Classic reel recommendations (3/4wt)

MarshRat

MarshRat

Steelhead
Hey y’all

I’ve been fishing a Lamson remix on my modern graphite 8’ 4wt. I picked up the reel at Sierra on clearance a few years back. It’s great, came with the extra spools, works well, nothing wrong with it. However, I just can’t shake the fact that it’s got no soul to it. It’s handy, gonna keep it, but I want to add a more classic reel to the line up, something with character.

I want to go spring/pawl. Reel foot needs to fit modern rods, and retrieve needs to convert to LHW. Current market isn’t doing it for me- I’ve handled the orvis battenkill but didn’t get along with the blue-ish nickel color, the Redington zero was too funky. I’d love to bring life to a vintage/used reel. I have a 1495 medalist as a loaner, but it feels cheap, sounds cheap, and has a lot of plastic to it.

Would love something like an old Hardy Uniqua, but don’t think they convert to LHW. Thinking maybe Orvis CFO? JW Young Pridex? Older style Ross Colorado? Would love recommendations along these lines as I peruse the big auction site.
 
Your focus is right on with Orvis CFO and Ross Colorado (V 1.0). Hardy LRH or old Sage (made by Hardy) 504 would also be solid choices.

I have older Hardy lightweight series - Princess, St. Aidan, and St. Andrew - and they are really good reels, but honestly their quality is lower than the CFO and Sage 500 series, and even lower than the Ross Colorado (V 1.0) IMO.
 
It also depends on other considerations like budget, construction type/quality, weight, etc. I have some Pflueger Gem 2094, Pflueger Sal-Trout and Hardy Lightweight, they all get some use. Nice thing about the Hardys is that there are a number of clones made by Heddon, Daiwa, Berkley, Eagle Claw (probably in that order of quality, although I do not own a Eagle Claw clone), clones are much cheaper and easier to find in thriftstores and they often have interchangeable parts with the Hardys.
 
Couple suggestions in the used reel market. I have always liked the Orvis Battenkill midarbor reels and used them on my 3 and 4 wt rods. They came in silver. A real favorite is the Hardy Marquis. Over the years I gathered some Hardy-made clones - the LL Bean silver guide series and the Scientific Angler System 5 (?) - and used them on bamboo rods. The Hardys have classic styling but the Battenkills seem to have better build quality.
 
A couple others J Austin Forbes, Diawa, Cortland, Scientific Anglers. The Douglas reels aren't retro but have a classic look to them. Leland fly fishing has some clones. I always liked the look of the old Lamson purist. One thing to consider is if you want an exposed spool rim to apply more pressure.
 
I'll second the Sage 504L. Fits the foot criteria, easily change retrieve. Plus loads of soul. Downside is that it's collectible so the price is inflated.
Seriously though... light years of mojo.
 
I'm mostly a 2 hander guy so I have lots of clickers, but my favorite is still the little Ross Colorado 0 on my 3wt glass. Great little reel that is going on 25 years without showing any wear. A 1 on a 4wt seems perfect.
 
Yard Sale said:
I'm mostly a 2 hander guy so I have lots of clickers, but my favorite is still the little Ross Colorado 0 on my 3wt glass. Great little reel that is going on 25 years without showing any wear. A 1 on a 4wt seems perfect.
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The older Ross Colorados' are hard to beat...
 
Yard Sale said:
I'm mostly a 2 hander guy so I have lots of clickers, but my favorite is still the little Ross Colorado 0 on my 3wt glass. Great little reel that is going on 25 years without showing any wear. A 1 on a 4wt seems perfect.
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I’m probably alone here when saying this, but the perforations in the 0 really irks me. I love the solid frames of the 1-3. I’ve bought that reel multiple times thinking I could live with them but sold it off pretty quick. I know, weird. I also prefer heavier reels so would have liked a bit of extra weight. Weirdly I like the perforations in say, the original Abel TRs.
 
mcswny said:
let’s start here. What’s your budget?
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Great question, should’ve mentioned in original post. I’m hoping $100-$200 will get me something solid, don’t need anything rare but want it to feel well-made. I’ve owned Abel, Tibor, Hatch and I don’t want to go that route with this setup.
 
Hey @MarshRat,

Have fun in your search. Not a click and Pawl, as its a Disc Drag but The M2A Reel, from "The Fly Shop", in Redding California, may suit your style. Classic look. Well made. A Friend has the reel and its top notch. Ive got their L2A Reel, a step up in construction and price. Tis has become my Primary, Dry Fly Reel, for my 4 weight.

"The Fly Shop"...Good business. Great Customer Service for me, over the last 35 plus years.

Let us know what you go with.

Bob
 
MarshRat said:
Great question, should’ve mentioned in original post. I’m hoping $100-$200 will get me something solid, don’t need anything rare but want it to feel well-made. I’ve owned Abel, Tibor, Hatch and I don’t want to go that route with this setup.
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In that range I think an (original) Ross Colorado 1 would be absolutely perfect. Classy, but not to old to where they’re all trashed.
 
Scslat said:
Look for a Lamson LP 1.5. Classic looks and a solid build. I have several that I use on 2 through 4 wts. You can often find them online for about $100.
View attachment 174316
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Yes! The LP Lite ones are true spring pawls, whereas the LPs are a disc drag with a clicker noise maker. Both great reels but the Lite is probably what you’re after.
 
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