I went out on Thursday - mainly I was trying to fit some time in between Olympic hockey games. Too bad the US lost to Canada again - both men and women. It was probably a bit too cold for wading - at least water temperatures were almost too bitter. It was almost 70 degrees which made the frigid water a bit more bearable in shorts and portage shoes. I didn't feel like squeezing into the waders that used to fit me and have a leak in the crotch that I can't seem to fix - it's in a seam.
I landed several spotted bass on my Shucker pattern (currently listed on ebay -http://www.ebay.com/usr/riverwalker74). Out of five people, myself and only one other caught fish. Yes, it was a crummy creek. One that has a lot of spotted bass but so many folks walking the banks and wading that the fish are very skittish and hard to catch.
And yet, there I was with my new Trout II reel from Allen. It seems a tad large for my TFO 5 wgt. but balanced well. I have abstained from spending a lot of money on a rod or reel because I mainly lolligag on streams for bass and panfish. I don't make long treks for trout and don't pack a travel case with rods for a trip to Canada. I bought a TFO Signature Series II because all my 5 wgt. rods are medium/heavy action GLoomis rods. I decided to spend a few bucks on a quality reel. Why? 1. I have somehow ruined click and pawl reel drags. 2. I want to be able to send it back for repairs or buy an extra spool to switch out between sink and float lines. 3. Reels made from aluminum cores last longer (at least with my use). 4. The gears and drag are protected from sand and tiny pebbles. 5. Allen sent the reel to me with right hand retrieve as requested because there is no way I could do it. Now that I look at it, I would be afraid to even attempt it.
I have had Lamson, Scientific Anglers, Cortland, Shakespeare, White River and GLoomis reels. All of them do a good job but let's face it, reels aren't just for holding line. I just bought an 8 wgt. from Allen Fly Fishing (allenflyfishing.com) and want to match it with their Alhpa III which is a priced at $145. After thinking about how many times I will be using it compared to the many more times I wade with my 5 wgt., the Cabela's WR3 reel which matches perfectly in weight and color (only $30) will do just fine.
Sometimes, quality does matter - or maybe the right gear can make for a comfortable and enjoyable outing whether the fish are biting or not.
I am sold on Lamson myself. My 8wt has taken a lot of salt abuse down south and pike up north and my konic has held up very well. That Allen looks great though, keep us up to date on how it works out.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Lamson I had but sold it on ebay. The screw somehow sheared off the back of the handle when I shut the gate of my Blazer on it. It had an easy release for the spool and the drag was good. Pretty light too. With all the wading I do and some of it in some dirty water, I want a reel that will last.
DeleteJosh, very impressive reel and I like the color. It really does depend on what you ask of your reel in your most common fishing situations. Sometimes a good drag and high functioning reel technology is important. In other cases. simple click drag reels is all you need. That being said the Allen is a beautiful reel that I am sure you will enjoy for a long time. I fish with an even cheaper reel from Cabela's and I am fine with it most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 Cabelas WR reels that I like a lot.
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