line breaking drag??? And the rods come in 2-3-4-5and
I've even seen 6 piece. Is a lot of pieces just for convenience when
traveling???I know the thickness, or thinness in my case will
dictate the type system I purchase. But how does one know what is
good, what is bad??? etc etc.. Is it like the saying "You get what
you pay for" pretty much, or are there any less expensive combos
that ARE very good??? I'd probably want to buy a "combo" as they
tend to be cheaper than buying separately...Thanks in advance for
any help, Chuck
