Re: [VFB] Automatic Spring Loaded Fly Reel I bought

[DonO]

Chuck, I had an automatic reel when I was just a wee lad.  I remember fishing ponds, bayous, and brackish water with it, catching lots of bluegills and small bass, and even some garfish.  I also remember it didn't last too long.  The spring could be pre-loaded by tightening the 'dial', putting extra tension on the mainspring.  Then pulling out the line for the cast would tighten it all the way.  I think it had a clutch to keep it from overtightening, resulting in a 'range' of operation.  As the spring got older, the range got smaller.  I remember dragging small gills across the surface of the water until the power dropped off.  Then the mainspring had to be wound again before the retreive could start again.  Hauling in a bigger fish was a different story once the main spring was weak.  I never broke a tip, as Tony said, but I can really see how easily that would happen if the line wrapped the tip under full tension with a little inertia to assist.   I would check out the line, see what it is.  It is probably an old straight floating line with no tapers.  This is good for real close quarters casting, like you have there in ponds and lagoons.  Since the water is usually dark or muddy down there, with a lot of weeds, long trout leaders aren't necessary, especially with flourocarbons.  More times you're trying to cast a popper underneath overhanging trees rather than trying to get a natural dift with a dry fly.  If it is an old line, of the vintage of the reel, then you'll proably have to treat the line (mucilin) to get it to float high again.  There is mucilin out today with silicone added to make it float better, too.   DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: vfb@troutnet.com Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 10:03 PM Subject: [VFB] Automatic Spring Loaded Fly Reel I bought Folks: I bought a old K-Mart special spring loaded "Automatic" Fly reel the other day at a Pawn Shop because it was just ten bucks, and has what appears to be a new line on it. Any pros??? Cons??? Should I just save the new line and put the reel up as a collectible???? If anybody does use them, in what conditions etc???? This was the first one I'd even seen since I was a teenager, so I figured it was a bad invention???? Also, is there anyway to retighten the spring without having it fly all over the room when I take the side cover off. I will reel in the whole (Looks to be about 90 ft of line), but is just kinda weak in doing so..Thanks in advance.Chuck No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.8/260 - Release Date: 2/14/2006